Chicago Bears fans celebrated their first No. 1 overall draft pick in more than half a century on Thursday night by setting a new jersey sales record. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, new No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams had his Bears jersey set a record on Fanatics for most jerseys sold on draft night in the company’s history. Williams surpassed Indiana Fever No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark, who broke the record less than two weeks ago.
Chicago had only had two first overall draft picks in their history before Thursday night. They selected selected Tom Harmon in 1941 and Bob Fenimore in 1947. Williams, a Heisman Trophy winner, was the first quarterback taken in this draft, which saw six quarterbacks come off the board in the first round.
Clark wasted no time in setting a record after being selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in Monday’s 2024 WNBA Draft. Just two hours after commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced her name at the podium at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Clark became Fanatics’ top-selling draft pick in any draft night history. At the time, she took the top spot from Trevor Lawrence who set the peak after the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Clark’s No. 22 Fever jersey nearly sold out almost immediately after it was listed on the online store. The sizes XS, M, L, XL and XXL were unavailable just hours after Clark was picked.
Bears select QB of the future with No. 1 overall pick
Former USC quarterback Caleb Williams is about to get paid. Per Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti, the 2024 No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick is expected to sign a four-year, fully guaranteed $39.4M contract with the Chicago Bears, including a $25.5M signing bonus and a fifth-year option in 2028.
Williams put together an impressive college career, starting at Oklahoma in 2021 and finishing with two years at USC. His biggest season came as a sophomore in 2022 when he threw for 4,537 yards, ran for 382 yards and totaled 50 touchdowns – 40 in the air and 10 on the ground. That helped him bring home the Heisman Trophy.
Williams didn’t see the same type of success in 2023, but his numbers were still impressive. He threw for 3,633 passing yards and 30 touchdowns to go with 11 rushing scores. USC had an up-and-down year en route to a 7-5 record as the defense struggled, but Williams’ draft stock didn’t change. He’ll now try to be the franchise quarterback Bears fans have been waiting to see.
More must-reads: