Da Bears have a storied history that dates to the beginning of professional football, which means there is an impressive gauntlet of the greatest players to play football. Nonetheless, here are the five players that I believe had the greatest impact on the field for the Bears and the NFL.
Healthy debate is encouraged.
(Disclaimer: The list is in no particular order… Unless you want it to be)
Five Greatest Players in Chicago Bears History
Brian Urlacher, MLB
Former Bears LB Brian Urlacher (54) – AP Photo
Urlacher represents the modern-day Bears in a way, as he was the one who led the team to its first Super Bowl appearance in 20 years during the 2006 campaign. He played for 13 years in the NFL, all with Chicago, and leads the team in all-time solo tackles, all at middle linebacker.
His hits were terrifying; his speed was mesmerizing, and the way he kept everyone in lockstep on all the teams he played on while in Chicago is just downright impressive. All of this led to him recording over 1,000 career total tackles (the only Bear to ever do so), earning Pro Bowl honors eight times, receiving First Team All-Pro honors four times, and gaining entry into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Urlacher was a menace and a force to be reckoned with every time he stepped on the field.
Walter Payton, RB
Former Bears RB Walter Payton (34) – James Biever Photography
Widely regarded (and debated) as the greatest running back of all time, Walter Payton is the 2nd all-time leading rusher in NFL history and boasts one of the gnarliest running styles ever seen. You can watch what I’m talking about by skipping to the 0:48 mark of this video.
His career spanned from 1975-1987 and included the Bears’ first and only Super Bowl win in 1985. Although the highlight of that team was its ferocious defense, Payton racked up 1,551 yards at 32 years old, good for 3rd in the NFL, and played in every game of the regular season and playoffs.
The records he set will likely stand due to the current state of the NFL and its lack of consistent running back usage. This just makes my argument clearer that the durability and sheer skill that Payton showed in every single game deserves him the honor of being one of the very best to ever put on a Bears uniform.
Devin Hester, KR/PR/WR/DB
Former Bears R Devin Hester (23) – Jim Prisching/Chicago Tribune
Hester is the greatest return man ever to play the game, bar none. He wore many hats on the Bears, namely wide receiver and defensive back, but he will always be remembered as the guy who you always saw on a highlight reel taking a kick or a punt all the way back for a touchdown.
Devin returned 13 punts and six kickoffs (including playoffs) for touchdowns over his eight seasons with the Bears. Those punt return numbers are good for 1st all-time, and the kick returns are tied for 9th all-time. His conversion rate on punt returns soars by everyone below him and will more than likely land him in the Hall of Fame when his time comes.
He changed the game for return men and paved the way for new utility players like Cordarrelle Patterson and Ray-Ray McCloud to excel under a less intense microscope than him.
Gale Sayers, RB
Former Bears RB Gale Sayers (40) – Mike Detillier
Sayers was one of the original “anything can happen” types of running backs in NFL history. He could break a big run with only inches of space and make it seem easy. In only seven years, Gale earned 1st Team All-Pro honors five times and was named to the Pro Bowl four times. The dominance he had in such a short period of time was remarkable and deserves him a spot on this list.
He was also honored with a place in the Hall of Fame in 1977.
Fun fact: Sayers was one of the first NFL players to ever come back from a torn ACL. He even won comeback player of the year AND led the league in rushing during that year.
Dick Butkus, LB
Chicago Tribune
Before Brian Urlacher, there was Dick Butkus, and man; he was a force to be reckoned with.
Unfortunately, he was around before official defensive stats were kept and his tackle numbers were questioned, but it’s safe to say that from 1965 to 1973, there was nobody you wanted to see LESS on the other side of the ball than Butkus.
He was the quickest 250lb, 6’3” man of the time and struck fear in the eyes of opposing offensive players, earning him the nickname “The Monster of the Midway”. After recording 22 interceptions, the most for a middle linebacker in Bears history, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
Some highlights of Butkus’ career can be found here.
