Kingsbury, the former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, spent the 2023 season out of the NFL but on the sidelines as a senior offensive analyst at USC where Williams was playing his second and final season with the Trojans.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner enjoyed a solid ’23 campaign with the help of Kingsbury; his completion percentage jumped two points to 68.6 from his historic 2022 season. Williams also threw 12 fewer touchdowns than in ’22 and USC was non-competitive at 8-5. Still, the QB’s showing was strong enough to merit his selection by the Bears at No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Kingsbury parlayed his season in Southern California into a gig with Dan Quinn’s Commanders. With Kingsbury, Quinn and No. 2 overall selection Jayden Daniels in tow, Washington saw major improvement early, jumping out to a 7-2 record behind the OC and the do-everything rookie QB. However, the Commanders are in the midst of a three-game skid, as the NFL catches up to Daniels and Kingsbury’s offense deals with turnovers and a banged-up backfield.

As Cardinals coach, Kingsbury was paired with Kyler Murray — like Williams, a No. 1 overall pick. Under their leadership, the Cardinals went 28-37-1 in four years, earning just one winning season and making one postseason appearance, a wild-card drubbing at the hands of the rival Rams. Kingsbury was fired following a 4-13 campaign in 2022.

If or when the Bears interview Kingsbury, it will not be the first time. Chicago talked to the ex-Cardinals coach when it was interviewing candidates for its OC position in the 2024 offseason. The Bears went instead with Waldron, who lasted half a season, while Washington added Kingsbury and reaped the benefits.

We’ll see if the two sides are a better fit this time around, as Bears general manager Ryan Poles and Co. send out feelers in the coming weeks.