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Who is Caleb Williams, who just signed a multimillion-dollar deal with the Chicago Bears? The fashionable, 22-year-old NFL player on the rise loves Patek Philippe and advocates for mental wellness

STORYGloria Fung
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is already making millions before he’s even set foot on a major league field. Photo: TNS
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is already making millions before he’s even set foot on a major league field. Photo: TNS
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  • Williams is reportedly being paid US$38.5 million for 4 years with the Chicago Bears, receiving a US$24.8 million signing bonus – and the 22-year-old hasn’t even set foot on a major league field yet
  • The Oklahoma native played college football for University of California’s Trojans and received the Heisman trophy in 2022 wearing a Gucci x Adidas suit – he also seems to be a Patek Philippe fan

Fresh out of university, Caleb Williams is bringing excitement to American football and hopes to join the hibernating Chicago Bears as it sets its sights on the playoffs – or maybe even a championship – after decades of underwhelming performance.

The team has a rich history in the league. The Bears are the second-oldest in the NFL and have a total of nine championship titles under their belt. But it’s seen little success in the past 30 years. Their last big moment was their Superbowl win in 1985, and the team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000.
Caleb Williams poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Chicago Bears during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, on April 25. Photo: TNS
Caleb Williams poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Chicago Bears during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, on April 25. Photo: TNS
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This marks an important moment for the team as it moved mountains to sign the rookie, who was touted as the NFL’s next big star even as he was playing university football for the University of Southern California (USC)’s Trojans team.

Here’s what else you need to know about would-be NFL star, Caleb Williams.

Caleb Williams’ American football career, so far

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams pushes his way into the end zone for a touchdown against Stanford in the first quarter at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in September 2023. Photo: TNS
USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams pushes his way into the end zone for a touchdown against Stanford in the first quarter at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in September 2023. Photo: TNS
Hailing from Oklahoma, Williams won the prestigious Heisman Trophy for the 2022 season during his first year playing for the school after transferring from the University of Oklahoma. The double threat possesses that rare talent of being both a quarterback and being able to rush. Fans of the game are putting him in league with greats like Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes.

Even during his collegiate career, he’s produced some impressive stats, making 127 touchdowns, per Chicago Bears’ website. It's no wonder that NFL teams have been eyeing this collegiate superstar and it explains the enormous sums they’re willing to commit to bringing him onto their teams.

Caleb Williams, 22, is set to join NFL team Chicago Bears. Photo: @chicagobears/Instagram
Caleb Williams, 22, is set to join NFL team Chicago Bears. Photo: @chicagobears/Instagram

In the end, the 22-year-old decided to join the sleepy Chicago Bears. He was picked as the first overall draft by the team in 2024 – and is reportedly being paid a handsome US$38.5 million for four years. The signing bonus alone is reported to be US$24.8 million. This deal instantly catapults the American footballer to multimillionaire status before he’s even set foot on a major league field.

He’s an advocate for mental wellness

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