A few of our guys are running through a pre-training camp roundtable addressing some topics about the Bears.
This year will be the thirtieth anniversary of one of the greatest single-season passing performances in Chicago Bears history. In 1995, Erik Kramer threw for 3,838 yards to fly past Billy Wade’s 3,172 yards, which he did in 1962. Kramer also threw 29 touchdown passes in ‘95, breaking Sid Luckman’s 28, which was set in 1942.
Jay Cutler came close to breaking Kramer’s records in 2014, but head coach Marc Trestman benched him for their second-to-last game, and he ended up with 3,812 yards and 28 TDs.
Last season, Caleb Williams shattered the franchise rookie marks, but passed for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Here’s our final roundtable topic: Will Williams break the franchise single-season passing records?
And here are our predictions.
Ryan Droste: I sure hope so, as it’s time to put those demons to rest. It’s hard to imagine Caleb not going north of 4,000 yards if he stays healthy with the talent that surrounds him, both on the field and on the sidelines in his coaching staff. Ironically, the lowest TD total for a QB in a Ben Johnson offense was the 29 that Jared Goff threw in Johnson’s first year as OC in Detroit (2022). Goff never threw for less than 4,400 yards under Johnson in Detroit.
Jeff Berckes: I just don’t see a scenario where he doesn’t, unless he misses a chunk of time. The cauldron of creativity we’re about to see from Ben Johnson, with Caleb leading the way, is going to make these records a distant memory.
Johnathan Wood: Assuming he stays healthy, this seems like a slam dunk. Jared Goff averaged about 4500 passing yards and 32 touchdowns in his 3 seasons under Ben Johnson, and it will be hugely disappointing if Williams can’t come close to that. The Bears spent the 1st pick on him with the expectation that he would be better than a guy like Goff, and he has the play caller and supporting cast to start to make that a reality this year.
Gary Baugher Jr.: Barring injury, absolutely. Earlier this month, I did a projection on Twitter of 4,257 passing yards and 28 touchdowns for the 2025 season. Year two (2026) of the Williams-Johnson era should see those touchdowns eclipse 30, and we can finally put to rest that tired old narrative.
Dr. Mason West: 1000%. The dude was on track to do so last year with a much worse situation when it comes to OL play, OL scheme, overall coaching, etc.
Bryan Orenchuk: Easy. Yes. Next question. No, but seriously, considering he got close to those numbers under Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron, he should demolish those numbers with Ben Johnson and the improvements along the OL now in town.
TJ Starman: Yards, yes. TDs, no. I think both are within reach, for sure, but I also think Ben Johnson will be looking to establish the run game’s identity. That will likely carve into the young QB’s numbers a bit, so even though I do expect an uptick in Caleb’s overall production with the offensive improvements around him, I think surpassing both totals in just his second year might be a tad too lofty of an expectation and maybe some runs end up vulturing scores over the course of the season.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: Yep. Ben Johnson is too good a play caller and game planner, and he’ll bring the best out of Caleb.
Now it’s your turn. Which Bears position group do you think is the strongest?