“Of Course” Louis Riddick Would Be Interested in Interviewing For the Bears GM Job

When Louis Riddick was interviewing for general manager openings last year, I thought someone would scoop up one of the hottest names on the rumor circuit. But one year after securing interviews with the Lions and Falcons, Riddick still finds himself on ESPN’s airwaves. And while football fans who are keen to tuning in and getting Riddick’s insight and analysis are the big winners, it is fair to wonder if other teams will want to pry him out of the booth.

Better yet, could the Bears perhaps be a team that piques Riddick’s interest?

Riddick, a regular contributor to The Waddle and Silvy Show on ESPN-1000 in Chicago, was asked by Marc Silverman if a job with the Bears would interest him if the team were to pick up the phone and give him a call. Fair question. And Riddick’s response was an eye-opening one.

“Of course I would listen. Of course. It’s the Chicago Bears, man,” Riddick said during Thursday’s appearance of The Waddle and Silvy Show. “It’s a blue blood franchise. Of course. And you know what … I’ll just leave it at that.”

Oh! Well, then…

Riddick is a “people’s champ” type of potential general manager target. It has been easy to gravitate to Riddick for his thoughts on what’s happening in Chicago. The Monday Night Football broadcaster has offered fair and constructive criticism of the Bears across a variety of ESPN platforms. And for that, Bears fans are thankful. Couple years of honest assessments with a background as a player and executive in the league before sliding over to the broadcast side, and it should be easy to understand why folks have an interest in him being someone the Bears talk to when (if?) their GM gig opens.

And for what it’s worth, Riddick was sounding like a guy who knew what he would want to do if he had the job. Theoretically, of course. His 50,000-foot view from above exploring the Bears’ needs are the words of someone who seems to have the pulse:

“Do they need more fortification in the back end? More secondary players, more ball hawks? More playmakers? Yes. Are they going to need to get younger as far as pass rushers are concerned? Yes. Let me go to the other side.

Are you going to need to get another offensive tackle? Yes. Is Teven Jenkins going to need to make a big jump? Yes. Could you use more depth from guard to guard, including center? You sure could. Do you need an alpha number one wide receiver? A true number one? You sure do.

Do you need someone who can really connect with Justin Fields, and develop his drop back game so as to then marry it with his outlandish physical talent and ability to get outside the pocket and create and just really threaten people with his athleticism. Yeah, you do.

Can that all be done in one offseason? Probably not. But you sure can make them good enough to where they are at the very least, an 8-8 football team. If not better than that.”

Candid candor? Check. Genuine commentary? Double check. Truthful insight? Triple check. Straightforward analysis without talking around obvious issues? Yep. All of it. None of what Riddick said is shocking or untrue. But it’s always nice to hear it from someone with his platform. And while Riddick said the Bears didn’t reach out to him while he was at Soldier Field, it doesn’t sound like he’ll turn down an interview opportunity if it happens.

Of course, in order for this to go down, Riddick would likely have to fire his friend as his first act of loyalty — which could make for some fascinating drama.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

The NFL is Playing a Christmas Day Doubleheader in 2024

Christmastime is generally full of cheer. And in 2024, it will be full of cheering. In fact, we're talking double the cheer. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the league will play not one, but *TWO* Christmas Day games. It's...

2024 NFL Mock Draft: How High Can J.J. McCarthy’s Stock Rise?

Hard to believe we're less than a month away from the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft! With just weeks remaining until the NFL's most noteworthy offseason event, there are plenty of rumors floating. As we work through all...

NFL Rules Shakeup, Tomlin on Fields, Trubisky’s Linsanity Run, and Other Bears Bullets

The Bachelor's season-finale had a couple of jaw-dropping moments. Once the group chat catches up, it is going to be lit. What better way to start Bears Bullets than with breakfast anecdotes? I think I'm going to enjoy D'Andre Swift's...

Around the NFL: New Kickoff Rules Explained, NFL Trade Deadline Extended, More

NFL owners ratified a sweeping overhaul of the kickoff play on Tuesday, embracing a format inspired by the XFL following three days of deliberations at the league’s yearly gathering. Essentially, the new format relocates the bulk of both kicking and return teams...

Latest News

Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 28

There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Thursday postseason college basketball schedule, the Clemson Tigers versus the Arizona Wildcats. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best Pac-12...

Rays vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Tampa Bay Rays are moneyline favorites (-135) to begin their season with a home win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on MLB Network.Tampa Bay's Zach Eflin gets the start, and he'll go...

Astros vs. Yankees Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Houston Astros start their season as home favorites (-156) in a matchup with the New York Yankees on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on YES from Minute Maid Park.Framber Valdez will get the ball for Houston while New...

Tigers vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Detroit Tigers begin their season as -178 favorites in a road tilt against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on BSDET.Detroit's Tarik Skubal gets the start, and he'll go against Chicago's Garrett Crochet.Tigers vs....

Reds vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cincinnati Reds open their season as -153 favorites in a home matchup with the Washington Nationals on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on MASN2.Frankie Montas will get the ball for Cincinnati while Washington will counter with Josiah Gray.Reds...

Dodgers vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Los Angeles Dodgers (1-1) will look to Will Smith, red hot after a four-hit game, to lead them in a matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals (0-0) on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET on BSMW. The Dodgers are -235...

Marlins vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Miami Marlins are moneyline favorites (-132) to begin their season with a home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on Sportsnet PT.Jesus Luzardo will get the ball for Miami while Pittsburgh will counter...

more bears news