Caleb Williams has set his goals for 2025: Become the first Chicago Bears quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards and complete 70 percent of his passes.
"Being the first 4,000-yard passer in Bears history, that's a goal of mine," Williams said Tuesday, via the team’s official website. "Seventy-percent completion, that helps the team, keeps us on the field, puts us in better positions. And then other than that, just trying to go down and score the most points that we can with each drive that we have. That's kind of my self-goal, and obviously other than that, you've got to go win. That's success for me. That's success for the team. That's all we wish for and I wish for."
It's somewhat sad that, entering 2025, the Bears have never in their storied history had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards. They're the only team for which such a statement applies. Last year alone, six QBs threw for 4,000-plus yards. Nine teams have had a quarterback throw for more than 5,000 yards in a season -- Drew Brees did so five times.
Reaching the 4,000-yard mark would simply bring the Bears' passing game into the 21st century.
As a rookie, Williams completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, six interceptions and an 87.7 passer rating.
Becoming more efficient and reaching the 70 percent completion rate would enable Williams to surpass the 4,000-yard barrier. Jared Goff passed for 4,400-plus yards in all three seasons with Ben Johnson as offensive coordinator in Detroit.
Johnson's offense should make hitting those objectives easier for Williams in Year 2.
"We certainly have goals that we strive for," Johnson said. "It's not a secret. I told him I would love for him this season to complete 70 percent of his balls. So you would like to think over the course of practice that we're completing 70 percent or more, or that's hard to just magically arise in a game. It's a lofty goal, but it's one we're going to strive for. We're going to use that as a benchmark and kind of work from there."
Johnson focusing on completion percentage over the bulk passing stats makes sense. If Williams completes passes, Johnson's offense stays on the field, and he can continue to dial up plays that knot defenses. Eventually, one of those plays will bust things open.
Johnson believes Williams is ready to hit the ground running in 2025.
"I think we're ready to go," he said. "The governor is off. He and I have been talking all spring, all summer, constant phone calls, constant conversations. I think we're in a great place and he wants to get coached hard -- and we're going to push him as hard as we can and do what is right for the team."
