Chicago Bears fans have found themselves in the midst of early-season speculation regarding their head coach, Matt Eberflus. While the Bears sit at a 1-1 record, national pundits have already begun stirring the pot, suggesting that a poor stretch could place Eberflus’ job at risk. One of the more intriguing voices comes from Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd, who raised the possibility of Lincoln Riley, the current USC head coach, becoming a potential candidate to replace Eberflus.

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Cowherd, known for his hot takes, stirred the conversation during a recent broadcast, proposing that the Bears’ next few games could determine Eberflus’ future. “If they lose three of the next four games, you will hear Lincoln Riley rumors,” Cowherd boldly stated. Though he later conceded that Riley likely wouldn’t be interested in leaving USC, Cowherd’s comments have ignited discussions about Eberflus’ status and the future of the Bears organization.

Bears’ Critical Stretch

At the heart of this speculation is the Bears’ upcoming schedule, a crucial juncture for the team and its leadership. With their quarterback Caleb Williams looking to find his rhythm and the team struggling to establish consistency, Cowherd’s suggestion of coaching rumors has added more pressure.

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Cowherd’s argument rests on the connection between Williams and Riley, who coached the quarterback during his college career at both Oklahoma and USC. “The biggest concern for Chicago is that every single red flag that we were concerned about has already surfaced in two weeks,” Cowherd said. From offensive line struggles to concerns about coaching competency, he believes the team’s trajectory could lead to bigger problems if not corrected soon.

How Eberflus is Viewed Within the Bears Organization

Despite Cowherd’s speculation, insiders suggest that Eberflus still has solid support from Bears General Manager Ryan Poles and ownership. As the man chosen to lead this new chapter, Eberflus was hand-picked by team chairman George McCaskey, whose history with previous coaching hires, like Dave Wannstedt, suggests patience rather than impulsive decisions.

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While Cowherd’s commentary may raise eyebrows, it is far from reflective of the Bears’ typical approach to coaching changes. The franchise rarely makes midseason moves, and even with a rocky start, Eberflus is still seen as part of the long-term plan.

Lincoln Riley and the Coaching Fantasy

Cowherd’s theory hinges on the idea that Riley would be linked to the Bears because of his relationship with Caleb Williams, but the reality of this scenario playing out seems far-fetched. Riley is enjoying tremendous success at USC, where his team is poised to make a strong push in college football this season. Leaving for an NFL team with instability is unlikely, especially given the challenges of the Chicago job.

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Moreover, the Bears are not known for pursuing high-profile college coaches. The organization tends to favor professional experience, a characteristic that Eberflus embodies.

The Road Ahead

The Bears’ next stretch of games will be pivotal, as they face teams like the Colts, Rams, Jaguars, and Cardinals. Cowherd’s suggestion that these games could decide Eberflus’ fate is not entirely off base in terms of importance, but the notion of a coaching change so early in the season remains speculative at best.

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One thing Cowherd does get right is the importance of structure for young quarterbacks like Caleb Williams. The Bears need to solidify their offensive strategy and provide Williams with the right tools for success. However, whether this leads to rumors about Lincoln Riley or a coaching change remains to be seen.

For now, Eberflus remains firmly in place as the Bears’ head coach, but as Cowherd’s comments have shown, the world of professional sports is never short of speculation.