The Chicago Bears have gone 106 seasons without a single 4,000-yard passer. Think about that for a second: 106 seasons! That’s an NFL record drought, and it’s not even close, with the Jets’ 58-season streak after Joe Namath in 1967 being the next longest. Now, with quarterback Caleb Williams entering his third year, fresh off a 3,942-yard campaign in 2025, the big question looms: can he finally break the curse?
Williams, Johnson, and the Franchise-Record Year That Wasn’t Quite Enough
Last season, Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman winner and 2024 first overall pick, came so close to history, throwing for a franchise-record 3,942 yards. That’s a huge step up from his “wildly inconsistent rookie year,” which the article blames on the “utter joke” 2024 coaching staff. Now, in his second year with head coach Ben Johnson, an “offensive guru” in the NFL, Williams looks poised for more. He also tossed 27 touchdowns against just seven interceptions in 2025. The Bears are coming in hot as defending NFC North champions, with preseason wrapping up and the season opener set for September 13 at Carolina. Williams only threw five passes in their second preseason game and isn’t likely to see more action before Week 1, so he’s locked and loaded for the real deal.
Why Oddsmakers Are Sleeping on the Bears’ Franchise QB
Despite Williams’ near-4,000-yard performance last year, oddsmakers are still playing it safe for 2026. They’ve priced him at +200 to hit the 4,000-yard mark, implying they don’t think he’ll make it. His Over/Under for passing yards this season is set at 3,624.5, with 24.5 passing touchdowns. Why the skepticism? The article points to a couple of factors. First, Williams “runs a fair amount,” which always raises the “obvious injury factor.” He’s played all 17 games in his first two seasons, but injuries can hit anyone. Second, there’s the possibility the Bears could have their playoff seed locked up by Week 18, leading to a meaningless game where Williams might not play. To hit 4,000 yards, a QB needs to average 235.3 yards per game over 17 games or 250.0 yards over 16 games. That’s a tough grind, even for a talent like Williams.
The season kicks off September 13 against the Panthers. All eyes will be on Williams from day one. Can he finally shatter that 106-season, 4,000-yard curse? Every fan in Chicago, and frankly, every football fan who loves a good story, will be watching to see if this is the year he rewrites the record books.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply