Lincoln Riley is all the rave of NFL fans. Every team looking for a head coach wants to stick their toe in the water to see if Riley will get the itch to test out the NFL. Riley is obviously very happy with his current gig at the University who will get a chance to play in the College Football playoff for the 2nd year in a row. If his former quarterback Baker Mayfield has his way, Riley will take a job with the Browns.
Speaking on WKRK-AM in Cleveland on Wednesday, Mayfield was asked if Riley is up for the task of the NFL and he didn’t hesitate with praise:
“Lincoln’s been ready,” Mayfield said. “The respect level he’s had from all of his players. He’s ready, but that’s his decision.”
Riley may or may not test the NFL but does he really want to do it in Cleveland? Sorry Browns fans, but that city is a dump. Cleveland does have some young talent on the roster but this is the last ownership group I would trust. Hell, they had leaks about Condoleeza Rice (unless Schefter made that up). If I’m Riley, the Cowboys are a much more attractive option if Jason Garrett gets let go.
I’ve been a fan of Riley for a long time. He fooled me into thinking Shane Carden was an NFL starting quarterback. He took East Carolina into a legit contender. Oklahoma’s offense is arguably the best in the country and it’s because of Riley. With how innovative the NFL is becoming, I don’t see how Riley wouldn’t thrive in that environment, as long as he gets a quality defensive coordinator.
Mike McCarthy and Bruce Arians may be options for Cleveland. Freddie Kitchens, the current Browns offensive coordinator, was Arians quarterback coach in Arizona. Arians has already said he would come back for the Browns job.
