USC quarterback Caleb Williams is taking his talents to the pros, and one of his coaches doesn’t appear to be far behind.
Kliff Kingsbury, who spent the past season as a senior offensive analyst for the Trojans, is expected to interview for the Bears’ offensive coordinator role after Luke Getsy’s firing last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday.
Chicago, coming off of a 7-10 season, currently holds the top selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Williams is favored to be the No. 1 pick.
A former Heisman Trophy winner, the 22-year-old Williams is arguably the best quarterback prospect in this year’s class, which also includes North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
He officially declared for the NFL draft on Monday.
“I still have a lot to learn and I’m ready to do whatever it takes. As a kid, I said this is what I was going to do for the rest of my life, but I didn’t work this hard just to reach this point. I will continue my journey to make that little kid proud of the man I will be for many years to come,” Williams wrote on social media.
“I’m excited for the future, and I am officially declaring for the NFL Draft.”
Williams, who began his collegiate career at Oklahoma in 2021 before transferring to USC the following year, threw 30 touchdown passes and five interceptions this season after winning the Heisman the year prior.
He also tallied 11 rushing scores for 2023.
Though a potential Williams-Kingsbury reunion in Chicago is intriguing, it remains to be seen what the Bears will do with the No. 1 overall pick.
They can either use the top selection or trade the pick away as quarterback Justin Fields is entering a critical fourth year.
Chicago recently underwent a major overhaul with the firings of Getsy and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko.
Head coach Matt Eberflus will remain at the helm.
Kingsbury previously coached the Cardinals from 2019-22 until he was fired last January.