Who are the ten biggest Chicago Bears of all time?

There as soon as was a time when the daaaa Bears have been among the many most fearsome groups in NFL historical past. A group that nobody would have wished to play with, ever.

One of essentially the most notable episodes in NFL historical past passed off in Chicago within the Eighties, with the group’s most well-known season coming in 1985 when the Bears went 15-1 and destroyed the Patriots, 46-10, to win the Super Bowl XX. Even wanting past that decade, although, the Bears have a protracted historical past of success and have inducted 32 totally different gamers into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But who’re the very best gamers to ever play for the Bears? Here are the highest 10, through FOX Sports Research.

10. KR/PR/WR Devin Hester (2006-2012)

One of essentially the most electrifying playmakers of all time, Devin Hester scared opposing particular groups coordinators. In his profession, the ace returner totaled 20 mixed particular groups touchdowns, which to this present day is an NFL report. Additionally, his 14 profession punt return touchdowns are additionally an NFL report.

Perhaps his greatest season, although, got here in 2006, culminating in a Super Bowl berth for Chicago, the place Hester returned the opening kickoff for a landing. During that season, he additionally set the report for longest play from scrimmage in NFL historical past with 108 yards, in addition to tied the NFL report for many return touchdowns in a sport, bringing two residence towards the Rams. He would finish his profession with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

9. DL Dan Hampton (1979-1990)

Nicknamed “The Danimal,” Hampton was a one-of-a-kind do-it-all lineman who made a huge effect on the sport regardless that it did not register on the stat sheet. Despite present process 10 knee surgical procedures throughout his profession, Hampton was named All-Pro six totally different occasions. His finest season got here in 1980, when he led the group with 11.5 sacks and had a staggering 73 tackles, essentially the most for a Bears lineman on the time.

Overall, Hampton was named a Pro Bowler 4 occasions, received the 1985 Super Bowl with Chicago, and was lastly inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002 to cap a rare profession.

8. OT Jimbo Covert (1983-1990)

One of the largest maulers on the offensive line in Bears historical past, Covert made a direct affect when, as a rookie, he helped pave the best way for the Bears to steer the NFL in speeding. This affect paid dividends within the win-loss column as effectively, as Chicago captured six division titles in a span of seven seasons. Additionally, throughout his eight-year profession at Chicago, the group received 10 or extra video games six occasions.

Although he was named a Pro Bowler twice and received a Super Bowl, his biggest accomplishment could also be the truth that he led the best way for the Bears to have a 1,000-yard rusher in seven of his eight seasons in Chicago, finally incomes the induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

7. DL Richard Dent (1983-1993, 1995)

After enjoying each sport as a rookie, Dent made an actual affect in his second season when he posted a career-high 17.5 sacks for the Bears, incomes a Pro Bowl nod for his troubles. Most impressively, he recorded these 17.5 sacks regardless of solely enjoying the ultimate 10 video games of that season. That season was the start of a interval wherein Dent collected 10 or extra sacks in eight of the following ten seasons.

His most notable efficiency got here throughout Super Bowl XX. The Bears managed to win, 46-10, however Dent was awarded Super Bowl MVP, making three tackles. 1.5 sacks and compelled two fumbles. At the time of retirement, Dent’s 137.5 profession sacks have been third all-time, with 124.5 sacks coming throughout his tenure in Chicago.

6. Gale Sayers (1965-1971)

One of the NFL’s premier working backs, Sayers commonly wowed followers together with his fast ft and dynamic pace. Despite enjoying solely seven seasons, Sayers made essentially the most of it, incomes a spot on the First-Team All-Pro group in every of his first 5 seasons. He additionally completed within the high 5 in MVP voting his first 4 seasons.

Even together with his remaining two seasons ruined by damage, Sayers nonetheless led the NFL in speeding twice, received 4 Pro Bowls and was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.

5.Brian Urlacher (2000-2012)

Starting off with a bang as a rookie, the Hall of Fame linebacker posted a career-high eight sacks whereas additionally main the group in tackles. This led to Urlacher turning into the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. That set the stage for 5 years later, when the Bears legend claimed the AP Defensive Player of the Year award, turning into the second Bears participant to win it (Mike Singletary). Additionally, on the time, he grew to become solely the fifth participant in NFL historical past to win each Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

The injured linebacker completed his profession with eight Pro Bowls, a five-time First-Team All-Pro and made a Super Bowl look in 2006.

4. Mike Singletary (1981-1992)

One of the best linebackers of all time, Singletary wasted no time making a reputation for himself, turning into a starter for Chicago in simply the seventh sport of his rookie season. A tackling machine, Singletary led the Bears or was second on the group in tackles in every of his final 11 NFL seasons. Additionally, his sturdiness has been an indicator, lacking solely two video games in his profession.

Overall, in his profession, Singletary was a well known and revered power, incomes 10 Pro Bowl nominations and being chosen as an All-Pro eight occasions. Most impressively, although, he was chosen because the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1988, serving to lead the 1985 group to a Super Bowl title.

3.Mike Ditka (1961-1966)

A trendsetter, Ditka was one of many first tight ends within the NFL to catch quite a few passes and show that tight ends might affect the passing assault. In his rookie season, the dynamic tight finish caught 56 ​​passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns, incomes a Pro Bowl choice. Just three seasons later he would catch the NFL report for a good finish, 75 passes. After being inserted into the beginning lineup throughout his rookie season, Ditka didn’t miss a single begin, ending his Bears profession with 84 consecutive appearances.

Ditka was chosen to the Pro Bowl in every of his first 4 seasons and chosen as an All-Pro in every of his first 5 seasons. The bodily tight finish additionally recorded 50 or extra receptions in 4 of his six seasons with Chicago.

2.Dick Butkus (1965-1973)

One of essentially the most feared linebackers in NFL historical past, Butkus earned Pro Bowl honors in every of his first eight seasons. His success knew no limits, nevertheless, as he completed his profession with 22 interceptions and 27 pressured fumbles, proving he might do all of it. One of essentially the most notable elements of his profession that did not present up on the stat sheet was his potential to cowl high working backs and tight ends on passing performs.

Ultimately, Butkus was a five-time first-team All-Pro and thrice completed within the high six in MVP voting regardless of enjoying on the defensive facet of the ball. Most impressively, Butkus has completed each NFL season with not less than one interception and one pressured fumble, racking up multiples in 5 seasons.

1. Walter Payton (1975-1987)

Nicknamed “Sweetness,” Walter Payton constantly wowed followers and opponents alike. He spent all 13 seasons of his NFL profession with Chicago, and in that point he made 9 Pro Bowls, was named First-Team All-Pro 5 occasions and received Super Bowl XX with the group. But most impressively, Payton was a workhorse. He led the NFL in carries in 4 of his first 5 seasons, the one one not being his rookie 12 months.

Payton’s most spectacular season got here in 1977, when he received MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, a Pro Bowl honor and was named First-Team All-Pro. The marketing campaign noticed him lead the NFL in carries, speeding yards, speeding touchdowns, speeding yards per sport and yards per carry. He would virtually get two extra MVPs, ending third in 1984 and second in 1985, however would fall quick. Ultimately, he would end his Bears profession with 10 1,000-yard speeding seasons. He stays second on the all-time speeding yards listing, together with his 16,726 yards trailing solely Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith’s 18,355.

Honorable mentions:

• Bronco Nagurski
• Bulldog Turner
• Douglas Atkins
• Bill George
• Bill Hewitt
• Steve McMichael
• Sid Luckmann
• Charles Tillmann

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