QB Caleb Williams reaching 4,000 passing yards should be a priority for Bears in Week 18

In Week 18, second-year quarterback Caleb Williams can do something that hasn't been done in the Chicago Bears' storied history: throw for 4,000 yards or more in a season. 

Stunningly, the franchise, founded in 1920, has never had a QB hit this mark. Even more embarrassing for the Bears, Chicago produced a pope before it churned out a 4,000-yard passer. Chicago native Pope Leo XIV was elected as the first American pope in May 2025.

Williams needs 270 yards passing in Sunday's home game (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox) against the Detroit Lions (8-8) to hit the 4,000 passing-yard mark. He needs 109 to break Erik Kramer's franchise record for passing yards in a season (3,838).

Bears HC Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams discuss QB possibly reaching 4,000 passing yards in Week 18

Johnson made it clear that Williams reaching 4,000 passing yards won't be the Bears' main goal. Chicago (11-5) may lean on its ground game against Detroit's 16th-ranked rushing defense (117.6 YPG). 

"If it were to happen, that would be great, but I think he would agree with me when I say our No. 1 objective is to win this ball game," Johnson told the media Wednesday. "Whatever it takes, that's our goal. We'll see where it's at at the end of the year. But that's tertiary." 

Williams agrees beating Detroit is priority No. 1, but he wouldn't mind making franchise history. 

"I think for me, it'd be cool just in the sense of, there's never been one here," Williams said. "I think I was brought here for those types of things and those types of moments 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 with some momentum and some good energy." 

Williams reaching this mark could give the Bears both of those heading into the playoffs. Chicago, of course, shouldn't sacrifice a win for the sake of the QB setting the franchise record. But it shouldn't forget that he has the opportunity to do so.