Ranking the 17 greatest Bears players ever, from Brian Urlacher to Walter Payton

The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL's oldest franchises. In their first 100 seasons since entering the league in 2020, they won eight league championships before the merger with the AFL and added a post-merger ring in Super Bowl 20.

Along the way during their long, proud existence, the Bears have been graced with some of the best-ever pro football talent. The Sporting News ranks the 17 best players in Bears history, from one of the greatest return men of all time to the NFL's all-time second-leading rusher:

Players were ranked based on a points system made up of nine categories. Points from a scale of 1-10 were assigned based on each player's strength in a particular category and added up for a final score.

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17. Steve McMichael (1981-1993)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Steve "Mongo" McMichael was a Hall of Fame defensive tackle before his fruitful post-NFL wresting career. The 1980 third-round draft pick from Texas was one of the most disruptive interior playmakers of his time, racking up 92.5 sacks for the Bears playing nose as part of 814 total tackles.

Place in Bears history: McMichael was a massive menace on the field at 6-foot-2, 270 pounds with his rare combination of athleticism and strength. After his playing days were done, he also found success in the professional wrestling world. Joining Ric Flair's legendary Four Horsemen faction and winning the United States Championship are among his career highlights. He remains just as beloved for his big personality and remained in the spotlight before losing his battle with ALS and passing away in 2025, less than a year after being inducted into Canton. 

MORE: Sports world reacts to the death of Bears legend Steve McMichael

16. Devin Hester (2006-2013)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 3-time All-Pro, 2-time NFL punt return yardage leader, 1-time NFL kickoff return yardage leader, 3-time Special Teams Player of the Year

Why he made SN's list: Devin Hester was "ridiculous" as a dynamic game-changing return man, as Bears play-by-play man Jeff Joniak coined the appropriate adjective for him in a lasting famous call. He was so dangerous on kickoffs and punts as a threat to score a TD every time he touched the ball that opponents had nightmares about their special teams strategies to avoid giving him opportunities. Hester holds NFL records for most career punt return TDs (14) and most career total special teams return TDs (20). He also had a record-tying six such returns in his spectacular 2007 season and scored on the opening kickoff of Super Bowl 41 vs. the Colts.

Place in Bears history: Hester was tried at cornerback and wide receiver as some help for defense and offensive gadget plays, but he was so exceptional in his return role to the point he was the ultimate weapon in the third phase — so impactful that he earned an induction into the Hall of Fame.

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15. Dan Fortmann (1936-1943)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 6-time NFL All-Pro, 3-time NFL All-Star, 3-time NFL champion

Why he made SN's list: Dan Fortmann was a Hall of Fame force on offense and defense, playing guard and tackle and also linebacker during a fruitful time for the team in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He was a devastating play-caller and leader on both sides of the ball with excellent blocking and tackling skills. He also was instrumental in the historic 73-0 rout of Washington in the 1940 championship game, serving as the heart and soul for George Halas' best teams.

Place in Bears history: Fortmann played a long time ago, but his legacy endures as he helped lay the foundation for a dynasty with his hardnose and virtuoso performances.

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14. Doug Atkins (1955-1966)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 8 Pro Bowls, 1-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time NFL champion

Why he made SN's list: The super disruptive Hall of Fame defensive end helped the Bears win two more championships in two more decades. Doug Atkins came along to dominate at a time when sacks were starting to get more recognition and posted an unofficial 64.5 as a Bear before finishing strong with the Saints.

Place in Bears history: Atkins' pass-rush prowess puts him up there with fellow team greats such as Richard Dent, Steve McMichael and Dan Hamption.

MORE: Pro Football Hall of Famer Doug Atkins passes away at 85

13. Richard Dent (1983-1993, 1995)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, 1-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL sacks leader, 1-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP

Why he made SN's list: Richard Dent is the all-time Bears sack leader, producing 124.5 drops of quarterbacks in 170 regular-season games. He was a menacing edge presence in Buddy Ryan's "46" defense that rolled Chicago to a one-loss season and Super Bowl dominance during the 1985 season. Dent was the best of the Bears' great defensive players in Super Bowl 20, with his 1.5 sacks sparking the charge in a 46-10 romp over the Patriots.

