Most Career Passing Yards by a Chicago Bears Player

The Bears might be known for running backs and defense, but they’ve had their share of big-arm passers too — though it’s a shorter list than fans might like. Jay Cutler surprisingly sits atop the franchise record books, while Hall of Famer Sid Luckman laid the early groundwork. With Justin Fields now on the radar, Chicago might finally have a shot at a new kind of franchise QB.

TOP 10 LIST

10. Justin Fields – 6,674 Yards
Fields brought dynamic rushing and flashes of elite play, but inconsistency and injuries stalled his momentum. Still, in just three seasons, he cracked the top 10 — and with a fresh start looming, the future is still wide open.

9. Bob Avellini – 7,111 Yards
Avellini started during the late ’70s, a tough era for Bears quarterbacks. He was a gritty presence who hung around long enough to earn a spot on this list.

8. Ed Brown – 9,698 Yards
A steady hand during the 1950s and early ’60s, Brown helped lead the Bears to multiple winning seasons and posted respectable numbers in a run-heavy era.

7. Billy Wade – 9,958 Yards
Wade was the QB when the Bears won their 1963 NFL Championship. While his numbers aren’t massive, his leadership made a lasting mark on franchise history.

6. Erik Kramer – 10,582 Yards
Kramer had a career year in 1995 and still holds several single-season Bears passing records. He wasn’t flashy but quietly productive and dependable.

5. Mitchell Trubisky – 10,609 Yards
Trubisky had moments of brilliance mixed with frustrating inconsistency. Still, he helped lead the team to the playoffs and racked up over 10K yards in just four seasons.

4. Jim McMahon – 11,203 Yards
More known for his attitude and leadership than stats, McMahon helped power the 1985 Super Bowl champions. He wasn’t the most prolific passer, but he was the winner they needed.

3. Jim Harbaugh – 11,567 Yards
Before becoming an NFL coach, Harbaugh was the Bears’ primary starter for most of the early ’90s. He never broke through into stardom, but he was solid and durable.

2. Sid Luckman – 14,686 Yards
A pioneer of the passing game, Luckman played in the 1940s and won four championships with the Bears. He held the franchise passing record for nearly 50 years — and is enshrined in Canton.

1. Jay Cutler – 23,443 Yards
Love him or hate him, Cutler tops the Bears’ all-time passing list. He had the arm, the attitude, and the longevity — even if he never quite reached his full potential. No one has come close to his 23K+ mark since.

Ranking the 10 best single-game passing yard performances in Chicago Bears history

Top 50 Single-Game Passing Performances in Bears History

This chart shows every Bears player to record 300+ passing yards in a single game, including standout games from Jay Cutler, Erik Kramer, and Mitchell Trubisky.

Jay Cutler’s record still stands, but there’s a lot of room on this list for someone new to take the throne. Sid Luckman’s championship legacy looms large, while younger names like Justin Fields show that Bears fans are still waiting for a true QB era. Maybe the next decade finally changes that narrative.

FAQ SECTION

Who holds the Bears record for most career passing yards?
Jay Cutler leads all Bears quarterbacks with 23,443 career passing yards.

Is Justin Fields in the top 10?
Yes — Fields ranks 10th with 6,674 yards despite a short tenure in Chicago.

Are any Hall of Famers on the list?
Yes — Sid Luckman is a Hall of Famer and four-time NFL champion who played in the 1940s.

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