When the Washington Commanders hired Kliff Kingsbury in the offseason, it fueled talk that they may pursue a trade for the No. 1 overall pick to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
Kingsbury, you see, spent the 2023 season at USC as a senior offensive analyst after taking a year off away from the NFL. At USC, Kingsbury reunited with good friend Lincoln Riley, his former college teammate at Texas Tech. Riley saw the opportunity to add Kingsbury to his staff could benefit the quarterback room, particularly Williams.
Kingsbury wanted to return to the NFL in 2024, interviewing for multiple offensive coordinator positions in Washington, Las Vegas, and Chicago. The Bears went in another direction, and Kingsbury chose the Commanders.
As far as Kingsbury and Williams reuniting in Washington, the Bears were never moving off the No. 1 pick, and the Commanders were locked in on Jayden Daniels at No. 2 regardless. It’s worked out well for both teams. Kingsbury and Daniels look like a match made in heaven, and Williams has played well recently.
The Commanders and Bears meet on Sunday. Williams spoke to the media this week and reflected on Kingsbury’s role in his development.
“He could give me great feedback on this next level that I knew that I was probably heading to at that time,” Williams said via Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune.
“That was big for me being able to listen to him and obviously build a relationship with him knowing the QBs he’s been around and similarities in some of the offenses that I’ve been in……….It was great to have those moments with him. I think it’s helped me for these moments now.”
For his part, Kingsbury also has fond memories of his short time working with Williams.
“Tremendous person, competitor, freaky talent, watching the stuff you do in practice and in the games,” Kingsbury said Thursday. “His ability, his feel, really, really special. I mean, he’s going to be one of the top guys in the league for a lot of years, and so that was cool to get to spend time with him last year.”
Williams and Daniels join the list of quarterbacks Kingsbury has mentored throughout his career, including Patrick Mahomes.
The biggest question ahead of Sunday’s game between the Commanders and Bears is whether Daniels will play. He suffered a rib injury last week and is questionable for Week 8.
