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Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise.

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Devin Hester

These are the greatest Bears of all-time. Since the NFL's inception, the Chicago Bears have been a vital part of the league's fabric. One of the classic football franchises (one of the two original NFL teams still in existence), the Bears are known for their punishing brand of black and blue football. The team has had some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-football-players-ever">greatest players in football history</a> wear the Dark Navy, Orange and White. When you think of great Chicago Bears, you generally think of defense, especially punishing linebackers. Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Brian Urlacher are all considered some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-25-greatest-linebackers-of-all-time">best linebackers in NFL history</a> and they've all been leaders of the Monsters of the Midway.&nbsp;While many consider the best players to play for the Bears to be defenders, one of the greatest offensive weapons played for the Bears. The running back position for the Bears is one of the most prestigious in the entire NFL. That's what happens when you have players like Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, and Red Grange. So whether you like backs, centers, QBs, or receivers, there's a great Bears player at that position, to be sure.The Bears have won nine championships in its illustrious history, which includes one Super Bowl berth. From that special 1985 team, you'll find many of the defensive stars on this list. They are considered one of the greatest defenses of all time, so you would expect them to be considered some of the best Bears players ever.Who are the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-chicago-bears-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest Chicago Bears</a> of all time? Who are the most famous Bears players? With over 100 of the greatest Chicago Bears listed here, it's up to you to decide who was truly the best. If you notice someone who isn't on this list, feel free to add them. Please re-rank and vote to your liking.

Quarterbacks

Big fan of Chicago football? Then you'll have&nbsp;to check out this list of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-chicago-bears-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best Chicago Bears</a> quarterbacks ever! It includes every starting quarterback from throughout Chicago Bears history, including current quarterbacks and past ones. This roster contains many American football greats, players in the game with the highest ratings in the NFL. The QB is the leader of the offensive team, the one who often calls the plays. Although most teams use an offensive coordinator now, QBs still need to know the intricacies of the rules for trick plays and tactics. Vigorous training is a must—and don't forget that a quarterback is only as good as his receivers.Featuring 2018-2019 Chicago Bears and some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-quarterbacks-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest NFL quarterbacks</a>&nbsp;of all time, the best Bears QBs include Jim McMahon, Jim Harbaugh, Jay Cutler, and Sid Luckman, among many other greats.Who are the best quarterbacks in Chicago Bears history? They're on this comprehensive list, along with all of the other sports stars who have had the honor of being the arm behind this beloved Illinois team. Here is every athlete who's ever held the illustrious position of Chicago Bears quarterback.

Coaches

Marc Trestman

﻿Throughout their time as a football franchise, the&nbsp;Chicago&nbsp;Bears have had a variety of coaches, but who is&nbsp;the best&nbsp;Chicago&nbsp;Bears head coach of all time? We want you to help us answer that question by voting for your favorite Chicago&nbsp;Bears coaches, keeping stats like Super Bowl wins and playoff runs in mind.It's hard to argue against George Halas being the greatest Bears head coach in the history of the team, seeing that he coached the team to 6 NFL Championships as a coach, and saw two more as the team's owner. He was an innovator and left a lasting impact on not just the Bears organization, but the entire NFL in general.Mike Ditka is another legendary Chicago Bears head coach, winning Superbowls with the team as both a coach and player. In fact it was George Halas who offered Ditka the head coach position in 1982, where Ditka quickly turned the team into a major threat.If the Chicago&nbsp;Bears had a best of all time team, who would coach it? Vote for your favorites below, even if the coach never won a championship with the Chicago&nbsp;Bears.

Football

Big fan of Chicago football? Then check out this list of Chicago Bears linebackers with photos and seasons as starters.&nbsp;It includes every starting linebacker from throughout Chicago Bears history, including current linebackers and past ones. An important part of the Chicago defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers, and outside (strong-side or weak-side) linebackers. Featuring some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-25-greatest-linebackers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest NFL linebackers of all time</a>,&nbsp;the best Bears&nbsp;LBs include Brian Urlacher, Dick Butkus, Hunter Hillenmeyer, and Lance Briggs.In the 2017-18 NFL season, the current Chicago Bears starting LBs and backup LBs are Jonathan Anderson, Leonard Floyd, Jerrell&nbsp;Freeman, Isaiah Irving, Howard Jones, Nick Kwiatkoski, Pernell McPhee, Danny Trevathan, and Willie Young.Who are the best linebackers in Chicago Bears history? Here is every player who has ever held the position of Chicago Bears&nbsp;starting linebacker.

