Lincoln Riley, head coach of the USC Trojans, has previously been mentioned as a potential candidate for NFL coaching positions.
Although speculation surrounding Riley’s NFL prospects has cooled in recent years, FS1 host Colin Cowherd believes that could change soon.
During a recent episode of The Herd, Cowherd hinted that Riley’s name could resurface in connection with the Chicago Bears, should the franchise hit a rough patch in their current season.
The Bears, now in the third year of Matt Eberflus’s tenure, have posted a 1-1 record as they prepare for their Week 3 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
“I’ll just throw this out there: If you look at their schedule, if they lose three of the next four games, you will hear Lincoln Riley rumors,” Cowherd said.
He specifically pointed to Chicago’s shaky start and difficult schedule, believing that a string of losses could lead to conversations about Riley replacing Eberflus as head coach.
While Riley has been linked to NFL teams before, Cowherd made it clear that the USC coach might not be eager to jump to the professional ranks just yet.
“Now I don’t think Lincoln Riley wants it,” he said. “He’s got a great staff at USC. He’s going to beat Michigan. They’re going to be 3-0. They’re going to be a top five, six, seven team. You’re not going to take that job. That’s not a good fit for Lincoln Riley.”
One key factor adding fuel to this speculation is Riley’s connection to Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Riley coached Williams during all three years of the QB’s college career, a relationship that could make Riley an appealing option for Chicago if they part ways with Eberflus.
However, for now, the Bears seem willing to give Eberflus the entire 2024 season to prove himself.
Eberflus, who currently holds an 11-25 record with Chicago, is hoping to improve on last year’s 7-10 finish after a disappointing 3-14 campaign in 2022.
While the possibility of Riley jumping to the NFL is still just speculation, it has Bears fans wondering: would Lincoln Riley be the right fit to lead the franchise if Eberflus’s struggles continue?
Riley sure has his critics, and many feel he’s much more of a college coach than NFL coach – but it’s an interesting scenario to think about.
Do you think the Bears should consider going after Riley if Eberflus continues to struggle???