2023-09-20 02:47:32
Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Cliff Kingsbury sees more than a few similarities between Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes and USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams — a player his former team might be in position to draft less than a year from now.
There’s eerily uncanny similarities (between Williams and Mahomes) – it’s cool to watch,” Kingsbury told Sports Illustrated.
The Cardinals are off to an 0-2 start in 2023, and many expect them to pick high — very high — in the 2024 NFL Draft. Arizona has its own first-round pick next year along with the Houston Texans‘ first selection. Even though Arizona still has the injured Kyler Murray under contract, the chance to get the big-armed Williams — last year’s Heisman Trophy winner and a “generational” prospect under center — might be too tempting to pass up.
New Arizona Cardinals coach makes awkward speech giving strange demands
Cardinals nearly had Mahomes
In a real “sliding doors” moment for the Cardinals franchise, Arizona was waiting for an opportunity to select Mahomes in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft…only for the Chiefs to trade up and grab him instead.
Kansas City traded three selections — including two first round picks — to move up to 10th overall and take Mahomes. And as they say, the rest is history. Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVPhas led Kansas City to two Super Bowl wins and is widely regarded as the finest quarterback in the NFL.
Kingsbury and Kyler Murray showed some promise in the desert — but not enough to stop the franchise from moving in another direction.
The Cardinals later hired KingsburyMahomes’ former coach at Texas Techand paired him with Murray following they selected the Heisman Trophy winner at the top of the 2019 NFL Draft. Murray has twice been a Pro Bowl selection since heading to the desert, and he’s now outlived Kingsbury with the Cardinals — although many are wondering if Arizona’s new regime will want to find its own quarterback in 2024.
Enter Caleb Williams.
Will Caleb entice the Cardinals?
Kingsbury drawing comparisons between Mahomes and Williams may not impress the Cardinals‘ new brain trust all that much — but it is an interesting parallel to note, seeing as Arizona is largely expected to pick twice in the top five of the 2024 NFL Draftgiving it a chance to draft Williams if he declares.
Williams is expected to go first overall in 2024 — but who will be picking?
Williams’ father has said that his son might not come out of USC if the right organization isn’t picking first, but most fans and analysts believe ths slippery star quarterback will make himself available for the draft anyway. And if the Cardinals ultimately decide to move on from Murray — and his huge contract — you can bet Williams is the guy they’ll be following as they try to secure their very own Mahomes.
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