The Chicago Bears are expected to ramp up their coaching search after their season finale at Green Bay on Sunday.
One possible candidate for the job has already worked with the quarterback the Bears selected with the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. Kliff Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, was a senior offensive analyst at USC in 2023 when Caleb Williams played his final year for the Trojans after transferring from Oklahoma.
“I know what type of guy he is,” Williams said on Wednesday. “I know he loves football. I know he wants to win. He’s a competitor. And so, in many different ways, I’ve been around him. So, I would say that being around him, knowing him, asking him questions and things like that, I think he fits a lot of the qualities I mentioned.”
When asked about the qualities he values in a coach, Williams explained:
“A coach that challenges myself, whether it’s an offensive coordinator or head coach, and also challenges us as players — whether it’s on the field or in terms of character, it doesn’t matter. Just a coach who challenges us,” Williams said.
“A man of his word. A disciplined coach, meaning whatever his rules are or how he’s going to control and manage the team, things like that.”
The Bears interviewed Kingsbury last year for their offensive coordinator role but decided to hire Shane Waldron instead. Waldron, however, lasted only nine games before being fired on November 12. Just a few weeks later, following a tough loss to Detroit on Thanksgiving, Chicago made history by firing head coach Matt Eberflus during the season.
Kingsbury, a former quarterback, has head coaching experience. He was the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach from 2019 to 2022, with a record of 28-37-1 and one winning season.
As Washington’s offensive coordinator, he is leading an offense that ranks among the league’s best with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders are fourth in the NFL for yards per game and fifth in scoring.
Detroit’s offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, is also expected to be a top candidate in the upcoming coaching search. There are also reports that Pete Carroll, the former Seattle Seahawks coach, is interested in returning to coaching after a one-year break.
The Bears (4-12) have had a disappointing season, especially after coming in with playoff hopes. They started 4-2 but then lost 10 straight games, marking their second losing streak of 10 games in general manager Ryan Poles’ three seasons.
Last year, they ended the season on a 10-game losing streak, part of a franchise-record 14-game skid. The Bears have never lost more than 10 games in a row in a single season.
Team president Kevin Warren has stated that Poles will remain as the “point person” in the coaching search and will have the final say if there’s disagreement on the hiring decision.
Williams mentioned he’s open to giving his input if asked but also respects that management may make decisions without him.
“I know I’m a rookie and a young guy, so if they make decisions without me, that’s their job to make those decisions,” Williams said. “If they make a decision like that, I just hope and believe they make the right decision. If I’m a part of it, great.”