Place in Bears history: Dent got overshadowed at times by some bigger personalities in the inevitable defensive shuffle to a Super Bowl ring, but he set the tone with his play from end, getting the ultimate honor with the Hall of Fame.

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12. Jimbo Covert (1983-1990)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Jimbo Covert was a Hall of Fame tackle who was known for his physical dominance run blocking for Walter Payton and others at a higher level with his 277-pound bulk to go with his 6-foot-4 frame.  He was an absolute supernova force through his less than a decade.

Place in Bears history: There was nothing undercover about Covert's key presence on a team that built into a Super Bowl champion under Mike Ditka, as he epitomized iron toughness and agility.

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11. Dan Hampton (1979-1990)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, 1-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: A versatile defensive lineman, Dan Hampton was able to dominate blockers both inside and outside, thriving by setting the tone as part of the disruptive front for Buddy Ryan's nasty 46 scheme, giving the team one of the best all-time units that rolled to victory in Super Bowl 20.

Place in Bears history: The Hall of Famer produced 57 sacks during his time with the Bears, officially good for third on the list behind fellow enshrined legends Richard Dent and Steve McMichael. 

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10. Brian Urlacher (2010-2012)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 8 Pro Bowls, 4-time first-team All-Pro, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 1-time NFL Defensive Player of the year, 1-time NFL solo tackles leader

Why he made SN's list: Brian Urlacher lived up to the great linebacker tradition in the franchise set by Mike Singletary and Dick Butkus. He was a tackling machine with great athleticism for coverage, showing that wire to wire in his career as a first-round pick out of New Mexico (No. 9 overall). He had a nose for delivering big plays and takeaways at the most clutch moments with fine consistency.

Place in Bears history: Urlacher is the Bears' second all-time leading tackler with 1,341 total in his career, to go along with 41.5 sacks and 22 interceptions. He was a venerable beloved leader for a team that found some major spikes of success.

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9. Bulldog Turner (1940-1952)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, 7-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL interceptions leader, 4-time NFL champion

Why he made SN's list: Clyde Douglas Turner lived up to his classic canine nickname with his literal old-school toughness and tenacity. He was a durable two-way player with massive impact on offense and defense as a Hall of Fame center and linebacker.

Place in Bears history: Turner (6-foot-1, 237 pounds) was an absolute freight train of a player, using all of his size, speed, strength and quickness when getting downfield as a blocker and upfield as a tackler. He was the leading clean up man for an early league dynasty.

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8. Mike Singletary (1981-1992)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls, 7-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, NFL Man of the Year, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Mike Singletary was a sensational intense and prolific tackling Hall of Fame inside linebacker, known for his bulging eyes that could quickly diagnose plays in front of him and then deliver a powerful finishing blow on ball and ball-carrier.

Place in Bears history: Singletary was feared by opponents and revered by teammates in kind. He ended up with a franchise-best 1,488 tackles and was an ironman, missing only a handful of games. From the time he was stolen in the draft's second round out of Baylor, Singetary made a relentless impact on the organization.

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7. Bill George (1952-1965)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 8 Pro Bowls 8-time All-Pro, 1-time NFL champion

Why he made SN's list: The Hall of Famer starred for a long time at three positions for the Bears: linebacker, guard and defensive tackle. Bill George was massive for his playing days at 6-foot-2, 287 pounds. He was a lean, mean machine in ripping into offenses in the middle of the field. 

Place in Bears history: For a team built on toughness through often rough environments, George is often known as the toughest of them all with his physical talent and mental execution.

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6. Mike Ditka (1961-1966)

Accolades: 6 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, 1-time NFL champion

Why he made SN's list: Mike Ditka burst on the scene as the NFL's pioneering receiving tight end, paving for other such receivers to make the Hall of Fame, too. "Iron Mike" was aptly drafted No. 5 overall out of Pittsburgh in 1961 and blew up as a rookie downfield threat with 56 catches for 1,076 yards and 12 TDs. 

