NFL Trade Rumors: Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints Request Interviews With Washington Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury

The Washington Commanders may soon become victims of their own success. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints have both requested interviews with Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury regarding their head coaching vacancies.

#Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury has received requests from the #Bears and #Saints, sources say and Chicago would signal a reunion with Caleb Williams.

Kingsbury was asked if he wanted to be an HC again: “At some point. We'll see how everything plays out, but I'm very happy here." pic.twitter.com/mPWixUnLso
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2025

Kingsbury got his first shot as an NFL head coach in 2019 and was eventually fired following the 2022 season, but it's been an eventful two years for the former quarterback. He served as a senior offensive assistant for the USC Trojans in 2023, contributing to quarterback Caleb Williams' final college season. Williams was later drafted first overall by the Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft.

In 2024, Kingsbury took over as offensive coordinator for the Commanders, overseeing a sensational rookie season from second-overall pick Jaeden Daniels that included 12 regular season wins and an impressive 28.5 points per game, both the most for any Commanders team since their legendary Super Bowl-winning 1991 squad.

Even Kingsbury's failures in Arizona look less troubling in hindsight. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has regressed in recent years since making two consecutive Pro Bowls in 2020 and 2021, winning only 11 of 25 games and passing for a modest 226.0 yards per game since parting ways with Kingsbury.

Kingsbury would be a solid choice for the Bears. Above all else, the Bears must prioritize positioning Williams for success with their next head coach. The former Heisman Trophy winner disappointed in his rookie season, netting 4.88 yards per dropback and absorbing an NFL-high 68 sacks. Kingsbury's experience with Williams and his success with elusive quarterbacks like Daniels and Murray would make him a logical fit.

As for the Saints, they have a much murkier path to a quick turnaround. They lack a long-term prospect at quarterback, yet their 5-12 record in 2024 has them picking ninth in the 2025 NFL Draft. Kingsbury's best trait is his success with young quarterbacks. Unless the Saints love a quarterback at the top of the draft and are willing to make an aggressive move up to acquire him, they may be better off pursuing a veteran coach who can incrementally improve the roster and the team culture over several years.