Caleb Williams on potentially becoming Bears' first-ever 4,000-yard passer: ‘I was brought here for those types of things’

In a season of progress for himself and for his team, Caleb Williams could cap off a strong 2025 season by achieving something that's never been done before in Chicago Bears history. If Williams throws for 270 yards during Sunday's regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions, he will reach 4,000 passing yards — a mark no quarterback in franchise history has ever hit in a single season.

In fact, the Bears are the only NFL team without a 4,000-yard passer.

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Erik Kramer is the current Bears' all-time single-season passing yards leader after throwing for 3,838 yards in 1995. Williams and his 2025 total of 3,730 sits third, 82 behind Jay Cutler for second. Only four NFL teams this season have allowed more passing yards per game than the Lions (249.5), which bodes well for the second-year quarterback's chances.

But while franchise history would be nice, Williams is hoping he can lead the 11-5 Bears to success in only the team's third postseason appearance since 2010, which doubles as the last time they won a playoff game during their run to the NFC championship game.

"I think for me, it'd be cool just in the sense of, there's never been one here," Williams told reporters on Wednesday. "I think I was brought here for those types of things and those types of moments, the things that haven't been done here, to try and be able to accomplish.

"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 ballgames, so that's first and foremost on my mind. That's first and foremost for this team, because the most important thing is winning ballgames and heading into the playoffs with some momentum and some good energy."

Bears head coach Ben Johnson echoed Williams' team-first focus.

"If it were to happen, that'd be great," Johnson said. "But he would agree with me when I say that our No. 1 objective is to win this ballgame. Whatever that takes, that's our goal. We'll see where it's at, at the end of the year. That's a tertiary goal, if you will."

Williams stated during training camp that hitting the 4,000-yard mark was a personal goal for the season. He's certainly improved on his rookie season numbers after throwing for 25 touchdowns and averaging 233.1 passing yards per game, both totals better than his 2024 output.

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As the Bears earned their first NFC North division title since 2018, Williams is coming off a season-high 330-yard performance during Monday night's loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

There have been 71 NFL quarterbacks who have reached the 4,000-yard mark in a single season with names ranging from Ryan Tannehill and Neil Lomax (one time each) to Peyton Manning (14 times), Drew Brees (9) and Tom Brady (7).

Williams would love to add his name to that list while at the same time helping the Bears achieve their first 12-win season in seven years.