The Bears are really going through it. Rough weeks have stacked on top of each other, with no relief following the defensive failure on a Hail Mary in Washington. The team has been in a full-on tailspin since then, but not in the way one might expect.

The defense didn’t tank after a major mistake. They’ve rallied pretty well as a matter of fact, save an end-of-half touchdown run against Arizona that was bad but ultimately didn’t cause that Cardinals loss.

RELATED CONTENT:

• Shane Waldron out as Bears offensive coordinator, Thomas Brown promoted into that role
• What Bears fans need to know about new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown
• Bears must “adapt and adjust” to new OC Thomas Brown
• Counting on Caleb Williams: Coach Dave Wannstedt, advanced stats, analyze Bears QB

The offense, however has gone in the literal tank. That prompted Matt Eberflus to change offensive coordinators. Shane Waldon is out. Thomas Brown is in.

Whether that change can push Caleb Williams and the offense toward better remains to be seen. It must happen, like, right how, to save a season with margin for error largely eliminated.

Whether the Bears can do that, and how they can do that, was a frequent topic of conversation in our mailbag. We’ve gotten a significant boost from adding a question/comment form at the bottom of each article (including this one), so please keep the great questions coming. Honestly, there were far more than I could address in one edition of Bair Mail.

If there are enough great comments, we’ll expand this series to accommodate you all. Promise. The more questions/comments we get, the more you will be heard in the Bears conversation. You can also have your question featured on the Bears on the Marquee podcast and aired on Marquee Sports Network, which is a sweet bonus.

Let’s see what’s on your mind in this Wednesday Bair Mail:

Charles Griffin from Chicago

So glad they got rid of the OC. He had no imagination, didn’t use his tight ends. We have a damn good tight end and not for just blocking. We have weapons, no imagination how to use them. It takes a combination of using your running backs, tight ends and wide outs. Like I said he had no imagination. Let’s see if the new OC have some imagination. Or else this team is done, put a fork in them.

Bair: I understand the premise of your comment Charles, but I don’t think imagination is what the Bears need from new coordinator Thomas Brown. It’s more about understanding the roster and its weaknesses (injury-related or otherwise) and playing to its strengths.

More than anything else, that’s what did Waldron didn’t so. And not being able to create player belief in what he was doing.

Brown will be using the same playbook. It’s about identifying plays that can make life easier on quarterback Caleb Williams. It’s about taking some burden off the No. 1 overall pick and a banged up offensive line. It’s about creating opportunities for profit, even if they’re small, over the risk of negative plays.

The tough part about this: Williams and Brown don’t have the luxury of a bye to create sync. They’ll do so in a regular practice week, needing to be in lockstep to keep the offensive operation in a good flow. That means Brown must get good plays in early, finding ways to stay on schedule and using all the targets available. I don’t think Brown needs to be imaginative. That gets you speed options on the goal line and handoffs to an offensive lineman. He must be pragmatic, realizing how to work well with what he has available.

Betty from Portage, Ind.

The Bears have kept the same head coach for several years with no positive results. It’s time, right now, to change coaches and maybe the rest of the staff. We stink. The coach should be replaced now, before the whole season is lost.

Bair: The Bears just let their offensive coordinator go during the season for the first time in franchise history. They’ve never done that with a head coach, and I can’t imagine the Bears setting a second precedent.

There are a few reasons why. Matt Eberflus is a really good defensive play caller, and he has set an excellent defense up well for success. Removing him from this team will hurt the franchise’s best and most stabilizing unit. The Bears need him, in my opinion, for continued defensive success. They also won’t gain anything for removing him at this point, as you suggest. The Bears are 4-5, with plenty of opportunity to get back in the playoff hunt. I understand the Bears have the toughest remaining strength of schedule and the odds are slim, but they aren’t minuscule. Beating the rival Packers on Sunday at Soldier Field changes everything.

I also think the Bears have made their move to get better in their most deficient area, the only switch they could’ve made considering they aren’t changing quarterbacks (nor should they) and the starters they have available deserve to be in those spots.

The only way a move on the head coach should be made is if the losing continues and Eberflus therefore completely loses the locker room. Then you let it go and play out the string hoping for better results. Real talk: The Bears aren’t the Raiders right now. Improving play could get this team back right back in it. All is not lost, though it could be soon.

Reades McCoy from Rockford, Ill.

Why don’t the Bears start the game running their version of up-tempo offense? They have more success when doing so!

Bair: This isn’t the worst idea, Reades. And thanks for the thoughtful question. The Bears operate well in a version of the no-huddle that might simply be called an on-the-ball offense. It doesn’t mean they operate at a super-fast tempo, but they’re flexible with their timing lining up without going to a true huddle.

That helps the team stay in a good flow (if they have one), and can give Williams more time to analyze a defense if they’re lined up quickly. It can also take advantage of a defensive personnel package they’d prefer to work against.

The issue with that: you can’t go three-and-out with a faster-than-standard tempo. The puts the defense in a bad spot. I think it’s worth trying earlier in games. Anything can be better than how the Bears have started games this season. They must do better early, and the on-the-ball option could help especially if they find personnel matchups the like. At this point, it’s worth a shot.

Suraj Bhatia from Mount Juliet, Tenn.

With Brisker having missed the last 3 games, is it time to put him on season ending IR?

Bair: Thank you for bringing up Jaquan Brisker, Suraj. He’s such an important part of this defense, and he has been unavailable for several weeks while dealing with a concussion suffered back in Week 5.

This isn’t Brisker’s first concussion, and it’s appropriate to be cautious in situations like this. You can’t rush head injuries, ever. And it’s about the player and how he feels. Football isn’t life, and Brisker must be right and feel comfortable coming back.

To answer your question directly, Brisker has been on the active roster for five weeks without playing. The nature of his availability is about symptoms and not a prescribed recovery timetable. If the Bears decide to shut him down, then IR is an option. They don’t need his roster spot right now, and it’s worth waiting to see how Brisker feels down the road. He’s that good, but the team will understand if shutting it down becomes a realistic option down the road. I just don’t think we’re there yet.