Caleb Williams wins!
After just one year in the NFL, Caleb Williams has secured his first accolade. The Bears' rookie quarterback has been named the Most Stylish Football Player, as chosen by football fans across the globe casting their votes on the GQ Sports Instagram page.
Williams got here by being unapologetically himself. When he was in college, Williams' habit of painting his nails drew a lot of attention, but his personal style goes far beyond that. From his very arrival, when he showed up to the draft in a custom Chrome Hearts suit, Williams has been guided by a very strong sense of self. “Just be who you are and stay true to that,” he told GQ at the time. Following that mantra led him to the title of Most Stylish Football player, and with his whole career still in front of him, there's more than enough time for Williams to leave his mark on both the fashion and the football worlds.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
The path to the finals
In recent years, NFL fashion has risen to new heights. Players began to take their clothing choices more seriously, and fans predictably began to take notice. And while not everyone can have their profile elevated by dating a world-famous pop star like Travis Kelce (who bowed out in the first round to Dolphins linebacker Duke Riley), the league has a strong crop of young players who know how to dress. After several rounds of voting this week on the GQ Sports Instagram, we're down to our final two.
Rookie sensation Caleb Williams takes on Justin Jefferson, with the winner to be revealed on Monday after a weekend of voting. Notably, the final four featured a matchup of two Chicago Bears, with Williams beating out his teammate Jaylon Johnson. Williams also bested DeVonta Smith— the winner in 2023—to reach the semifinals, while Johnson got past NFC champion Saquon Barkley.
The other side of the bracket, meanwhile, saw a surprise run from Derrick Henry, perhaps the first time a run from the gargantuan running back ever snuck up on anyone. Henry, whose personal style often veers cozy, had a tough matchup in Jefferson, one of the most well-regarded swag lords of the 2020s. An NFC North showdown awaits in the final round of the bracket, which saw several first-time entrants (49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall, Browns' edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo, and yet another Chicago Bear, standout cornerback Kyler Gordon) lose out to some established NFL fashion stars.
If Williams wins, he'll be the first quarterback in the competition's three-year history to win it all. If Jefferson wins, maybe he'll celebrate by adding another piece of fly jewelry to his already-incredible collection.