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Caleb Williams Predicted to Shatter Bears Passing Record in 1st Year With Ben Johnson

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Dible | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 9:54 AM ET

The Chicago Bears have an illustrious history stretching back more than a century, though it is devoid of even a single great quarterback during the Super Bowl era.

Jim McMahon is the only Bears signal-caller with a championship ring, though he won it with the overwhelming support of one of the best defenses in NFL history. In terms of career resumé, Jay Cutler is the most prolific thrower of the football ever to wear a Chicago uniform, and it's unclear how much he ever cared about the sport or being great at it while he was playing.

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft was supposed to change all that.

The Bears landed former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and got off to a 4-2 start. Then a 10-game losing streak struck, and Williams watched as his offensive coordinator and head coach get fired, though his view was often obscured by the turf stuck in his helmet following any number of the league-leading 68 sacks he endured.

Chicago's front office called on former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson this offseason, luring him to the Windy City with the promise Williams' talent and $13 million annually over a five-year contract to save the purported savior of the Bears' cursed QB room.

Johnson subsequently added three new interior offensive linemen, all of whom appear likely to start. He then spent the team's first two draft picks on a stud tight end and a stud slot receiver to round out Williams' weapons alongside Nos. 1 and 2 wideouts DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Now, it's time to put it all together during training camp.

Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com expects Johnson, Williams and the rest of the Bears offense will do just that, predicting on Thursday, June 19, that the quarterback will break the all-time franchise record for passing yards in just his second season.

"One thing that shouldn't be doubted is whether he'll become the first Chicago signal-caller to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. Williams won't just reach that barrier; he'll blow it away, especially when considering all the advantages he has working for him now," Chadiha wrote. "Williams threw for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns last season when he was running for his life and trying too hard to extend plays. Better coaching and an improved supporting cast will make life much easier for him, and the numbers will bear that out."

Chadiha projected Williams to throw for 4,500 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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