Bears $38.5 million star player breaks Caitlin Clark record during NFL Draft
The initial evening of the 2024 NFL Draft brimmed with anticipation, yet the commencement of the draft followed a conventional path. The majority of the top selections unfolded as anticipated, with Caleb Williams being chosen by the Chicago Bears as the first overall pick. Despite the predictability, Bears enthusiasts were understandably thrilled. Their excitement was so palpable that they set a new record for merchandise sales on Fanatics.
According to the search results, Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears’ first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, broke the Fanatics record for draft night merchandise sales, surpassing the previous record set just a week earlier by Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s WNBA draft pick.
For comparison, Caitlin Clark’s jersey sold out of most sizes within one hour of being drafted by the Indiana Fever earlier this month.
In one hour, Fanatics shows that it has sold out of Caitlin Clarkâs Fever jersey in XS, M, L, XL and XXL. pic.twitter.com/njSckGaTun
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 16, 2024
The selection of Caleb Williams by the Chicago Bears was widely anticipated within NFL circles, making it one of the least surprising moves in recent memory. The consensus across the league was that the Bears would indeed choose Williams as their first overall pick, setting the stage for high expectations upon his arrival in Chicago.
During his college career at both Oklahoma and USC, Williams sported the No. 13 jersey. Prior to his selection by the Bears, he expressed his willingness to allow newly acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen to retain the number he has worn throughout his NFL tenure.
According to the information provided, when asked about potentially wearing the number 13 jersey if he was drafted by the Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams stated:“If it was the Bears, I couldn’t tell you. Because if I went there, there’s a 13-year Hall of Fame vet. So that would be tough.
But yeah. We’ll see.”This suggests that Williams was aware of the possibility of being selected by the Bears with the first overall pick, and that he would be open to allowing the veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen to keep the number 13 jersey that Allen has worn throughout his NFL career, even though that was Williams’ college number.
Jaxon Odunze Falls to the Bears at #9
Jaxon Odunze, widely regarded as one of the top three wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft class, unexpectedly fell to the Chicago Bears with the 9th overall pick.Odunze is a former team captain who boasts impressive size and elite ball skills. He is a contested catch monster who knows how to use his tall frame to bully smaller defenders and make impressive catches. This could make him a mismatch weapon in the NFL against smaller slot cornerbacks, especially in the red zone. Odunze was an AP All-American two years in a row and finished his collegiate career as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
Bears Land Top Prospects Williams and Odunze in First Round
According to NFL draft analysts, the Chicago Bears’ ability to select both Caleb Williams and Jaxon Odunze in the first round is considered a best-case scenario for the team. This dual selection not only bolsters the Bears’ offense with two elite talents, but it also sets both players up for immediate success in their rookie seasons.Caleb Williams, the Bears’ first overall pick, is widely regarded as a consensus top prospect and a potential franchise-changing quarterback. His addition provides the team with a dynamic playmaker to lead their offense.Complementing Williams is Jaxon Odunze, the Bears’ surprise selection at 9th overall. Odunze, a former team captain with impressive size and elite ball skills, is expected to be a mismatch weapon for the Bears, particularly in the red zone.The combination of Williams and Odunze is seen as a strategic and impactful move by the Bears, as they have secured two premier talents who are poised to make an immediate impact and contribute to the team’s success in their inaugural NFL campaigns.
Caleb Williams Surrounded by Offensive Weapons in Chicago
Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears’ first overall pick, will have a strong supporting cast of offensive weapons at his disposal in his rookie season. In addition to the newly drafted Jaxon Odunze, Williams will also have the opportunity to work with established veterans like wide receivers D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, as well as tight end Cole Kmet.
Odunze Reunited with Former QB Penix Jr.
Interestingly, Jaxon Odunze was drafted one pick after his former college quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., was selected by the Atlanta Falcons at eighth overall. This was considered a surprising move, given that the Falcons had recently signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a lucrative contract in March.
Prior to the draft, Odunze had publicly defended Penix Jr.’s worthiness as a first-round pick. However, it seems Odunze was not expecting his former teammate to be drafted ahead of him, despite his vocal support.
The reunion of Odunze and Penix Jr. in the NFL, albeit on different teams, adds an intriguing storyline to the early stages of their professional careers.
