Season in Review: Records Fall, Milestones Set, Coaching Change Caps NFL Campaign

Historic individual performances and a notable coaching decision highlight the NFL landscape following the conclusion of the regular season.

^Don't Feel like reading? Watch the video above!^

The regular season has concluded, closing the book on a year defined by record-breaking performances, franchise milestones, and organizational change across the league. As teams turn their attention toward the postseason and offseason, several developments from Week 18 and beyond stood out.

The San Francisco 49ers saw running back Christian McCaffrey add another achievement to his résumé. McCaffrey finished the season with 934 receiving yards, marking the second time in his career he surpassed 900 receiving yards in a single season. He joins Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Lenny Moore as the only running backs to reach that threshold multiple times.

•       Christian McCaffrey finished the 2025 season with 934 receiving yards

•       Marked his second career season with 900+ receiving yards

•       Joined Marshall Faulk and Lenny Moore as the only RBs to do it multiple times

In Chicago, quarterback Caleb Williams rewrote the Bears’ record book. Although he fell short of becoming the franchise’s first 4,000-yard passer, Williams broke Erik Kramer’s long-standing single-season passing yards record with a touchdown pass in Week 18, establishing a new benchmark for the organization.

•       Caleb Williams set the Bears’ single-season passing yards record

•       Broke Erik Kramer’s 1995 mark of 3,838 yards

•       Fell just short of becoming Chicago’s first 4,000-yard passer

Cleveland experienced a historic season despite missing the postseason. Edge rusher Myles Garrett recorded his 23rd sack of the season, setting a new NFL single-season sack record. Contextual comparisons show Garrett achieved the mark on fewer opponent pass plays than previous record holders. The Browns also became the first team since the 1970 merger to have rookies lead the roster in passing, rushing, receiving, and tackles over the course of a season.

•       Myles Garrett recorded 23.0 sacks, breaking the NFL single-season record

•       Achieved on fewer opponent pass plays than Strahan or Watt

•       Cleveland became the only post-merger team led by rookies in passing, rushing, receiving, and tackles

In Seattle, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba delivered a historic campaign, finishing with 1,793 receiving yards. He became the first Seahawks player since Steve Largent to lead the NFL in receiving yards and set a new franchise single-season record.

•       Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards

•       Broke Seattle’s single-season record

•       Most receiving yards by a Seahawk since Steve Largent

Atlanta closed the season with organizational change. The Falcons dismissed head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot following an 8-9 campaign, concluding a five-year stretch without a playoff appearance.

•       Atlanta fired head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot

•       Morris finished 16–18 over two seasons

•       Fontenot recorded zero playoff appearances in five years

The regular season may be complete, but its impact will carry into the offseason and beyond. From historic individual performances to organizational resets, Week 18 ensured this year left its mark. Which performance stands out the most to you, and what was your favorite historical moment of the season? Let’s Talk About It.