Who are the 10 greatest Chicago Bears of all time?

There was a time when the daaaa Bears were among the scariest teams in NFL history. The team no one wanted to play – ever.

One of the most remarkable things in NFL history came out of Chicago in the 1980s, with the team’s most famous season coming in 1985 when the Bears went 15-1 and destroyed the Patriots, 46-10, to win Super Bowl XX. Although it seems like only a decade ago, the Bears have a long history of success and have inducted 32 different players into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But who are the best players to ever play for the Bears? Here are the top 10, via FOX Sports Research.

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

One of the most electrifying players of all time, Devin Hester has brought fear to opposing special teams coordinators. In his career, the ace returner had 20 special teams touchdowns, which is still an NFL record. In addition, his 14 punt return touchdowns are also an NFL record.

Perhaps his most notable season, however, came in 2006, which culminated in Chicago’s Super Bowl berth, where Hester returned the first touchdown. During that time, he also set the record for longest punt return in NFL history at 108 yards, as well as tying the NFL record for most punt returns in a game, taking two to the house against the Rams. He would close his career by being inducted 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 who made a big impact on the game even if it didn’t register on the stat sheet. Despite undergoing 10 knee surgeries during his career, Hampton was named an All-Pro six different times. His best season came in 1980, when he led the team with 11.5 sacks and posted an incredible 73 tackles, the most by a Bears lineman at the time.

In all, Hampton was named a four-time Pro Bowler, won the 1985 Super Bowl with Chicago and, finally in 2002, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame to cap off a stellar career.

8. OT Jimbo Covert (1983-1990)

One of the greatest offensive linemen in Bears history, Covert made an immediate impact when, as a rookie, he helped pave the way for the Bears to lead the NFL in rushing. That impact paid dividends in the win-loss column, as Chicago claimed six division titles in a span of seven seasons. In addition, during his eight-year career with Chicago, the team won 10 or more games six times.

Although he was named a two-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl, his greatest achievement may be the fact that he paved the way for the Bears to have a 1,000-yard rusher in seven of his eight seasons in Chicago, ultimately earning him induction. the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

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

After playing in every game as a rookie, Dent made a real impact in his sophomore campaign when he posted a Bears-high 17.5 sacks, earning him a Pro Bowl nod for his struggles. Most impressive of all is that he registered those 17.5 sacks despite starting the final 10 games of that season. That season marked the beginning of a stretch in which Dent racked up 10 or more sacks in eight of the next 10 seasons.

His most notable performance came during Super Bowl XX. The Bears were able to win, 46-10, but Dent was awarded the Super Bowl MVP, throwing three touchdowns. 1.5 sacks and forcing two fumbles. At the time of his retirement, Dent’s 137.5 career sacks were third all-time, with 124.5 sacks coming during his tenure with Chicago.

6. Gale Sayers (1965-1971)

One of the NFL’s premier running backs, Sayers always wowed fans with his quick feet and explosive speed. Despite only playing seven seasons, Sayers did it all, earning first-team All-Pro spots in his first five seasons. He also finished in the top five in MVP voting in his first four seasons.

Although his final two seasons were marred by injuries, Sayers still led the NFL in rushing twice, made four Pro Bowls, and was 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, while leading the team in tackles. That led to Urlacher being the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. That set the stage five years later when a Bears legend claimed the AP Defensive Player of the Year award, becoming only the second Bears player to win it (Mike Singletary). And, during that time, he became just the fifth player in NFL history to win Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

The offensive lineman finished his career with eight Pro Bowls, five First-Team All-Pro honors and one Super Bowl appearance in 2006.

4. Mike Singletary (1981-1992)

One of the best linebackers, Singletary wasted no time making a name for himself, becoming Chicago’s starter in the seventh game of his rookie season. A tackling machine, Singletary has led the Bears or been second on the team in tackles in each of the last 11 NFL seasons. In addition, his durability was a hallmark, missing only two games in his career.

Overall, in his career, Singletary was a recognized and respected force, leading 10 Pro Bowls and being selected as an All-Pro eight times. Most impressively, however, he was selected as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1988, helping lead the 1985 team to a Super Bowl title.

3. Mike Ditka (1961-1966)

A trendsetter, Ditka was one of the first tight ends in the NFL to catch multiple passes and proved that tight ends can impact a passing attack. In his rookie season, the tight end caught 56 ​​passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection in the process. Just three seasons later he would break the then NFL record for receiving touchdowns, 75 passing yards. After being inserted into the starting lineup in his rookie season, Ditka did not miss a single start, finishing his Bears career with 84 straight starts.

Ditka was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first four seasons and was selected as an All-Pro in his first five seasons. The physical tight end also posted 50 or more receptions in four of his six seasons with Chicago.

2. Dick Butkus (1965-1973)

One of the most feared linebackers in NFL history, Butkus earned Pro Bowl nods in his first eight seasons. His success was limitless though, as he finished his career with 22 tackles and 27 forced fumbles, proving he can do it all. One of the biggest aspects of his career that didn’t show up on the stat sheet was his ability to cover great runners and tight ends in passing games.

When all was said and done, Butkus was a five-time first-team All-Pro and three times finished in the top six in MVP voting despite playing on the defensive side of the ball. Most impressively, Butkus finished every NFL season with at least one fumble and one forced fumble, collecting multiples in each of five seasons.

1. Walter Payton (1975-1987)

Nicknamed “Fun,” Walter Payton was always a source of terror for fans and detractors alike. He spent all 13 seasons of his NFL career with Chicago, and during that time he went to nine Pro Bowls, was named First-Team All-Pro five times, and won Super Bowl XX with the team. But most impressively, Payton was a workhorse. He led the NFL in his first five seasons, the only one not being his rookie year.

Payton’s most impressive season came in 1977 when he collected MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Pro Bowl honors and was named First-Team All-Pro. The campaign saw him lead the NFL in carries, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, rushing yards per game and yards per carry. He would come close to collecting two more MVPs, finishing third in 1984 and second in 1985, but falling just short. When all was said and done, he would finish his Bears career with 10 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He remains second on the all-time rushing yards list, with his 16,726 yards trailing only the 18,355 set by Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith.

Honorable mention:

• Bronco Nagurski
• Bulldog Turner
• Doug Atkins
• Bill George
• Bill Hewitt
• Steve McMichael
• Sid Luckman
• Charles Tillman

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