LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury spent significant time with Caleb Williams during the 2023 college season. He was USC’s senior offensive analyst when the quarterback played his last season there, meaning Kingsbury was at every meeting and practice watching Williams develop.

His role was a unique one, part coach and mentor to someone seemingly set up for big things.

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“I was just kind of a resource there, as much as I could be,” Kingsbury said in a Thursday press conference. “That was the good thing, (USC head coach) Lincoln (Riley) allowed me to be the good cop, and offer any knowledge and anything I could share, particularly with him.

“We already knew where he was going. It was kind of a foregone conclusion that he’d be the first pick. It was just being a resource in any way I could be, helping him mentally prepare for the type of things that were ahead.”

Kingsbury will be on the opposite side of Sunday’s clash between the Bears and Commanders. Williams is starting to show the reason why so many considered him a lock at the No. 1 overall pick.

Kingsbury is helping the second selection realize vast potential. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has been awesome early this season, with only a Week 7 ribs injury slowing an excellent start.

Before diving into the details of the upcoming game, Kingsbury was asked by local reporters about Williams and their history together. His reviews were glowing.

“He works at it. He wants to be great. And he has just insane talent,” Kingsbury said. “Some of the freaky, Mahomes-type throws he can make and the vision, instinct plays he can do and throw off platform was really unique.”

Williams took a great deal from his time with Kingsbury, who was an elite college quarterback who got drafted, a respected coordinator and an NFL coach.

“Talking about football, talking about experiences that he’s had as a head coach, offensive coordinator and things like that at the pro level is what I got from him,” Williams said. “…he could give me great feedback on this next (NFL) level that I knew that I was probably heading to at that time. That was big for me being able to listen to him and obviously build a relationship with him knowing the QBs he’s been around and similarities in some of the offenses that I’ve been in or offense I was in in college. It was great to have those moments with him. I think it’s helped me for these moments now.”

The respect clearly flows both ways, even with these two on opposite sides come Sunday.

“Tremendous person, competitor, freak talent,” Kingsbury said. “Watching the stuff he would do in practice and in the games, his ability and feel is really special. He’s going to be one of the top guys in the league for a lot of years. That was cool to get to spend time with him last year.”

Injury updates

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels missed his second straight practice on Thursday dealing with a ribs issue, but ESPN reports that he’ll attempt to practice on Friday, though that remains uncertain. Defensive backs Jaquan Brisker (concussion) and slot cornerback Kyler Gordon (hamstring) missed both Bears practices this week. Most everyone else is trending to play, with starting outside cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (calf) still limited on Thursday.