From the moment it was revealed that the Washington Commanders interviewed Kliff Kingsbury on Saturday for their offensive coordinator vacancy, rumors swirled about a potential trade-up for USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
Kingsbury spent the 2023 season at USC as a senior offensive analyst under head coach Lincoln Riley, where he worked closely with Williams.
On Sunday, Washington hired Kingsbury, and the NFL’s preeminent reporter, ESPN’s Adam Schefter, joined in on the speculation.
Let the speculation begin: Kliff Kingsbury coached Caleb Williams last season. Williams was a standout QB at Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C. The Commanders currently hold the No. 2 overall pick and are in striking distance of the No. 1 pick that belongs to Chicago. https://t.co/P9uZYvY648
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 5, 2024
Williams is expected to be the first pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The Chicago Bears hold the first pick, and Washington will select second.
When Kingsbury was hired on Sunday, Williams was paying attention. He took to his Instagram page to congratulate Kingsbury on becoming the offensive coordinator of Williams’ hometown team.
Here is Caleb Williams excitedly congratulating Kliff Kingsbury on his new job via Instagram. I'm sure everybody will act in a calm, reasonable way and not jump to any conclusions. pic.twitter.com/QBTsAQSAQt
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) February 5, 2024
The Commanders hiring Kingsbury may not mean anything as it pertains to Williams. Remember, the Bears hold all the cards. Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye are also considered locks to be selected in the top five of the draft and both would fit in Kingsbury’s offense.
These next few months should be fun.