Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. They play in the National Football League and are part of the National Football Conference North division. The Bears are one of the oldest teams in the NFL, starting in 1919. They play their home games at Soldier Field, near Lake Michigan.

The Bears have a long history, winning nine NFL Championships, including one Super Bowl. Their best time was in the 1980s when they won Super Bowl XX. The team has many players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and has retired several jersey numbers.

After 2006, the Bears had many changes with players and coaches. In 2025, the team's value was estimated at $8.9 billion, showing its importance in sports.

History

Main article: History of the Chicago Bears

1919–1939: Early Bears

The Chicago Bears started as the Decatur Staleys. A food company in Decatur, Illinois created the team. George Halas and Edward "Dutch" Sternaman began running the team in 1920. That year, the team joined the American Professional Football Association (AFPA), which later became the National Football League (NFL) in 1922.

The team moved to Chicago in 1921 and was renamed the Chicago Staleys. In 1922, Halas changed the name to the Bears and moved into Wrigley Field, where the Chicago Cubs baseball team played. The Bears began their rivalry with the Chicago Cardinals in 1920, and it lasted until 1959.

1940s: The Monsters of the Midway

From 1940 to 1947, quarterback Sid Luckman helped the Bears win many games. The team was called the "Monsters of the Midway" and had a famous helmet design. One big win was 73–0 against the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game.

1950s–1968: Late-Halas era

The Bears had hard times in the 1950s but won another NFL Championship in 1963. In the late 1960s and early-1970s, famous players like Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, and Brian Piccolo joined the team. Halas stopped coaching in 1967 but stayed with the team until he passed away in 1983.

1969–1982: Struggles

After joining another league, the Bears did not do well. In 1975, they drafted Walter Payton, who became a very popular player.

1983–1985: Contenders, then Super Bowl champions

Mike Ditka, a former Bears player, became the team's coach in 1982. The Bears reached the NFC Championship game in 1984 and won the Super Bowl in 1985. They had a strong defense and a fun team song called "The Super Bowl Shuffle".

1986–2003: Post-Super Bowl era

After winning in 1985, the Bears stayed competitive but did not reach the Super Bowl again. They tried two new coaches after Ditka left, but neither could lead the team back to the Super Bowl. The 1990s were not great years for the team.

2004–2012: Lovie Smith era

Lovie Smith became the head coach in 2004. He helped the team win their division and reach the playoffs several times, including a trip to Super Bowl XLI in 2006, but they did not win the championship.

2013–2014: Marc Trestman years

Former CFL coach Marc Trestman joined the Bears in 2013. The team ended the 2013 season with an 8–8 record, just missing the playoffs. The next season was harder, ending with a 5–11 record.

2015–2017: John Fox years

The Bears hired John Fox as head coach in 2015. The team did a little better in his first year but did worse in the next two, finishing with records of 6–10 and 3–13. Fox was fired after the 2017 season.

2018–2021: Matt Nagy years

The Bears hired Matt Nagy as head coach in 2018. The team won the NFC North that year and reached the playoffs, but lost in the first round. Nagy led the team to the playoffs two times, but he was fired after the 2021 season.

2022–2024: Matt Eberflus years

Matt Eberflus became the head coach in 2022. The team had a hard time, finishing with a 3–14 record in 2022 and a 7–10 record in 2023. Eberflus was fired during the 2024 season.

2025–present: Ben Johnson years

In 2025, the Bears hired Ben Johnson as head coach. The team finished the season with an 11–6 record, winning the NFC North and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

Ownership

The Chicago Bears are owned by the family of George Halas. His daughter, Virginia Halas McCaskey, was the main owner before she passed away. She controlled most of the team's shares and made important decisions. Other family members and business people also own smaller parts of the team.

The team was founded in 1919 by Augustus Eugene Staley. In 1921, Staley sold the team to Halas, who became the main owner. Halas kept ownership until he passed away in 1983. After that, his family continued to own the team. The team's value has grown over the years and is now worth billions of dollars.

Sponsorships

The Chicago Bears work with big companies like Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Miller Brewing Company, PNC Financial Services, United Airlines, Verizon, Xfinity, and Proven IT. They were the first team in the NFL to have a main partner, starting in 2004 with games called "Bears Football presented by Bank One". The team also works with WFLD, a Fox station in Chicago, to show games before the regular season.

