Currently at 1-2-1 following a tough and controversial 45-42 loss to the Oakland Raiders in overtime, with the AFC North leading Baltimore Ravens up next, things appear to be spiraling downhill quickly for the Cleveland Browns.
The man who could stand to be a possible savior may be Oklahoma Sooners head coach, Lincoln Riley.
Riley, owner of a 17-3 mark down in Norman in one-plus season as head coach of the Sooners, led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff last season with former QB—and Heisman Trophy winner, Baker Mayfield running the show.
Currently, he has the Sooners ranked seventh in the country and another possible Heisman Trophy contender in junior quarterback, Kyler Murray, Riley is set to become a hot commodity for NFL teams hoping to find the next Sean McVay.
Like the 32-year-old forementioned current Los Angeles Rams head coach, Riley is also young at 35, and the Lubbock, Texas native and former QB for his hometown Texas tech had served under college offensive gurus such as Washington State head coach, Mike Leach, Ruffin McNeil of East Carolina and Youngstown native, Bob Stoops.
It’s no secret that the NFL has become an offensive-minded, pass-happy league that values points over defense and considering that under Riley, the Sooners have had one of the most explosive and up-tempo offenses in college football, it would surprise any in the NFL and NCAAF circles if Riley is snatched up by a team looking for and edge.
Could Cleveland be the one to pull the trigger?
According to 247Sports.com and SportsJuggernaut, MMQB insider, Albert Breer thinks that Cleveland may try to reach out to Riley about being their next head coach. Considering the Mayfield connection, current head coach Hue Jackson’s dubious coaching mark of 2-33-1, and Riley’s 34-6 record with Mayfield down in Norman, if one connects the dots, don’t be surprised if Browns general manager John Dorsey has Riley’s number on speed dial.