It feels like a foregone conclusion that Caleb Williams will be the next quarterback for the Chicago Bears. They hold the #1 pick. Almost everybody agrees he is the best at his position in the 2024 draft. Rumors insist every meeting between the two sides has gone well. The only thing left to do for GM Ryan Poles is call it in on draft night. As you might imagine, many Bears fans are already preparing for his arrival by purchasing Williams Bears jerseys. He’s going to look great with that #13 in navy blue.
Only it might be wise to hold off on that. There are reasons to think the quarterback isn’t a lock for that number when he arrives. One enterprising Bears fan named Daniel Coltun came across some interesting information. He found at the NFL’s website for buying customizable jerseys that you can’t do a jersey for Williams at #18, not #13. If you try, you receive an error. There is no such issue with any other number, including #13. That leads him to believe Williams plans to switch to #18 in Chicago, which was his high school number.
The same thing happened with Trevor Lawrence in 2021 when Jacksonville fans tried doing his #16 jerseys.
Caleb Williams’ decision is easy to understand.
For one, he isn’t the only notable player vying for the #13. Wide receiver Keenan Allen, a potential future Hall of Famer, has worn that number his entire career. One can imagine he’d wish to keep doing so in Chicago. Don’t forget he visited Williams at USC’s pro day a couple of weeks ago. He may have requested the rookie switch numbers. This evidence would indicate they reached an agreement. Besides, such a decision might be smart from a superstitious standpoint as well.
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The #13 hasn’t exactly been one surrounded by great vibes. Kevin White wore that number. He’s one of the biggest busts in Bears history. Johnny Knox suffered his catastrophic back injury wearing that number. The last quarterback to wear it was Rick Mirer, arguably the most disastrous trade acquisition in franchise history. Conversely, there’s been some good fortune with #18. Kyle Orton and Mike Tomczak both wore it. They had reasonable success as quarterbacks in Chicago. Hall of Fame tackle Joe Stydahar also wore it.
While it might not be great for continuity, this feels like a wise decision by Caleb Williams.
