Commanders Must ‘Move Heaven and Earth’ for Caleb Williams If Kingsbury Wants QB, Says Analyst
The rumblings surrounding the Washington Commanders potentially navigating a way to land USC quarterback Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL draft have picked up steam recently. This follows the team’s decision to hire former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who spent last season as USC’s senior offensive analyst, as its next offensive coordinator.
Kingsbury’s link to Williams drew an even larger spotlight when the USC signal-caller posted on social media showing love to Washington’s new offensive coordinator. And in the eyes of ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, if Kingsbury is sold on Williams heading into the draft, that should be enough for the Commanders to find a way to select him.
“The right conclusion for Washington is, do what you gotta do to get this guy on your football team. Because nobody in your organization, and I mean nobody knows Caleb [Williams] like Kliff Kingsbury does,” Riddick said on ESPN’s Get Up.
“… If he gives them the stamp of approval, then you move heaven and earth to try and get in position to draft him, because you ain’t going nowhere with the people you got, nowhere. Make it happen.”
"If [Kliff Kingsbury] gives him the stamp of approval, then you move heaven and Earth to try and get in position to draft [Caleb Williams]."
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 7, 2024
—@LRiddickESPN pic.twitter.com/oxWmGUv0NZ
The Commanders currently have the No. 2 pick in April’s draft, and as Riddick points out, they’d likely have to trade up to No. 1 with the Chicago Bears to ensure Williams lands in Washington. It’ll likely take a big package, regardless of who makes an offer for the top pick, due to the quarterback talent available, which includes Williams.
But for Washington, you’d have to envision they’ll be at an advantage with the opportunity to build an offer around the No. 2 selection, which Chicago could potentially listen to offers for and possibly flip for even more assets.