The Chicago Bears absolutely torched the Cleveland Browns 34-10 in Saturday’s preseason win, but the headline isn’t just the score. Wide receivers coach and assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El took the playcalling reins in the second half, and the offense erupted, scoring 24 unanswered points and piling up 235 yards in a commanding performance. It was a half that screamed future head coach, and the entire league better pay attention.
El Showed Out, And His Coach Saw It
Head coach Ben Johnson didn’t mince words after watching Randle El orchestrate that second-half surge. Johnson told reporters, “I thought he did a phenomenal job with [quarterback] Case [Keenum] taking the reins and then transition on over to [quarterback] Miller [Moss] just to see how he was trying to stay in their wheelhouse.” He highlighted Randle El’s involvement in the quarterback meeting the night before, discussing the call sheet and player favorites. It was clearly a massive experience for El, and Johnson stressed that the players absolutely “rallied around that as well.” Even Keenum was all-in, telling reporters, “I know he’s going to be a head coach.” When your players are saying that, you know something special is brewing.
The Rise of a Future Leader
Johnson doubled down on his praise, stating he believes El “has got a chance to be an offensive coordinator in this league. I think he’s got a chance to be a head coach in this league.” Johnson, who brought Randle El to Chicago after working with him in Detroit, clearly thinks he’s a phenomenal talent who deserves more credit. Randle El isn’t new to the big stage; he’s a former NFL wide receiver who played nine seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington, even helping the Steelers win a Super Bowl. He’s been honing his coaching craft with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Detroit Lions, and now the Bears. His experience as a player and his coaching journey are clearly paying off big time.
The Bears themselves have been on an upward trajectory since Johnson arrived in 2025 with Randle El on staff. They jumped from last in yards and 28th in points in 2024 to sixth in yards and ninth in scoring in 2025. They even made the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and won a postseason game for the first time since 2010. With quarterback Caleb Williams expected to make another leap, the Bears are poised to be a playoff contender. This success, especially with the spotlight on Randle El’s playcalling, will only make his star shine brighter across the league. He’s a name you’ll be hearing a lot more about.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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