Antwaan Randle El, the Bears’ wide receivers coach and assistant head coach, took over play-calling duties in the second half of their 34-10 preseason win over the Browns on Saturday, and what happened next was straight-up wild. We’re talking a second-half offensive explosion that has to make everyone in the league take notice.
The Instant Impact
Okay, so Randle El steps in, and the Bears’ offense *explodes*. They racked up 24 points and put up 235 yards in just that second half alone. Seriously, who does that in their very first shot at calling plays? Quarterback Tyson Bagent totally called it, too, saying, “Has anybody ever had a better first outing than Antwaan Randle El? That’s just who he is. He’s always prepared. He knows the ins and outs of the playbook. So really, it was not surprising , at least for us on the sideline.” That’s the kind of confidence you want from your quarterback in his guy! Head coach Ben Johnson was clearly impressed with how Randle El handled that call sheet, saying he “did a phenomenal job.” Johnson noted Randle El was in on the quarterbacks’ meeting the night before, talking about their favorite plays. He added, “I think it was a phenomenal experience for him. I know our guys really rallied around that.” You gotta love seeing a coach step up and the team totally buy in.
A Star on the Rise?
This wasn’t just some random experiment. This feels like a deliberate move to groom a serious talent. Remember Declan Doyle? He was the Bears’ offensive coordinator last year, but Johnson still called the shots. Johnson let Doyle walk to Baltimore to be the Ravens’ offensive coordinator this season. Why? Because the Bears clearly believe Randle El is a rising star in the NFL coaching ranks. They’re convinced he’s destined to run things, like a head coach, in the not-too-distant future. Veteran quarterback Case Keenum echoed that big time, saying, “I know he’s going to be a head coach. I think his demeanor in front of the team, his leadership qualities, are top-notch. Some of the best I’ve been around. His relatability to players? I mean, it’s the fact that he’s been there, done that with just about everything. And there’s no, for lack of a better word, ‘coachspeak’ to him. It’s all real.” That’s a ringing endorsement! Randle El, who turns 47 next week, isn’t some fresh face. He’s a former NFL star receiver who followed Johnson from Detroit when Johnson joined the Bears in 2025. He’s got the player perspective, and now he’s showing his coaching chops.
So, what does this all mean for the Bears? Did they just stumble upon a potential coaching gem, or did Johnson know exactly what he was doing all along? With a second-half explosion like that, you gotta wonder if we’re witnessing the first public steps of a future NFL head coach in Antwaan Randle El. Keep your eyes on him, because if Saturday was any indication, this guy is just getting started, and the coaching world better be ready for it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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