The Bears will not retain former interim head coach Thomas Brown, defensive coordinator Eric Washington and other assistants, sources confirmed.
Brown leaves the Bears having done something that Matt Eberflus couldn’t — beat the Packers. His season finale win against the Bears’ rivals was his only win in five games since he was promoted from offensive coordinator.
Brown has interviewed for multiple offensive coordinator jobs this offseason. He wasn’t expected to return when the Bears hired Ben Johnson, who will call his own plays. He interviewed for the Bears’ head coach job this month and for offensive coordinator jobs around the league.
Washington was hired as defensive coordinator at the start of the season and took over as the play-caller when head coach Matt Eberflus was fired the day after Thanksgiving.
The Bears won’t keep quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph, offensive line Chris Morgan or receivers coach Chris Beatty, either.
Joseph was hired a year ago by former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to work with Caleb Williams. Beatty was hired last year to work with former pupils DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. Morgan was the Bears’ offensive line coach for all three years of Eberflus’ tenure.
Johnson said Wednesday he wanted to make sure he met with Bears assistants quickly to give them clarity on their future.
“I’ve been a part of two staffs now as an assistant coach that was let go, and it’s really important that I meet with particular guys already under contract here,” he said. “There are a number of really good coaches that have been here the last few years that I’d love to meet with, but out of respect for them, I would love to let them know where they stand moving forward as soon as possible.”
