The Chicago Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Tuesday, hoping to shake up a unit that ranks among the worst in the NFL.

Offensive passing game coordinator Thomas Brown was promoted to offensive coordinator.

The moves come with the Bears (4-5) mired in a three-game losing streak and the offense in a free fall after an offseason overhaul highlighted by the arrival of Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall draft pick.

Coach Matt Eberflus said Monday that changes were coming in the wake of a 19-3 loss to New England at Soldier Field, though he wasn’t ready yet to announce them. He said the decision on whether to retain his offensive coordinator would be “mine alone.”

“After evaluating our entire operation, I decided that it is in the best interest of our team to move in a different direction with the leadership of our offense.

“This decision was well-thought-out, one that was conducted deliberately and respectfully,” Eberflus said Tuesday in a statement. “I would like to thank Shane for his efforts and wish him the best moving forward.”

Cowboys QB Prescott to have season-ending surgery>> Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has decided on season-ending surgery for his torn hamstring. Owner Jerry Jones says Prescott will have the surgery Wednesday in New York.

The decision comes with the playoff hopes already fading fast for a team that has reached the postseason the past three seasons.

Prescott was injured in a 27-21 loss at Atlanta on Nov. 3.

He was on the sideline a week later for the 34-6 loss at home to Philadelphia.

The Cowboys have lost four consecutive games and are 0-4 at home. Cooper Rush struggled filling in for Prescott against the Eagles.

Steelers LB Highsmith to miss showdown with Ravens>> The Pittsburgh Steelers will head into their AFC North showdown with rival Baltimore without outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says Highsmith is “week to week” after Highsmith twisted his left ankle late in a 28-27 victory over Washington.

Highsmith suffered the injury while chasing down Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the fourth quarter. This is the second time this season Highsmith has missed time. A groin injury forced him to sit out three games earlier this season. Highsmith will be replaced in the starting lineup by either Nick Herbig or Preston Smith.

Raiders TE Mayer returns after missing 6 games>> Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer returned to practice Tuesday. He has not played since Sept. 22 because of personal reasons. Mayer was placed on the non-football illness list on Oct. 11.

That meant he would have to miss the following four games. Mayer is a second-year player. He started the first two games this season and played in three. He caught four passes for 21 yards.

The Raiders traded up last year to draft Mayer in the second round out of Notre Dame.