Former USC Trojans and current Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been voted GQ’s most stylish football player in the NFL.

Williams, a rookie, earned the distinction in his first season in the league beating out players like Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

The GQ award is unique in that it’s selected by the fans. Sports and culture have always been intersecting pathways, so it’s intriguing to see the fans of both worlds combine for a decision such as this.

With the win, Williams becomes the first quarterback in the competition’s three-year history to win the honor of the NFL’s most stylish player. At USC, Williams’ fashion choices were often a topic of discussion as the entry walks to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum have become an impromptu fashion show for the players. Williams is also notoriously known for his signature painted nails which have become a contentious subject amongst football fans.

Williams has never been one to shy away from expressing himself through his fashion choices. It comes as no surprise that his eclectic aesthetic not only garners attention from the masses but also connects with people in a way that goes beyond sport. The freedom of expression and the confidence to be himself, even in a gladiator sport like American football, sets him apart from some of his fellow contemporaries.

As with almost any award, this one comes in cycles. The most stylish distinction is up for grabs again starting now. With social media, paparazzi, and the melding of different avenues of expression in general, there’s never been a time when we’re more connected than now.

Expect a slew of Instagram posts, articles, and fashionable appearances from NFL players of the next 12 months as they vie for the 2026 title. What will Wiliams pull out next? Who knows, but there will be more interest than ever to see what the second-year quarterback has in store in the fashion department.