Commanders’ Kliff Kingsbury on Caleb Williams: Don’t Want to Break Him Down Right Now

Doric SamFebruary 16, 2024

Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After being hired as offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders, Kliff Kingsbury isn’t ready to reveal much about his hand in developing USC quarterback Caleb Williams during his time as offensive coordinator of the Trojans.

“I don’t want to break him down right now,” Kingsbury said of Williams during his introductory press conference on Thursday, per NFL.com’s Nick Shook. “I’m still trying to evaluate our own roster and go through that. I mentioned I loved being around him. Tremendous person. I had fun at USC.”

By joining the Commanders, Kingsbury put himself in position to potentially continue coaching Williams. Washington owns the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft and will likely be seeking a franchise quarterback. In the most recent mock draft, B/R’s NFL Scouting Department predicted that the Commanders traded up with the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 pick to select Williams.

“It’s easy to envision a world where the Commanders hire Kliff Kingsbury with the express purpose of trading for Caleb Williams,” Bleacher Report scout Derrik Klassen said. “In that world, regardless of what you think of Kingsbury, the Commanders would greatly benefit from doing so.”

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner thrived in his two seasons with Kingsbury as his play-caller. Williams also has the traits that Kingsbury described as ideal to work with at the NFL level.

“The Chiefs quarterback,” Kingsbury joked when asked what traits he seeks. “… I do think the game, as you can see, you watch those guys, [49ers quarterback] Brock [Purdy] and [Patrick Mahomes] at the end. When money’s on the table you’ve got to be able to make some plays with your feet. Move around enough to escape a bad play.”

Williams undoubtedly fits that mold, so Kingsbury surely would relish the opportunity to continue coaching him at the NFL level.