Logos and uniforms

Main article: Logos and uniforms of the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have had only a few official logos. In 1940, their first logo showed a black bear running with a football. A new logo in 1946 had a navy blue bear on top of a football.

In 1962, the team introduced their famous "wishbone-C" logo. This logo looked like the "C" on the Cincinnati Reds baseball caps and the University of Chicago Maroons "C" logo. The Bears added this logo to their helmets.

In 2023, the Bears changed their main logo to an orange bear head. The "wishbone-C" logo is still used as a second logo on their helmets.

Team culture

Mascots and cheerleaders

Main articles: Staley Da Bear and Chicago Honey Bears

The Chicago Bears have fun mascots and cheerleaders to make games more exciting. Before 2003, there were two unofficial mascots named "Rocky" and "Bearman." Rocky was a fan who wore a Bears jersey and led cheers. Bearman was a season ticket holder who cheered and ran with a large Bears flag.

Today, the team's main mascot is Staley Da Bear, an animated bear who wears a special No. 00 jersey. He entertains fans at games and visits charity events.

The team also had a cheerleading group called the Chicago Honey Bears from 1976 to 1985. They wore different uniforms each year.

Philanthropy

The Bears care about helping others. Since 1998, they have worked with A Safe Place, a shelter in Waukegan, Illinois, that supports people in need. In 2017, Bears employees helped improve the shelter by fixing up the building and providing money to help it.

Rivalries

Divisional

Green Bay Packers

Main article: Bears–Packers rivalry

The Green Bay Packers are the Chicago Bears' biggest rivals, starting in 1920. The Packers have won more games, but the teams have played in important games before.

Detroit Lions

Main article: Bears–Lions rivalry

The Detroit Lions and the Bears have played since 1930. The Bears have won more of these games. In 1932, they played the first-ever NFL postseason game, which the Bears won. This game was played indoors at Chicago Stadium because of snow, and it was the first time the forward pass was used.

Minnesota Vikings

Main article: Bears–Vikings rivalry

The Bears played the Minnesota Vikings in their first-ever game. Minnesota has won more of these games overall.

Historic

Chicago/St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals

Main article: Bears–Cardinals rivalry

The Bears have one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, starting in 1920. The Bears have won more games in this rivalry. The Cardinals moved from Chicago to St. Louis and then to Phoenix, but the rivalry stays important.

New York Giants

Main article: Bears–Giants rivalry

The Bears and the New York Giants have played in many NFL championship games, more than any other two teams. The Bears have won four of these games.

San Francisco 49ers

The Bears and San Francisco 49ers became rivals in the 1980s, often meeting in the playoffs. The 49ers have won more games in this rivalry.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bears have a long rivalry with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Bears have won more games.

Washington Commanders

The Bears and the Washington Commanders have rivalry since 1932. The most famous game was in 1940, when the Bears won by a very large score. Washington has won more games overall.

Minor

Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams

The Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and the Bears played in the same division for many years. The Bears have won more games in this rivalry.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins and the Bears have not played often, but their games have been exciting. The most famous was in 1985, when Miami beat Chicago, stopping a perfect season. Miami has won more of these games.

Defunct

Rock Island Independents

The Bears had an early rivalry with the Rock Island Independents, and the Bears won most of those games.

Canton/Cleveland Bulldogs

The Canton/Cleveland Bulldogs were a big rival in the 1920s, and the Bears won most of their games.

Facilities

Stadium

Soldier Field is where the Bears play home games. It is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. The team moved there in 1971 because their old stadium, Wrigley Field, was too small for enough fans.

Soldier Field was closed and rebuilt in 2002. When it reopened in 2003, many fans called it “New Soldier Field.” During this time, the Bears played at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

In 2021, the Bears bought land in Arlington Heights where they might build a new stadium. In 2024, they thought about building it near Soldier Field on the Museum Campus, but decided to focus on Arlington Heights again.

Training camp locations

Until 1930, the Bears held training camp at their home stadiums. In 1930, they moved to Mills Stadium in Chicago. Over the years, they trained at many places including Loyola University Chicago, Notre Dame University, and St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana.

From 1975 to 1984, they trained at Lake Forest College. Then, from 1984 to 2001, they trained at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. In 2002, they moved their camp to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, but in 2020, they brought training back to Halas Hall.

