What number will No. 1 Draft pick Caleb Williams wear at Chicago Bears?

Caleb Williams has been tasked with changing the Chicago Bears’ fortunes: the Illinois franchise, who have not reached the NFL’s championship game since the 2006 season, are hopeful the quarterback will help to turn them into Super Bowl contenders once more.

Williams was chosen by the Bears with the first overall pick in this week’s NFL Draft, and now knows what number he will wear as a professional.

Although the 23-year-old sported No. 13 during his glittering college career with the Oklahoma Sooners and the USC Trojans, it has been confirmed that he is to switch to No. 18 in the NFL.

Why has Williams chosen No. 18 at the Bears?

This is the jersey that Williams wore during his time in high school with Gonzaga College. What’s more, the signal caller’s move to No. 18 allows Keenan Allen, a wide receiver who arrived in Chicago in a March trade with the Los Angeles Chargers, to continuing using No. 13.

In the 2023 season, the number was used at the Bears by tight end Tobert Tonyan. Other quarterbacks who have worn No. 18 in Chicago’s history are Joe Barnes (1974), Mike Tomczak (1985-1990), Steven Stenstorm (1996-1998) and Kyle Orton (2005-2008).

Watch - Bears fans react to round one Draft picks:

Williams breaks merchandise sales record

Following Williams’ selection by the Bears on Thursday, fans of the team have wasted no time in securing the new recruit’s Chicago shirt.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner set a new Draft Day shirt-sales record - for any player chosen in any sport - on the retail site Fanatics. He beat the mark established by WNBA player Caitlin Clark after she was selected by the Indiana Fever earlier this month.

Fanatic’s website has a message stating that pre-ordered Williams jerseys will be shipped within four to six weeks of his number being confirmed.