Caleb Williams is in rarefied air.
On Thursday night, the strong-armed former USC Trojans quarterback was selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.
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Williams went No. 1 overall like everyone projectedCredit: Getty
In a matter of hours he’d already broken another No. 1 overall pick’s recent record.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Williams broke the Fanatics record for draft night merchandise sales for any draft pick in any sport.
He beat the previous record set last week by women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark, who was drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Williams caught wind of the fact that he’d broken Clark’s record and shared his immediate four-word response.
“That’s Chicago for ya!!!,” he posted on X.
Earlier on Friday he teased what his potential Bears jersey number would be by using the #18 at the end of a post.
“DAAAAA BEARSSSSSS!! We are otw!!#18,” he shared.
He wore No. 13 during his time with USC.
Clark was selected with the first overall pick in this year’s WNBA DraftCredit: Getty
Williams’ latest feat is some achievement given Clark’s Fever jersey was completely sold out within an hour of her selection in the WNBA Draft.
Darren Rovell on X posted at the time: “Clark’s Indiana Fever jerseys have already sold out on Fanatics.
“It took just one hour for Fanatics to sell out the extra small, medium, large, extra large and extra, extra large jersey sizes.”
The Fever are already feeling the effects of Clark-mania with sold-out home games and an increase in nationally televised games next season.
The Bears will be hoping Williams has a similar impact on their franchise after several years on the outside looking in.
Williams will be joined in Chicago by wide receiver Rome Odunze, who was selected by the Bears with the No. 9 overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The pair will join the likes of six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen, former Eagles running back D’Andre Swift and ex Chargers TE Gerald Everett as exciting additions to the once down-on-their-luck franchise.
After being taking No. 1 overall by Chicago, Williams believes he’s in the right spot to develop his talent.
“A big reason is I believe the culture that’s been building,” Williams said during a Zoom call with reporters.
“I would say the culture, the coaches, and that’s where it stems from. Then I’d also say the love and support that the fans have been giving. They’re ready, they’re hungry, they’re all excited, and so are we.”
“They didn’t just tell me [they want to win], they were showing me how we do it,” he added.
“That’s always big. I’ve always been a routine guy. I’ve always been true to my work, committed to that and things like that. They’ve been saying that they want to win, they’ve been saying that they’re hungry.
“When I went there on a visit, they were showing me plans of how they plan on implementing that, things like that throughout the whole team, myself, to be able to lead these guys to victories.”
That’s Chicago for ya!!! https://t.co/BQRQW7v0gL
— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) April 26, 2024
New Bears QB Caleb Williams receives a surprise, heartwarming message from his mom ❤️🥹@CALEBcsw | @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/e7dDDPOD3f
— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2024