Place in Bears history: Ditka finished his playing career well with the Eagles and Cowboys, but he became immortalized as a Bears legend when he was the head coach of the defense-dominant team that won Super Bowl 20 after the 1985 season. 

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5. Bronko Nagurski (1930-1937, 1943)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 4-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL rushing TDs leader, 3-time NFL champion

Why he made SN's list: Bronko Nagurski was a bruising Hall of Fame fullback in the still early run-heavy days of the NFL, also starring at offensive and defensive tackle. Whether with or without the ball, he plowed through opponents as runner, blocker and tackle alike.

Place in Bears history: A 6-foot-2, 226 pounds, Nagurski was a sweet combination of fleet feet and powerful arms. He stood out as a superstar of his day for being such a impactful part of a dynasty.

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4. Gale Sayers (1965-1971)

Accolades: 7 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, 5-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time NFL rushing yards leader, 1-time NFL scoring leader, 1-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 1-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Why he made SN's list: "The Kansas Comet" was one of the best NFL supernovas ever with his short but explosive and magical career as a Hall of Fame running back and return man. Gale Sayers came into the league as a first-rounder taken No. 4 overall in 1965, one pick after Bears linebacker legend Dick Butkus. At 6-foot, 198 pounds, Sayers was fast and elusive, adding up to him averaging 5.0 yards per carry and 92.1 scrimmage yards per game. 

Place in Bears history: Sayers, before needing to step away from the game with a troublesome knee injury, gave the Bears everything he had in his legs. He belongs with the all-time rushing greats, only No. 2 to Walter Payton on his own team.

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3. Sid Luckman (1939-1950)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 5-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL MVP, 3-time NFL passing yards leader, 3-time NFL passing TDs leader, 3-time NFL passer rating leader, 1-time NFL completion percentage leader, 4-time NFL champion

Why he made SN's list: Sid Luckman, one of the first notable Hall of Fame gunslingers at quarterback, rolled into to the Hall of Fame with his big arm and fearless downfield passing as a groundbreaking talent. At 6-foot, 197 pounds, Luckman joined Yankees great Lou Gehrig as an Ivy League pro superstar from Columbia, becoming beloved in Chicago as the leader of a dynasty. 

Place in Bears history: Luckman, despite playing before the 1960s, remains No. 2 in franchise history in passing yards (14,686) and passing TDs (137). He also averaged 8.4 yards per attempt and went 95-30-2 as the Bears starting QB.

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2. Dick Butkus (1965-1973)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 8 Pro Bowls, 5-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Why he made SN's list: Dick Butkus was a Chicago legend through and through, born and raised in the city before starring down the road at the University of Illinois and returning to dominate the NFL as a relentless speedy tackler, an intimidating hard hitter and a high-energy athlete. He could quickly blow up game plans for passing and running games with his presence and execution.

Place in Bears history: Butkus made middle linebacker a glamor position in playing his way into the Hall of Fame. He became an even bigger crossover celebrity after his retirement with acting roles of notes. He also managed to be beloved and seen as fun-loving by all to balance his ferocious on-field nature as a gentler giant of the game off field at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds.

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1. Walter Payton (1975-1987)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 9 Pro Bowls, 5-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL MVP, 1-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 1-time NFL rushing yards leader, 1-time NFL rushing TDs leader, NFL Man of the Year, 1-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: His nickname was "Sweetness" and he liked to dance through defenses with his smooth, high-stepping and sometimes powerful rushing style. Walter Payton made running look like a different art form as he rolled to big-time rushing totals. Taken No. 4 overall in the 1975 draft from Jackson State, Payton reenergized the Bears' post-Gale Sayers dormant rushing attack with his explosive and Bear-tough play. 

Place in Bears history: Payton is No. 1 with his 16,726 rushing yards, 110 rushing TDs and average of 88 rushing yards per game. He still remains No. 2 all-time in rushing yards in league history behind fellow Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, who broke his record.

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