New Bears QB, No. 1 Overall Pick Caleb Williams Smashed Caitlin Clark's Jersey Record

The Chicago Bears made good on their promise to select their new franchise quarterback, as USC phenom Caleb Williams was selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. The excitement around Williams reviving the franchise has been palpable for weeks. Now Bears fans can revel in the team selecting one of the best college prospects in the last 10 years.

Williams' personality and unique way of doing things has made headlines for months. He did not throw at the NFL Combine, and all but walked through the entire draft process with his own swagger and confidence. His personality and skillset has paid dividends, as his popularity skyrocketed after being drafted by the Bears.

According to longtime NFL insider Adam Schefter, "Chicago's No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams broke the Fanatics record for draft night merchandise sales for any draft pick in any sport, beating the previous record set last week by Caitlin Clark."

Clark's jersey on the Indiana Fever website sold out of all sizes within an hour. That feat has now been toppled by Williams.

Clark, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft, has seen her own meteoric rise to superstardom, which has been coupled with a huge endorsement deal with Nike worth $28 million.

Williams was already one of the highest-paid NIL student-athletes while at USC, and we imagine he is going to fetch far more endorsement contracts now that he is playing in the NFL. This new record-setting merchandise sales with Fanatics is only the first step in the young quarterback being the talk of the professional level.

Granted, Williams will now need to prove that his being selected No. 1 overall (and the accompanying hype) is an accurate reflection of his talent. Either way, he should have no issues becoming one of the biggest stars in the NFL. Should he lead the Bears to a playoff berth, his stardom will only rise even faster.

Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 after posting 4,537 yards, 45 TDS, and 5 interceptions along with 382 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs. He showcased elite skills that translated into him becoming one of the most exciting college prospects in a decade.

Williams was also up for the 2023 Heisman Trophy but was beaten out by LSU's Jayden Daniels, who was drafted No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders. Simply put, the Bears landed what should be their next franchise quarterback.

The Bears have not had the greatest success in drafting quarterbacks in the first round. They went with Mitch Trubisky in 2017, who all but flopped and is now playing a backup role with the Buffalo Bills.

In 2021, Chicago selected Justin Fields. While Fields had far more upside than Trubisky, he is also now playing backup to Russell Wilson on the Pittsburgh Steelers. The hope for the Bears is they have found a quarterback who can lead them back to NFC relevancy.