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
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.
Here’s what else you need to know about would-be NFL star, Caleb Williams.
Caleb Williams’ American football career, so far
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.
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
While fans love Williams for his performance, they also seem to find the fresh grad down-to-earth and relatable. In one Instagram post that has since gone viral since it was posted last year, Williams was seen crying alongside his mother following the USC loss against the University of Washington.
Some chalked that up as the player being a sensitive soul, but Williams himself took the opportunity to promote the importance of mental wellness and the need for self-expression when emotions run high.
His endorsements and sense of style
During the ceremony in which he was presented with his Heisman trophy in 2022, the then-university player accepted the golden statue and made his speech wearing a chequered suit from the Gucci x Adidas collab collection.
At the 2024 NFL draft, Williams walked the red carpet and gave interviews wearing a navy blue suit by fashion and silver jewellery brand Chrome Hearts. He has since been seen exclusively wearing looks from the LA label.
His already impressive watch collection
The young star seems to have caught the watch-collecting bug, too – wearing an 18k white gold Patek Philippe skeletonised Calatrava with his Chrome Hearts draft ‘fit. He also shared another Instagram post where he posed wearing another Patek Philippe piece – an Aquanaut with an orange rubber strap.
If his current collection is any indication, his substantial contract and signing bonus mean even more luxury timepieces in Williams’ future.
- 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