When they were kids tossing a football around in one of their backyards, Josh Kreutz never dreamed that he and Jai Williams would be suiting up together with the Bears. But that's exactly what's transpiring this week at Halas Hall.
The sons of close friends and former Bears Pro Bowl offensive linemen Olin Kreutz and James "Big Cat" Williams are among the NFL hopefuls participating in the team's rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
"It is surreal," said Josh Kreutz, a three-year starting center at Illinois. "I grew up as a Bears fan, so I'm very excited to be here. But I'm also focused on doing my job and learning the playbook and becoming a better player … I mean, 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. But I really want to get on the 90-man roster; that's my goal being here."
"It is an opportunity that I couldn't have asked for," added Jai Williams, a defensive end who played at Kentucky (2023) and Quincy University (2024-25). "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."
While they attended different high schools—Josh went to Loyola Academy and Jai to Lake Forest—they've been lifelong friends.
"I've known Josh for as long as I can remember," Jai said. "Our dads were very close the whole time we were growing up … It is very nice having someone I know and grew up with here with me to go through the experience. I've been lifting with him for years, so I've been with him a lot recently. Being able to do this with someone like that is huge."
Olin Kreutz was chosen by the Bears in the third round of the 1998 draft out of Washington. A star center, he was voted to six Pro Bowls in 13 seasons in Chicago, anchoring the offensive line while winning four division championships and one conference title. He appeared in 191 games with 183 starts, one shy of Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton's franchise record.
No one is more qualified to provide guidance about playing center in the NFL than Kreutz. Asked what advice his father has given him, Josh said: "Mostly just how to play the game. There's a certain way to practice, there's a certain way to prepare, and those are things I did in my career at Illinois. I'm looking to improve on those things hopefully at the next level."
James "Big Cat" Williams played his entire 13-year NFL career with the Bears from 1991-2002, appearing in 166 games with 143 starts. He opened all 16 games in each of his final six seasons at right tackle and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2001. Williams joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent defensive end from Cheyney State. He was moved to offensive tackle midway through his second season.
In minicamp, both Kreutz (57) and Williams (71) are wearing the same uniform numbers as their fathers.
"That's pretty cool," Josh said. "I think everyone in my family is not like one for numbers, but that's really cool and it's cool to be here."
"I thought it was funny," Jai said. "I texted my family and I was like, 'Of course I got 71.' I was excited."
Bears teammates for five seasons, proud fathers Kreutz and Williams are experiencing the same emotions this week.
"I'm excited for [Josh]," Olin said. "For me it's just surreal, things you don't think are ever going to happen; the place you played 13 years and what the Bears have meant to our family. It's a surreal opportunity for him, but at the same time he's a camp invite and he's got a long way to go."
"I'm excited for [Jai]," Big Cat said. "It's a great opportunity. It's something he's excited for and looking forward to. They have an opportunity that a lot of people don't have, so I'm excited for both of them."
Neither father was able to advise his son about this week's activities because there was no such thing as rookie minicamp when they entered the NFL. In the 1990s, teams held a camp one week after the draft that included veterans.
"The weekend's totally changed from when I played," Olin said. "I wouldn't even know what to expect. There's not much to tell him except make sure you're doing what the coaches ask and studying the film and doing all the things that made you successful at Illinois. That advice is just, 'go there and be yourself, a guy who loves football, a guy who loves to play center and show who you are.'"
"It's hard because it's so much different from when we played," Big Cat said. "In my mind, you go up there, you rip somebody's head off and you make people look at you. But that's not how it's run nowadays. These guys are going to be going through drills. It's more about being able to do what you're told, being able to adapt to what's going on and being a free agent, it's like 'Hey, if I can get a look, if I can get on the practice squad, that's a great accomplishment from where they're coming from."
