LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Before he was selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams knew plenty about the franchise that was about to ask him to be its savior.
Williams was well aware of the Bears’ troubled quarterback history. During his pre-draft visit at Halas Hall, he wanted to hear general manager Ryan Poles' thoughts on why Chicago had struggled for so long to find its franchise quarterback.
More specifically, Williams was curious why the Bears have never had a 4,000-yard passer in a single season in their long history. They're the lone team in the NFL that hasn't had a quarterback reach that threshold. On Sunday, Williams could put an end to that unwanted storyline when the Bears (11-5) host the Lions (8-8) at Soldier Field.
In his second NFL season, Williams is 270 passing yards shy of reaching the 4,000-yard mark. He has surpassed 270 yards four times this season and also did so four times as a rookie in 2024.
Williams also can set the Bears’ new single-season record if he throws for 109 yards Sunday. Erik Kramer currently holds the franchise record with 3,838 passing yards in 1995.
“I was brought here for those type of things and those type of moments, the things that haven't been done here, to try and be able to accomplish,” Williams said Wednesday at Halas Hall. “Like I've said before, the self goals and all of that always get swept under when you go for the team goals, and that's winning ball games.
“That's first and foremost on my mind, that’s first and foremost for this team, because the most important thing is winning ball games and heading into the playoffs with some momentum and some good energy heading into the playoffs.”
The Bears have already secured the NFC North title but are still playing for the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They'll clinch the No. 2 seed with a win against the Lions or if the Eagles lose to the Commanders on Sunday. With that in mind, Bears head coach Ben Johnson is prioritizing a victory for his team over Williams' statistics — but he's also aware of the potential feat.
“If it were to happen, that would be great,” Johnson said. “But he would agree with me when I say our No. 1 objective is to win this ballgame.”
Johnson then remarked that 4,000 yards is just an arbitrary number.
“There are probably some (franchises) who don’t have a 5,000-yard passer, right?" he said. "So, it’s just a number."
Others in a city that has longed for a franchise quarterback feel differently. The rival Packers have had five different quarterbacks combine for 18 seasons of reaching the 4,000-yard passing mark. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers surpassed that mark 10 times during his tenure in Green Bay.
One can diminish the significance of 4,000 passing yards in the 17-game schedule, but Chicago would be hard-pressed to poke holes in Williams achieving the feat.
For Williams, reaching the milestone would just be another step toward bigger goals. He aspires to have a career in Chicago filled with accomplishments.
“That’s a goal, is to be the top of (the record books),” Williams said. “I want to be the top quarterback for not only Chicago but in the league. That starts with consistency, that starts with me preparing the right way. That’s important to me because I don’t get up to be mediocre.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.