Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears have a new star on their hands in quarterback Caleb Williams after selecting him with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and the new era is already off to a roaring start.

Just hours after drafting Williams with the top pick, the Bears' franchise quarterback is already shattering records in the sports world.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter , Williams has already broke the Fanatics record for draft night merchandise sales for any draft pick in any sport. The record was previously held by Caitlin Clark after being drafted by the Indiana Fever just a few weeks back.

It's no surprise to see the city of Chicago and the entire Bears' fanbase already fall in love with their new franchise quarterback this quickly.

Williams is everything the Bears have been searching for at the quarterback position and it finally feels like the organization has gotten it right for once.

The Bears' new franchise signal-caller will be rocking the #18 previously worn by tight end Robert Tonyan, after much debate about which number he will don. Williams wore the #13 while in college at USC and Oklahoma but will allow another Bears' addition to wear his former number in Chicago.

“If it’s the Bears, I don’t know, there’s a 13-year Hall of Fame vet there," Williams explained before the draft when asked about what number he will wear. "So, that’s might be tough.”

Williams of course is referring to six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen, whom the Bears also acquired this offseason from the Los Angeles Chargers. Allen has worn the number 13 since entering the league in 2013 and will continue to do so in Chicago entering Year 12.

In the meantime, the #18 Bears' jersey is quickly flying off the shelves and has no signs of slowing down between now and the start of the 2024 season. The future of the Chicago Bears, quite literally, is here.

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