The Thomas Brown era officially begins this week. A rapid ascent of a young coach who is highly thought of around the league will get his opportunity to showcase his skills in the last five games.
While some are concerned about his sudden rise from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator to interim head coach, this is an opportunity for him to sink or swim. He might as well get baptized and prove himself, whether with the Bears or some other team.
The attention now focuses on how Brown impacts the rest of the team. He has been widely lauded for his attention to detail and his energy. In his press conference, he clearly distinguished himself as a leader, a skill that was sorely lacking under Matt Eberflus.
The story of Brown's chance of becoming a head coach and whether Williams can still finish with 4,000 yards will likely dominate the headlines. But the next five games are just as important for every player on the roster. Here are five players to keep an eye out for the rest of this season.
5. Tyrique Stevenson and Terelle Smith
Stevenson has been supplanted by Smith ever since the Hail Mary game against Washington, which exposed his immaturity. Since then, his confidence seems to be gone and his play on the field has suffered as well. His attitude both on and off the field will have to be monitored closely by both Brown and interim defensive coordinator Eric Washington.
Smith has taken advantage of Stevenson's transgression, although it would be a stretch to name him the starter next to Jaylon Johnson in 2025 just yet because, in my opinion, he has not made enough plays. The next five games could play a pivotal role in determining both Stevenson and Smith's NFL careers moving forward. If neither stands out, the Bears might have to draft another cornerback in 2025.
4. Tremaine Edmunds
This season, Edmunds has not been making enough plays to justify the $72 million contract he signed last season. It is too early to talk about him being a cap casualty. The Bears would have to eat a lot of dead cap money even if they release him next off-season. But coaching change usually means they clean house by getting rid of players from the previous regime.
He is only 26 and his best football days are still ahead of him. Hopefully, with Eric Washington in charge now, he will be put in a position to make more plays the rest of the season. His future with the Bears is riding on it.
3. Austin Booker
After dealing with a boring outdated defensive scheme under Matt Eberflus, new defensive coordinator Eric Washington must make the defense more aggressive and play harder. And the defensive line, which he is in charge of needs to generate more pressure.
Montez Sweat has been banged up and has not been effective this season. After a strong debut as a Bear, Darrell Taylor has also been MIA. At this point of the season, Austin Booker should play more over Darrell Taylor or even Jacob Martin. Booker has held on to his own so far as a rookie and probably needs more reps for his development next season.
With Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold, Jared Goff, Geno Smith, and Jordan Love still left on the schedule, Booker will likely be needed more to see if he can help the defensive line. Washington must continue developing him and unlock his potential.
2. Teven Jenkins
If we are being honest, the entire offensive line needs to be completely revamped next season. This unit has given up a whopping 49 sacks already, the second-worst in the NFL behind Cleveland. At this rate, Caleb Williams could be sacked between 60-70 times. If he suffers any kind of injury at this point od the season, it would be detrimental to his development.
And we cannot avoid any discussion about the offensive line without guard Teven Jenkins, who is a free agent in the off-season. When he is on the field, he is a nasty blocker who pulls no punches. But he has been often hurt in his entire career and this season has been no different. He will get paid by someone but for how much and for how long is a big question. Will it still be the Bears resigning him to a team-friendly deal knowing the risk involved or will both parties move on?
1. Rome Odunze
While it is great to see both Keenan Allen and DJ Moore being more productive recently, Brown needs to give Rome Odunze more touches in the last five games. He's had two 100-yard games, the last one coming against Arizona, and his last touchdown catch came against Indianapolis in Week 3. It is still the only touchdown he has scored this season.
This franchise has never had a franchise quarterback and a wide receiver before. The Bears are fortunate that both players were drafted in the same year. While we can bemoan how much this season has been wasted already by Shane Waldron, Brown is in charge now and he must figure out more ways to give Odunze more touches to help with his development and build chemistry with Williams especially the deep ball accuracy.