Headquarters

Main article: Halas Hall

The Bears’ headquarters, Halas Hall, is in Lake Forest, Illinois. The team practices there during the season. The current Halas Hall opened in 1997 and has been expanded since then. The team also has an office in downtown Chicago for sales and events.

In popular culture

The 1971 TV movie Brian's Song starred Billy Dee Williams and James Caan. It told the story of two Chicago Bears players who helped each other. The movie was made again in 2001.

The Bears won the Super Bowl in 1985 and became very famous. That year, the team made a fun song called "The Super Bowl Shuffle". Many people watched their games because they were exciting.

The Bears and their coach, Mike Ditka, were popular and appeared in many places. They were part of a funny sketch on the TV show Saturday Night Live. Characters on many TV shows, like The Bob Newhart Show and Married... with Children, were shown as Bears fans. Even cartoons like Punky Brewster included the Bears in their stories.

Broadcast media

Radio

Today, WMVP (1000 AM) shows Bears games with Jeff Joniak describing what happens, and Tom Thayer, a former Bears player, giving comments. Over the years, many announcers have talked about the games, including Jack Brickhouse, Joe McConnell, and Wayne Larrivee.

Spanish radio station WLEY-FM showed Bears games from 2012 to 2014. Since 2015, WRTO and WVIV-FM have been showing the games in Spanish.

Television

Preseason games are shown on WFLD (channel 32). The announcers are Adam Amin (describing what happens), Jim Miller (giving comments), and Lou Canellis (reporting from the sidelines). WFLD also shows most of the team's regular games through the NFL on Fox. Any Bears home games against AFC teams are shown on the CBS station, WBBM-TV. Sunday night games are shown on WMAQ-TV, the NBC station, with ESPN Monday Night Football games shown either on ESPN or WLS-TV, the ABC station.

Statistics and records

Patrick Mannelly played the most seasons for the Bears, with 16. Steve McMichael played the most games in a row, with 191 games from 1981 to 1993. Robbie Gould became the team's top scorer in 2015, passing Kevin Butler. Walter Payton rushed for the most yards in team history with 16,726 yards.

The 1940 Chicago Bears had a big win, beating the Washington Redskins by 73 points in the 1940 NFL Championship Game. The team's biggest home win was against the Green Bay Packers in 1980, winning 61–7. Devin Hester set records for returning kicks, including the first-ever touchdown on the opening kick of a Super Bowl.

Season-by-season results

Main article: List of Chicago Bears seasons

This is a short list of the Bears' last five seasons. For the full list, see List of Chicago Bears seasons.

Note: The finish, wins, losses, and ties columns list regular season results and exclude any postseason play.

As of January 28, 2025

Records

Main article: List of Chicago Bears team records

Players of note

Further information: List of Chicago Bears players

Main article: List of Chicago Bears in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Chicago Bears have many famous players. They have the most players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with 32 players honored. Some early stars, like George Halas, Bronko Nagurski, and Red Grange, joined in 1963. Newer players like Devin Hester and Steve McMichael were added in 2024 and 2025.

The team has also honored players by retiring their uniform numbers. They have retired 14 numbers, more than any other football team. The last number retired was Mike Ditka’s number 89 in 2013.

In 2019, to celebrate the team’s 100th year, the Bears made a list of their top 100 players ever. Many of these players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Some players who were still with the team also made the list.

^𝙝𝙤𝙛   Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
^𝐟   Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist.
^HAF   Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
^vg   PFRA Hall of Very Good inductee.

Main article: Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame

The Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame honors great sports figures from the Chicago area. Many Bears players are part of this hall.

Retired numbers

The Bears have retired 14 uniform numbers, the most in the NFL. Their last retirement was Mike Ditka’s number 89 in 2013.

100 greatest Bears list

In 2019, the Bears made a list of their top 100 players ever. The list had many famous names, with some current players also on it.

^* As a Chicago Bear

Coaching staff

For a more in-depth look into the history of the head coaches of the Bears, see List of Chicago Bears head coaches.

Minor league affiliates

The NFL does not have minor leagues like other sports. But the Chicago Bears once had a minor league team. In 1939, the Bears bought a team called the Newark Tornadoes and renamed it the Bears. They used this team to help develop new players and let injured players practice. This was the first time a team did something like this in professional football. The practice stopped in 1972 when minor leagues ended and there were problems in the NFL.

Some important players from that time played for the minor league team.