Few franchises in the NFL can match the history and tradition of the Chicago Bears. With a legacy built on bruising defense, legendary toughness, and iconic figures, the Bears have produced some of the most memorable players the game has ever seen.
From hard-hitting linebackers to record-setting running backs, these are the guys who left it all on the field and carved out a place in Chicago football lore. Here’s our ranking of the 10 greatest Bears players of all time — and yes, it was hard to narrow it down.
10. Devin Hester
Hester changed the game as a return man, turning punts and kickoffs into must-watch plays. No one flipped field position — or scored out of nowhere — quite like him.
9. Mike Brown
Brown was the heart and soul of the Bears’ secondary in the early 2000s. His knack for clutch plays and pick-sixes made him a fan favorite and a defensive cornerstone.
8. Matt Forte
Forte was as reliable as they come — a dual-threat back who did it all. He quietly racked up over 12,000 total yards and made life a whole lot easier for whoever was under center.
7. Dan Hampton
Hampton was the anchor of the Bears’ dominant 1985 defense. Tough, physical, and relentless, he set the tone up front for one of the greatest units in NFL history.
6. Richard Dent
Dent was a sack machine and a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. He took home Super Bowl XX MVP honors and remains the Bears’ all-time leader in sacks.
5. Brian Urlacher
Urlacher was the face of the Bears for over a decade — a modern linebacker with speed, power, and brains. He ran the defense like a quarterback runs an offense and made plays all over the field.
4. Sid Luckman
Luckman revolutionized the quarterback position in the 1940s, leading the Bears to four NFL championships. He was decades ahead of his time and one of the game’s early greats.
3. Gale Sayers
Sayers’ career was short, but his impact was massive. Every time he touched the ball, he was a threat to score — poetry in motion on a football field.
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2. Mike Singletary
Singletary was the heart of the ‘85 Bears and one of the most intense leaders the NFL has ever seen. His eyes alone probably forced a few fumbles.
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1. Walter Payton
Sweetness was the total package — tough, graceful, and endlessly productive. He didn’t just run the ball; he inspired an entire generation of football fans and players.
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