One of the Bears’ offensive coordinator candidates could provide a clue that the team plans to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Kliff Kingsbury, the former Cardinals head coach who spent last season as Williams’ quarterbacks coach, is expected to interview for the Bears’ vacant position, per ESPN.

Kingsbury would be a departure from the candidates the Bears have previously shown interest in — most have been offshoots of the Mike Shanahan favored by the 49ers, Packers and Rams, among others. Mike’s son Kyle is the 49ers head coach.

Coordinator candidates linked to the Bears have all come from that background: former Panthers coordinator Thomas Brown; Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson; Eagles assistant Marcus Brady; former Ravens coordinator Greg Roman; Seahawks quarterbacks coach Greg Olson; Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron; 49ers assistant Klint Kubiak; and Kentucky coordinator Liam Coen.

Kingsbury ran the “Air Raid” offense — a spread, pass-heavy offense — as the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech from 2013-18. Patrick Mahomes was his star pupil.

Kingsbury was named the Cardinals head coach in 2019, where he was paired with No. 1 pick Kyler Murray. He was fired after last season before joining the Trojans.

He has one tie to the Bears — tight ends coach Jim Dray was an offensive assistant under Kingsbury from 2020-21.

Interviewing Kingsbury would be shrewd for Bears general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus, if for no other reason than to gain further insight into Williams. If the two are convinced Williams is the choice, Kingsbury would be a good match. In the one season the two were paired together, Williams threw 30 touchdowns and five interceptions.