Caleb Williams & Lincoln Riley Reunion Bites the Dust as 2 New Bears Coaching Candidates Announced

Mike Eberflus’ final action as the Bears’ HC was an apt microcosm of his tenure. Beaming with hope to turn a corner, but ending abruptly and inexplicably. The debacle at the end of the 20-23 loss to the Lions, where Eberflus didn’t call a timeout and allowed the clock to run out, was the final nail in his proverbial coffin. The Bears’ search for a successor has cropped up a plethora of names. As they seek to kickstart a new era in Chi-town, one person with familiarity with Caleb Williams seemed particularly enticing.

USC Trojans’ HC Lincoln Riley has been a revelation in the collegiate game. From the onset of his tenure in Oklahoma, he’s been consensually regarded as one of the premier offensive minds going. However, his stint in southern California has been trending downward lately. A .500 season has instigated murmurs of a move to the pros. In the wake of the personnel overhaul in Chicago and Caleb Williams’ underwhelming rookie season, Robert Griffin III had a suggestion- hire Lincoln Riley for the vacant OC role- if, of course, Riley would accept. While the offensive coordinator job remains up in the air, it’s now conspicuous that the Bears’ front office isn’t eyeing him for their Eberflus-shaped void.

Yahoo Sports’ senior NFL writer Charles Robinson has leveraged some intel on the Bears’ HC hunt. Speaking on the Inside Coverage podcast, Robinson said, “From what I’ve been told, there’s definitely an appreciation inside the organization for what Dan Campbell has done in Detroit. Super ‘culture guy’ [and] leader. But then also has the whizz-kid offensive coordinator, the brilliant strategist. The two names I have heard [are] Mike Vrable and Brian Flores. Both super strong leaders, big ‘presence in the room’ guys.” 

The Bears’ NFC North adversaries, who ironically ended Eberflus’ reign, are a great point of reference. Another franchise that seemed to be headed nowhere, even while they had a great QB in Matt Stafford. Bringing in a figure of Dan Campbell’s character has infused the organisation with unwavering credence. This has inadvertently translated into a winning culture, something the Bears desperately yearn for. 

In terms of Mike Vrable and Brian Flores, both are names that have been revolving around the head-coaching carousel. Vrable remains out of a job after his questionable and maligned firing by the Titans. He’s been floated as a contender for the Cowboys as well, in case they let go of Mike McCarthy. The Brian Flores operation will prove more convoluted for Chicago to pull off. He’s dispositioned as DC at divisional rivals Minnesota. Alas, Robinson’s decree appears to close the door on Lincoln Riley’s potential arrival. But doesn’t quite shut it off entirely. 

Robinson’s comments are a proponent for Lincoln Riley’s unlikely OC hire

In an ensuing take on the Bears’ predicament, Charles Robinson said “When you’re hiring that leader [type] coach, everybody should keep in mind what is their history when it comes to offensive coordinators. Particularly if you’re really worried about who [the HC is] going to hire to guide your quarterback.” 

The reason for Detroit running the NFC North the past 2 years isn’t just Dan Campbell or the quality roster. That division is deep with talent and coaching acumen across the board. The Lions’ edge, who Robinson referred to as the “whizz-kid”, is OC Ben Johnson. Just from the offensive coordinator capacity, Johnson has been lauded as a key proponent of making his side of the ball hum. His work with QB Jared Goff has been particularly impressive, as he finds himself on the periphery of the MVP conversation. If the Bears do indeed appreciate the Lions’ model, Lincoln Riley fits the bill to be their version of Ben Johnson. 

This does indeed seem too good to be true if you’re a Bears fan. Riley’s contract entails a $90 million buyout. It is safe to assume Chicago won’t consider breaching that gaudy figure for a coordinator. Perhaps USC buy him out and give him the boot, but that is also unlikely. If the opportunity ever presented itself, “quarterback whisperer” Lincoln Riley is indeed the ideal man to get Caleb Williams to realise his ceiling. For now, the Bears will look to secure a head coach who can rub shoulders with his peers in the toughest division in the sport.