Big fan of Chicago football? Then check out this list of Chicago Bears running backs with photos and seasons as starters.&nbsp;It includes every starting running back from throughout Chicago Bears history, including current running backs and past ones. Featuring 2018-2019 Chicago Bears&nbsp;and some of the greatest NFL&nbsp;running backs&nbsp;of all time, the best Bears RBs include Matt Forte, Walter Payton, Neal Anderson, and Thomas Jones, among other NFL greats.

Who are the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-nfl-running-back/ranker-sports?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best running backs</a> in Chicago Bears history? Here is every player who has ever held the position of Chicago Bears&nbsp;starting running back.

Big fan of Chicago football? Then check out this list of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-cornerbacks-on-the-chicago-bears/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Chicago Bears cornerbacks</a> with photos and seasons as starters.&nbsp;It includes every starting cornerback from throughout Chicago Bears history, including current cornerbacks and past ones. An important part of the Chicago defensive backfield, the CB position requires fast players to cover receivers, defend against pass offenses, and make tackles. Featuring 2018-2019 Bears and&nbsp;some of the&nbsp;greatest NFL cornerbacks of all time,&nbsp;the best Bears&nbsp;CBs include Tim Jennings, Nathan Vasher, Prince Amukamara, Jerry Azumah, and Donnell Woolford.Who are the best cornerbacks in Chicago Bears history? Here is every player who has ever held the position of Chicago Bears&nbsp;starting cornerback.

Big fan of Chicago football? Then check out this list of Chicago Bears wide receivers with photos and seasons as starters.&nbsp;It includes every starting wide receiver from throughout Chicago Bears history, including current wide receivers and past ones. Featuring 2018-2019 Chicago Bears&nbsp;and some of the greatest NFL&nbsp;wide receivers of all time,&nbsp;the best Bears&nbsp;WRs include Brandon Marshall, Curtis Conway, Willie Gault, and Dennis McKinnon.&nbsp;

Who are the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-nfl-wide-receiver/ranker-sports?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best wide receivers</a> in Chicago Bears history? Here is every player who has ever held the position of Chicago Bears&nbsp;starting wide receiver.

The Chicago Bears have had some great tight ends throughout the franchise&rsquo;s history. This list of past Bears tight ends features former greats, current impact players, and even future stars.&nbsp;As the tight end position increasingly becomes more of a focal point in the offensive schemes of today, one can only imagine what this list could look like in years down the road. No matter what happens in the evolution of this position, these Chicago tight ends have left a legacy for this that can&rsquo;t be taken away.&nbsp;

Great <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-chicago-bears-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Chicago Bears players</a> such as Mike Ditka, Desmond Clark, and Emery Moorehead have gone down as some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-25-greatest-tight-ends-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best tight ends</a> in franchise history.

So&nbsp;who is the greatest tight end in Chicago Bears history? Which of these tight ends has left a lasting legacy in the Windy City? Vote below for who you think is the best Chicago Bears tight end of all time!

The best Chicago Bears kickers ever have all had a part in some of the biggest moments in franchise history. NFL games can be won and lost by one or two points, making every made or missed kick of the greatest importance and every starting kicker a potential hero.

While recent stars like Robbie Gould and Paul Edinger&nbsp;have made their mark in the Bears&#39; past, early standouts like Kevin Butler and Bob Thomas helped craft their own legacies in the old days of&nbsp;the franchise.

So which of these kickers from Chicago Bears&nbsp;history deserves to rank near the top of the list? Who are the best Bears kickers of all-time? Vote below, and check back to see what other football fans thought.

Chicago Bears

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List of All Chicago Bears Linebackers, Ranked Best to Worst

