The quarterback on the verge of making history for a storied NFL franchise

In the entire history of the franchise, the Chicago Bears have never had a 4,000-yard passer. That could change with Caleb Williams this season.

Among the quirks and shames that come with being a Chicago Bears fan, there is one fact about the team that is as hard to sit with as a shot of Malört: In the entire history of the franchise, the Bears have never had a 4,000-yard passer.

Even as their divisional rivals seem to trot out gunslinger after gunslinger — Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff and Daunte Culpepper, to name a few — and despite all the rule changes to make the sport more passing friendly, Chicago has never had a quarterback top that mark.

That finally might change this season.

Caleb Williams runs the ball into the end zone Sunday during a game against the Giants.Todd Rosenberg / Getty ImagesCaleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 draft, has not only overcome an 0-2 start to put the Bears in playoff position, but through nine games is on pace to throw for 4,035 yards. This would shatter the current franchise high of 3,838 yards thrown by Erik Kramer in 1995.

More importantly — or maybe not, considering how desperate Chicago fans are to finally enjoy what literally every other NFL team already has — Williams isn’t only racking up empty stats in a losing effort. After a win over the New York Giants in Week 10, the Bears are 6-3, in playoff position and tied with the Detroit Lions for first place in the NFC North.