Kingsbury is also the senior offensive analyst
for USC. He coached prospective No. 1 overall pick Caleb
Williams with the Trojans last season, joining the coaching
staff in the spring after being fired as head coach of the
Arizona Cardinals in January 2023.
The Bears have the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft and a decision
to make regarding whether to select Williams or another
quarterback, or stick with 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields.
Chicago traded out of the No. 1 spot prior to the 2023 draft,
sending the pick to the Carolina Panthers for multiple draft
picks -- including the team's first-rounder this season.
Carolina drafted Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and then
finished with the NFL's worst record, securing the top pick for
the Bears.
Even if the Bears don't select Williams, Kingsbury could be
valuable as a coach who has experienced drafting a quarterback
at the top of the draft.
Kingsbury played quarterback at Texas Tech and was head coach of
the Red Raiders --where he coached Patrick Mahomes -- before
jumping to the NFL the same offseason the Cardinals selected
Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.
Williams passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five
interceptions in 12 games this season. Though Williams' numbers
were strong, the Trojans finished with a disappointing 8-5
record (5-4 Pac-12). They won the Dec. 17 Holiday Bowl over
Louisville, 48-28, but Williams decided to sit out the game.
In 2022, his first season with the Trojans, Williams had 4,537
yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions in 14 games on his
way to winning the Heisman Trophy. USC started 11-1 that season
before losing to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game and to
Tulane in the Cotton Bowl.
As a freshman in 2021 at Oklahoma, Williams passed for 1,912
yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 games before
making the jump to USC.
--Field Level Media
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