The Best Chicago Bears Linebackers Of All Time

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FREEFORM

Dick Butkus

Richard Marvin Butkus (born December 9, 1942) is an American former football player, sports commentator, and actor. He played professional football as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1965 to 1973. Through those nine seasons he was invited to eight Pro Bowls, named a first-team All-Pro six times, and was twice recognized by his peers as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. Renowned as a fierce tackler and for the relentless effort with which he played, Butkus is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in pro football history.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Butkus played his entire football career in his home state, which began at Chicago Vocational High School. As a college football player at the University of Illinois, he was a linebacker and center for the Fighting Illini. A two-time consensus All-American, he led the Illini to a Rose Bowl victory in 1963 and was deemed the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference, and in 1964 he was named college football's Lineman of the Year by United Press International (UPI). He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Butkus was drafted by the Bears as the third overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft. He soon established himself as a ball hawk with his penchant for forcing turnovers. In his NFL career, he intercepted 22 passes, recovered 27 fumbles (a record when he retired), and was responsible for causing many more fumbles with his jarring tackles. His tackling ability earned him both admiration and trepidation from opposing players. According to Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones, Butkus "was a well-conditioned animal, and every time he hit you, he tried to put you in the cemetery, not the hospital." In 2009, the NFL Network named Butkus the most feared tackler of all time.
Butkus is credited with having defined the middle linebacker position, and is still viewed as the "gold standard by which other middle linebackers are measured." He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, and his No. 51 jersey is retired by the Bears. Following his playing career, Butkus began careers in acting, sports commentary, and celebrity endorsement. He is active in philanthropy through the Butkus Foundation, which manages various charitable causes.

Mike Singletary

Michael Singletary (born October 9, 1958) is an American football coach and former professional football player. After playing college football for Baylor University, Singletary was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 2nd round of the 1981 NFL Draft and was known as "The Heart of the Defense" for the Chicago Bears' Monsters of the Midway in the mid-1980s. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, the same year he coached Kirk Cousins in youth flag football.
Singletary later pursued a career as a coach, first as a linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens, then as the linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers. In 2008, the 49ers promoted Singletary to the head coaching position after previous head coach Mike Nolan was fired during the season, and he remained in that position until he was fired after the 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention with one game remaining in the 2010 season.

Brian Urlacher

Brian Urlacher (; born May 25, 1978) is a former American football linebacker who spent his entire 13-year career playing for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for The University of New Mexico, where he was recognized as a consensus All-American and became one of the school's most decorated athletes.
The Bears selected Urlacher with the ninth overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Urlacher quickly  established himself as one of the NFL's most productive defensive players. After winning the NFL Rookie of the Year Award in 2000, he was elected to eight Pro Bowls, and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2005. His playing style, accomplishments and reputation have made him one of the team's most popular players.  After retiring from professional football, he was briefly an analyst for Fox Sports 1. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility on February 3, 2018.

Lance Briggs

Lance Marell Briggs (born November 12, 1980) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft, where he played his entire 12-year career.



Wilber Marshall

Wilber Buddyhia Marshall (born April 18, 1962) is an American former college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for five teams from 1984 until 1995. Marshall played college football for the University of Florida, was twice recognized as a consensus All-American, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
He was selected in the first round of the 1984 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears and played in Super Bowl XX. Marshall later was part of the Super Bowl XXVI-winning Washington Redskins team, and also played for the Houston Oilers and Arizona Cardinals before finishing his career with the New York Jets.

Otis Wilson

Otis Ray Wilson (born September 15, 1957) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Raiders. He won a Super Bowl as a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears. He is also the father of former Cincinnati Bengals running back Quincy Wilson.

Bill George

William George (and variants) may refer to:

Doug Buffone

Douglas John Buffone (June 27, 1944 – April 20, 2015) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League. Buffone, the son of a coal miner (whose parents were Italian immigrants from the southern province of Cosenza, regione di Calabria), attended high school at Shannock Valley High School in Rural Valley, Pennsylvania.

Roquan Smith

Roquan Daevon Smith is an American football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia. Smith became the first Georgia Bulldog to win the Butkus Award. 
Smith attended Macon County High School in Montezuma, Georgia, where he played football. He originally committed to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to play college football but changed his commitment to the University of Georgia.

Joe Fortunato

Joe Fortunato may refer to:

Joe Fortunato (American football) (1930–2017), former American football linebacker
Joe Fortunato (coach) (1918–2004), American college sports coach and administrator
Joe Fortunato (ice hockey) (born 1955), Canadian former ice hockey player

George Connor

George Leo Connor (January 21, 1925 – March 31, 2003) was an American football player for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1948 to 1955. He played tackle on offense, and on defense was recognized as one of the sport's first linebackers. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and of the College Football Hall of Fame. He attended both the College of the Holy Cross and the University of Notre Dame. He won the first Outland Trophy as the best college lineman in 1946. Sportswriter Grantland Rice once observed Connor was "the closest thing to a Greek God since Apollo."

