The Bears’ rookie minicamp brought a familiar family connection back into the building, as Josh Kreutz and Jai Williams took part in the same first-step NFL experience their fathers once knew as Chicago teammates. The two linemen are sons of former Pro Bowl Bears Olin Kreutz and James “Big Cat” Williams, and both arrived with the benefit of a lifelong bond that has now carried into football’s next level.
Josh and Jai did not attend the same high school, with Josh at Loyola Academy and Jai at Lake Forest, but their connection goes back to childhood. Jai said he has known Josh for as long as he can remember, noting that their fathers were close while they were growing up and that training together for years made the shared minicamp experience even more meaningful.
A familiar path for two sons of Bears veterans
The names carry weight in Chicago because both fathers built long careers with the Bears and earned Pro Bowl recognition. Kreutz became one of the franchise’s most trusted centers after Chicago selected him in the third round of the 1998 draft out of Washington, while Williams spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the team and developed into a reliable right tackle.
Kreutz was voted to six Pro Bowls in 13 seasons with the Bears, where he helped anchor the offensive line and contributed to four division titles and one conference championship. He played in 191 games and made 183 starts, finishing one shy of Walter Payton’s franchise record for games played.
Williams, meanwhile, appeared in 166 games with 143 starts and opened all 16 games in each of his final six seasons. He made the Pro Bowl in 2001 after a career that began as an undrafted free agent defensive end from Cheyney State before his move to offensive tackle midway through his second year.
Same numbers, different emotions
The minicamp added another layer of symbolism because both sons wore the same jersey numbers their fathers once wore. Josh took 57, while Jai wore 71, and both said the detail stood out immediately.
“That’s pretty cool,” Josh said, adding that the number meant a lot to his family and made the moment feel even more special. Jai had a similar reaction, saying he texted his family after seeing 71 and was excited about the coincidence.
The fathers also shared the emotional weight of seeing their sons on the field in Bears gear again. Olin Kreutz said the moment felt surreal, especially given how much the organization meant to his family, while also stressing that Josh still has work to do as a camp invitee. Williams said he was excited for Jai and called the opportunity one many players never get.
Advice shaped by a different NFL
Neither father could offer direct guidance on the minicamp format itself because the setup did not exist when they entered the league. In the 1990s, teams held post-draft camps that included veterans, which made today’s rookie-only structure unfamiliar to both former Bears linemen.
Kreutz said the most useful advice he could give Josh was centered on preparation, practice habits and learning how to handle the game the right way. He pointed back to the standards that helped him succeed at Illinois, while encouraging his son to trust his football identity and show coaches who he is.
Williams described the modern process as far more about drills, instruction and adaptability than the physical style he remembered from his playing days. He said that for players coming in as free agents, even earning a look or reaching a practice squad can be a meaningful step.
For Josh Kreutz and Jai Williams, the minicamp was more than a tryout. It tied together family history, Bears tradition and the chance to build their own paths while carrying two well-known Chicago names into a new football setting.
