Chicago Bears rookie minicamp is well underway this weekend as dozens of players take part in individual and team drills under the guise of head coach Ben Johnson. Naturally, the focus of rookie minicamp centers around the team draft picks, but there are also undrafted free agents, player tryouts, and invited veterans who could turn some heads early.
A couple of players who are participating on a tryout basis have already stood out thanks to their deep family ties to the organization. Center Josh Kreutz and defensive end Jai Williams, the sons of former Bears greats Olin Kreutz and James “Big Cat” Williams, respectively, are working to follow in their fathers’ footsteps as they attempt to earn an invite to training camp. Josh and Jai are lifelong friends thanks to their fathers’ strong friendship and now reunite nearly 25 years after Olin and Big Cat last shared the field together.
“It is an opportunity that I couldn’t have asked for,” Jai Williams said to Bears senior writer Larry Mayer. “To be a hometown kid and be able to play for the team that I grew up watching and grew up around, it’s an amazing opportunity.” Josh Kreutz echoed that sentiment but also has his eyes on the prize. “I knew I wanted to play in the NFL, and I’m happy I got a tryout, especially with the Bears being a hometown kid and being a Bears fan my whole life,” Kreutz said via Mayer. “But I really want to get on the 90-man roster; that’s my goal being here.”
Both Kreutz and Williams are trying to get their foot in the door when it comes to earning an opportunity in the NFL, but the Bears couldn’t pass up the opportunity to allow them to honor their Monsters of the Midway fathers. Kreutz was assigned jersey No. 57, which was Olin’s number, while Williams donned No. 71, Big Cat’s number. Neither player expected it, apparently. “I thought it was funny,” Jai said via Mayer. “I texted my family and I was like, ‘Of course I got 71.’ I was excited.”
Kreutz was the starting center for Illinois for the last three seasons and originally committed to play for head coach Lovie Smith, who coached his father from 2004 through 2010. He helped anchor the Illinois offensive line and played a key role in their recent success under Bret Bielema. Williams, meanwhile, committed to Kentucky but played in just three games in three seasons. He transferred to Division II Quincy University from 2024 through 2025.
While Kreutz and Williams may have a deep connection to the Bears organization, they still face long odds to make the 90-man roster. Rookie tryouts rarely result in a contract, but perhaps a strong showing at Halas Hall will convince the coaching staff one or both deserve a shot this summer. The minicamp continues on Saturday before wrapping up on Sunday, May 10th.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears pay homage to Josh Kreutz, Jai Williams at rookie minicamp
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
