​It makes complete sense for the Browns to go after Lincoln Riley right now. Baker Mayfield is the team's quarterback for the future, so why not go after the coach who helped him get to where he is?


Well, because Riley just doesn't want to leave his gig at Oklahoma.

​​Of course, even with this comment by Riley, Cleveland has to do everything it can to convince Riley to join its team. The ​Browns have to approach Riley and give them the best offer they can possibly muster. ​Riley's proven to be an offensive mastermind with the Sooners, and has already garnered some NFL interest. 


At just 35 years old, Riley would become one of the youngest coaches in the NFL. An explosive hire like Riley from the collegiate level would mirror Cleveland's overall direction as a franchise.

​​Riley's reluctance to take the job, however, doesn't come as a surprise. Oklahoma is a team that perennially plays in meaningful bowl games and has a winning tradition. It's hard to leave a successful program, especially when the next destination is known as a laughingstock.


Having the task of trying to turn a franchise around and changing the culture of a team would be unenviable for many. However, that doesn't mean that there's no chance of this happening sometime in the future.