4 perfect coaches to make Bears QB Caleb Williams a star after firing Matt Eberflus

The Chicago Bears finally pulled the trigger, something even the least dedicated football fan could have expected. Head coach Matt Eberflus, who posted a 14-32 record and lost six straight games after No. 1 pick Caleb Williams started 4-2 as a rookie, was fired.

The only bright spot in this painful losing streak was Williams, who took big steps in the right direction by playing the best ball of his young career. To take that next step, he needs the help of an offensive mind who can highlight his natural talents as a player.

Chicago needs to avoid hiring another defensive coach like Eberflus, who never understood the offensive side of the ball with the Bears. These four candidates all make a lot of sense as a pairing with Williams.

4. Thomas Brown, Interim HC, Chicago Bears

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. In three games against division opponents, all of which feature top-10 scoring defenses, two of which were on the road, Williams posted numbers that would put him on pace for 4,686 yards and 28 touchdowns in a full 17-game season. He also set a record for most consecutive passes by a rookie without an interception.

Despite his stint as an OC in Carolina last year, Brown is a highly valued follower of Sean McVay who will be in demand if he isn’t acquired by Chicago. If he’s already developing a special relationship with Williams, the most talented quarterback the Bears have had in years, he could stay.

3. Todd Monken, OK, Baltimore Ravens

Monken may have come into the NFL for the second time with a reputation as a crazy bomber who loves the deep ball, but he changed his philosophy on the fly to help Lamar Jackson. In his first season in charge, Jackson won an MVP and could be on his way to another in 2024.

Monken’s move to Williams would allow him to show the full extent of his wonderful arm talent, which could be the best way to prove that the Bears have finally sorted out their quarterback situation.

2. Cliff Kingsbury, OC, Washington Commanders

Kingsbury worked with Williams during his college years at USC and the results were so exemplary that Caleb was selected No. 1 overall. While his offense slows down in the second half, Kingsbury mostly did a great job with No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels in his rookie year.

Kingsbury has head coaching experience. Although it ended badly, he led the Cardinals to the playoffs with the league’s worst record in three years. His second attempt with Williams might be a little more productive.

1. Ben Johnson, OC, Detroit Lions

Johnson is at the top of every team’s wish list of head coaching candidates, and that makes sense after turning the Lions into an offensive machine that can beat any team into submission. Johnson will have a choice of offers if he decides to finally take the reins from Detroit.

Johnson would immediately give the Bears a flash of creativity they need at the higher levels of the organizational chart, because the work he’s done to take Jared Goff from good to great is remarkable. Any quarterback who gets Johnson as their coach would be very lucky.