We’re not quite at the silly time of the NFL calendar. That will come a few months time when the 2018 season gives into free agency and trade talk.
This doesn’t mean that there’s not going to be a lot of rumors and innuendo floating out there. That includes the Cleveland Browns and the future of head coach Hue Jackson.
In his third season as Cleveland’s head coach, Jackson boasts a nearly inconceivable 2-33-1 mark. Should these struggles continue through the remainder of the season, it’s logical Jackson will be given his walking papers.
If so, NFL insider and MMQB scribe Albert Breer believes that the Browns will put in a call to Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley.
.@AlbertBreer tells @BullandFox there is so much left to figure out with Hue Jackson's future as #Browns head coach. How it looks (direction + record etc) at end of year will play major factor…"if they were going to make a move, I think they'd make a call to Lincoln Riley."
— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) October 3, 2018
Given that Riley coached the Sooners during Baker Mayfield’s Heisman-winning 2017 season, this makes all the sense in the world.
At just 35 years old, Riley boasts a 17-2 overall record in one-plus season with Oklahoma. He led the program to the CFP last season and will be a hot commodity moving forward.
Whether this means Riley has any interest in bolting Norman for the disaster that has been the Cleveland Browns remains to be seen.