Chicago Bears: A potential USC reunion for Caleb Williams; notebook from Senior Bowl Day 2

Quarterback Caleb Williams could be reunited with a familiar face on the Chicago Bears offense after the 2025 NFL Draft. One of his former teammates at USC is having a big week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

The center-quarterback exchange and relationship is crucial to any NFL offense. One center the Bears could take in April played left tackle when Williams was at USC in 2023, Jonah Monheim. Monheim transitioned to center before his redshirt senior year in 2024.

Jonah Monheim is a ‘huge fan’ of Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams

Monheim had a solid performance during practice No. 2 at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

One impressive play included the six-foot-five, 310-pound athlete putting Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander on the turf.

USC’s C Jonah Monheim with a nice pancake of Toledo LB Darius Alexander. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/QJUeS4S8y6

— Jordan Sigler (@JordanSig) January 29, 2025

During Wednesday’s media day, I spoke with Monheim about potentially reuniting with Williams in Chicago. Monheim did not confirm that he talked to Chicago specifically, saying he spoke with numerous teams this week. He wouldn’t be against joining the Bears in April.

“Of course,” Monheim said when asked if he’d like to play with Williams again. “You know, huge fan of Caleb. Loved playing with him. He’s a great guy, great teammate, everything like that.”

Monheim credited USC head coach Lincoln Riley for helping him learn the center position in 2024.

“(Riley) was a great coach, both schematically and technically, and helped our offense, obviously,  a lot once he got in there,” Monheim said. “But, I really think, especially playing center for him this last year, I really got a good feel for what he’s trying to accomplish when we’re going against those defenses, and really how the whole picture looks for the old offense as a center making all those points.”

Related: One offensive prospect loved his meeting with the Bears

I asked Monheim if playing harder competition in a loaded Big Ten conference in 2024 helped better prepare him for the NFL. He didn’t seem to think there was a huge leap in difficulty to the expanded conference; and a conference that was two consecutive national titles.

“Football is football, and there’s some stylistic differences between the conferences, but at the end of the day it was just another opportunity to compete against great programs and great players,” Monheim said.

Mike Kafka on his interview with the Bears

The Bears went on a speed-dating interview spree during their coaching search this offseason. One interesting interview included New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.

I asked Kafka, a native of Chicago who played quarterback for Northwestern, what he learned during the interview process with general manager Ryan Poles and CEO Kevin Warren that would help him eventually land a head coaching job in the league.

Despite being one of many candidates on the Bears list, Kakfa said Chicago’s front office did a “thorough” job during his interview process.

“Very thorough interview,” Kafka said. “There are great people there. I know Ryan, Ted Crews (special advisor to Warren) is in the room, (Chairman) Mr. McCaskey. “I’m from Chicago, so it was an honor to be there and talking to those people because I respect the organization and watched them growing up. So it was cool to be in the room. I learned a lot about myself, obviously, but it was a great experience and a learning experience, one that I can apply in future interviews.”

Kafka said he noticed that Poles has a clear vision for the Bears, and the front office has his back.

Emptying the notebook on Senior Bowl practice No. 2

• We already covered some of the standouts from Wednesday’s practice. This week, several guards and centers stand out, which is perfect for the Bears’ needs.
• Marshall Edge Mike Green showed explosiveness off a snap and pancaked Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. during a one-on-one drill.
• Conerly had a rough practice. After Green pushed him around, the 6-foot-four, 315-pound athlete allowed Boston College pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku to get around him for a sack. ESPN’s Mel Kiper projects Conerly as a first-round pick He’ll have more to prove to scouts on Thursday.

Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku with a nice move to get past Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr.#SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/F3pbaA4lSj

— Jordan Sigler (@JordanSig) January 29, 2025

• The buzz was that LSU offensive lineman Emery Jones had a disappointing Tuesday practice. On Wednesday, had a back-and-forth battle with Texas Edge Barryn Sorrell. Jones pancaked Sorrell when the linebacker lost his footing during a drill. Sorrell got his revenge on Jones at the end of practice, skating by the six-foot-six, 315-pound lineman for what would have been a sack.

LSU #Tigers Emery Jones puts #Texas Edge Barryn Sorrell on the turf.#SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/jipA2HDLin

— Jordan Sigler (@JordanSig) January 29, 2025

• Linebacker Demeritus Knight II had the hit of the day on running back Donovan Edwards. The noise from the collision had the crowd oohing.

This SMACK by #Gamecocks LB Demetrius Knight II. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/ItJH3jZdAa

— Jordan Sigler (@JordanSig) January 29, 2025

• Quarterback play has been bad from all parties in the Senior Bowl. Balls coming from Dillon Garbiel’s arm have not been smooth. Riley Leonard still looks like he wants to run, even on one-on-one drills. He nearly threw a five-yard interception to a linebacker covering a running back in that drill. Everything about Jalen Milroe feels slow. Jaxson Dart probably looked the best on Wednesday.

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