Thomas Brown believes Bears not far away from being threat in NFC

Despite a disappointing 5-12 season that included a 10-game losing streak, interim head coach Thomas Brown doesn't think the Chicago Bears are far away from being a good team.

After Matt Eberflus was fired after a loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, Brown, who had just been promoted a few weeks prior to offensive coordinator, was thrown into the interim role and things did not go well in his five games.

Losing the first four games under his tenure while being outscored by a combined score of 108-45, Brown was able to get his first career head coaching victory in Week 18 over the Green Bay Packers. The Bears were able to rally in the final drive of their season and kick a game-winning field goal to defeat their bitter rival, 24-22.

During his exit interview with the media this week, Brown said he believes that the team is not as far away from success as many may believe, despite playing in a competitive NFC North.

"Obviously a very difficult division, tough division, it's not going to get any weaker," Brown said. "But I think, not as far away as people may think we are, when it comes to those missing pieces. To me it's more about the mentality, the culture change, and the daily approach when it comes to putting yourself in a spot to go compete at the highest level."

Although there was little success under Brown's tenure, he was able to get a direct look at some of the core pieces on the team that drastically disappointed in their season expectations this year.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Thomas Brown believes Bears not far away from being threat in NFC