With so much discourse over the strength of Chicago’s pass catchers this year, as well as the concerns shared over the pass rushers, it got me thinking about previous position groups that have led the Bears and others that weighed their respective team down. Here, we take a look at some of the most noteworthy position groups in recent memory. We discussed the weakest groups here, so now let’s discuss the strongest.
What is the strongest position group in Bears history?
While I had planned on finishing this piece shortly after the last one about a month
ago, we’ve had quite a busy 30 days here at WCG. Not only with a brand new topic each and every day, but also recently with a ‘Historical All-Time Bears Fantasy Draft.’ The latter of which absolutely helped in the formulation of this article, so let’s get to it.
2018 Defensive Backs
If you like interceptions, you loved the defensive backfield of the 2018 Chicago Bears. Between All-Pros Eddie Jackson and Kyle Fuller, and veterans like Prince Amukamara, Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan, this group snagged TWENTY interceptions. Three of which returned for touchdowns like the one pictured here.
To say this unit was dangerous is an understatement. Not a weak link in the bunch.
They also combined for 63 pass breakups, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 more TD via recovery – which belonged to BoJack, of course. These guys were having fun, and the entire league watched with bated breath each week to see what creative collaborative celebration they would break out with next. An all time great unit, for sure.
2013 RB/WR/TE
Prior to 2013, you would have to go back to 1941 for the last time at least three offensive skill players made the Pro Bowl in the same year. And that was when there was only 10 teams in the entire league. Let’s just say the game was quite different back then. But Chicago’s 2013 squad could give any offense in the league today a run for their money. Pro-Bowl RB Matt Forte and WRs Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery led the team’s offense that season, but Martellus Bennett was no slouch at TE either. In 2013, Bennett recorded 65 catches for 759 yards and 5 TDs. He would record even more yards the following year, but at the time, his 759 yards were the 5th most All-Time in franchise history at the position. And he was the least successful of the bunch that season.
Matt Forte had 1,339 rushing yards and 9 TDs on the ground in addition to his 74(!) catches for another 594 yards and 3 TDs.
B-Marsh had 100 catches for 1,295 yards and 12 TDs, and Alshon had 89 catches for 1,421 yards and 7 TDs.
Oh, and Jay Cutler was throwing them the ball. Not bad at all, considering he is the franchise’s passing leader.
1985 Defensive Line
Anytime you have the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks in the lineup, you know it has a chance for best ever. That’s exactly what you have with this unit, led by the Bears’ all-time sack leader, Richard Dent.
The 1985 season was the pinnacle for this franchise, and despite featuring arguably the best football player of all time on offense, it was the defense that led the charge, and it was the defensive line that set the tone. Dent himself had 17 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 2 INTs, and one INT returned for a TD. Dent made first team All-Pro and Pro Bowl that season. Opposite him, Dan Hampton was a second team All-Pro and Pro Bowler with 6.5 sacks 2 FF and 3 FR and between these two were Steve “Mongo” McMichael and rookie William “The Refrigerator” Perry. Mongo was a first team All-Pro that season as well and boasted 8 sacks from the DT spot with 1 safety and 1 FR, while the Fridge, a first rounder out of Clemson, had 5 sacks himself along with 1 FF and 2 FR. This is as elite of a DL the league has ever seen.
1940 Offensive Line
The 1940 Chicago Bears offensive line featured a starting 5 that each made the Pro-Bowl and also had two All-Pro’s. In fact, four of them would go on to the Hall of Fame! Simply astounding.
Led by three way stud Joe Stydahar who was known to play defense on a occasion as well as kick extra points, Stydahar was one of the best to ever do it for Chicago. Flanking Joe was All-Pro Danny Fortmann who also excelled on Defense when he wasn’t bowling over defenders. Anchoring this elite unit was Clyde “Bulldog” Turner at the Center spot, who would go on to have an incredible Hall of Fame career, but would only make the Pro-Bowl in his rookie 1940 season. Bulldog also played both ways. At RG, the 1940 unit had Hall of Famer George Musso and at RT, All-Pro Lee Artoe rounded off this special group. Artoe would also play defense and kicker for The Beloved. Not sure if it gets any better on the OL than in 1940.
The list of greats goes on and on for this franchise.
The 1948 QB room, 1961 RBs 1963 LBs, 1985 LBs, 2005 LBs, ’85 DBs, ’85 OL, ’87 RBs, etc. etc.
And while some positions, like LB and RB were hard to crown one specific year, the ones above stood out just a bit more than the others for their respective position groups.
