The Chicago Bears are already NFC North champions and will likely enter the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the NFC. However, all of the team’s focus is on the Week 18 matchup against the Detroit Lions. While there aren’t many stakes in the game besides winning, there is a chance to make history. Caleb Williams has the opportunity to become the first Bears quarterback to throw for 4000 yards in a single season.
On Wednesday, Chicago’s head coach Ben Johnson was asked about that possibility, and he admitted he didn’t see what the big deal was. The first-year head coach was asked if there was any incentive to get Williams to 4,000 yards, and he replied that if it happened, it would be great, but the win is most important. When the reporter pressed Johnson to say whether he recognized what having a 4,000-yard passer would symbolize, the head coach said it’s an arbitrary number.
That led to a back and forth where a reporter reminded Johnson that he’s new in Chicago, because the pursuit of 4000 is a big deal. The head coach laughed and said, “Apparently it is.”
Ben Johnson doesn’t get the hype of Caleb Williams pursuit of 4000 yards
As Johnson was reminded during the exchange, the Bears are the only NFL franchise never to have a 4,000-yard passer. While it’s not a big deal to him, it is to fans and media members, and Caleb Williams, who was open about his goal of being the first Bears quarterback to do it. In just his second season, the young quarterback will have the chance.
It will take a massive effort from Williams to reach the milestone, as he is 270 yards away from 4,000. A bigger passing number, but certainly feasible. It’s a number that the quarterback has hit four times this season, and just 37 yards above his 233.1 yards per game average. So, regardless of how much Johnson cares, Williams and Bears fans could get what they want on Sunday.
Read more: Bears were just handed the NFC’s no. 2 seed on a silver platter (if they want it)
Even if the 4000 mark isn’t hit, Williams is seemingly a lock to set a new franchise record for single-season passing yards, as he’s only 109 yards from that number.