Ron Rivera

Ronald Eugene "Ron" Rivera (born January 7, 1962) also known as "Riverboat Ron" is an American football coach and former player who is the head coach of the Washington Football Team of the National Football League (NFL). He has also been the head coach for the Carolina Panthers, and the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears and San Diego Chargers.Rivera played college football at the University of California in Berkeley, and was recognized as an All-American linebacker. He was selected in the second round of the 1984 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, and was a backup on the 1985 team which won Super Bowl XX.  Rivera was recognized as the NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 2013 and in 2015. He led the Panthers to three divisional titles, and an appearance in Super Bowl 50.

Danny Trevathan

Danny Trevathan is an American football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was named an All-American by College Football News in 2010 as well as first team all-Southeastern Conference. Following the 2010 season, Trevathan completed the 2011 NFL Draft evaluation process but chose to return to Kentucky for his final season.

Larry Morris

Larry Cleo Morris (December 10, 1933 – December 19, 2012) was an American football linebacker. The 1950 graduate of Decatur High School became an All-American at Georgia Tech before enjoying a successful career in the NFL. "The Brahma Bull" was named one of the linebackers on the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. A Decatur, Georgia native, he is one of the best players the state of Georgia has produced, a standout at the high school, college and pro levels.

Rosevelt Colvin

Rosevelt Colvin, III (born September 5, 1977) is a former American football linebacker, who now works as a football analyst for the Big Ten Network. Drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft, he played college football at Purdue.
Colvin played for the Chicago Bears between 1999 and 2002. Colvin has earned two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, and has also been a member of the Houston Texans.

Al Harris

Alfred Carl Harris (born December 31, 1956) is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.  He played college football for Arizona State University, and earned All-American honors.  He was a first-round pick in the 1979 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL.

Jim Morrissey

Jim Morrissey (born December 24, 1962) is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears and one with the Green Bay Packers.  He was a member of the Bears team that won Super Bowl XX following the 1985 NFL season. Morrissey had an interception down to the 5 yard line in the Super Bowl. He was also a member of the "Shuffling Crew" in the video The Super Bowl Shuffle. Morrissey was the last Bear to wear number 51 before it was retired in Dick Butkus' honor.
All-Big Ten linebacker at Michigan State University and team captain leaving the school with one of the highest number of tackles in school history.
One of five children, Morrissey began his football playing career in his prep school days at Flint's Powers Catholic High School earning All-American Honors. Morrissey married his high school sweetheart, Amy, with whom he has two daughters and two sons.

Barry Minter

Barry Antoine Minter (born January 28, 1970) is a former National Football League linebacker in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He played college football at the University of Tulsa.

Hunter Hillenmeyer

Hunter Taverner Hillenmeyer (born October 28, 1980) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft and played for the Chicago Bears from 2003 to 2010. Hillenmeyer attended high school at Montgomery Bell Academy and played college football at Vanderbilt University.
He is also a columnist for TheStreet.com.

Leonard Floyd

Leonard Cornilus Floyd is an American football outside linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia. 

Floyd received an invitation to the NFL combine as a top prospect in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. He attended the combine and performed the majority of combine drills before injuring his hamstring while running the 40-yard dash. He opted not to perform the bench press and was unable to perform the three-cone drill and short shuttle due to his injury. Coincidentally, teammate and fellow linebacker Jordan Jenkins also injured his hamstring and was unable to do the short shuttle and three-cone drill.

Bryan Cox

Bryan Keith Cox (born February 17, 1968) is an American football coach and former player.  His most recent position was as the defensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL).  He played college football for Western Illinois University, a small college football program, but received attention for his aggressive style of play.  Although Cox was a relatively late fifth-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 1991 NFL Draft, he rose to prominence as a standout linebacker during his twelve NFL seasons from 1991 through 2002.  He was a three-time pro bowler with the Miami Dolphins, and was also a member of the New England Patriots club that won Super Bowl XXXVI.

Warrick Holdman

Warrick Donte Holdman (born November 22, 1975 in Alief, Texas) is a former American football linebacker.  He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft.  He played college football at Texas A&M.

Pernell McPhee

Pernell McPhee (born December 17, 1988) is an American football outside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. He has also played for the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins.

Willie Young

Willie James Young Jr. (born September 19, 1985) is an American football defensive end and outside linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at NC State.

Nick Roach

Nicholas Alexander Roach (born June 16, 1985) is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Northwestern.
Roach also played for the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders.

Big fan of Chicago football? Then check out this list of Chicago Bears linebackers with photos and seasons as starters.&nbsp;It includes every starting ...