Editing Chicago Bears

{{short description|National Football League franchise in Chicago, Illinois}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL team
| name = Chicago Bears
| current = 2025 Chicago Bears season
| logo = Chicago Bears logo primary.svg
| wordmark = Chicago Bears wordmark.svg
| established = {{Start date and age|1920|09|17}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Mayer|first=Larry|title=Bears, NFL celebrate 100th birthday Thursday|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-nfl-celebrate-100th-birthday-thursday|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=September 17, 2020|access-date=February 14, 2023|archive-date=February 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214031102/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-nfl-celebrate-100th-birthday-thursday|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chicago Bears Team Facts|url=https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/chicago-bears/team-facts/|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=ProFootballHOF.com|access-date=February 14, 2023|archive-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412170644/https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/chicago-bears/team-facts/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| first_season = [[1920 Decatur Staleys season|1920]]
| stadium = [[Soldier Field]], [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]]
| headquartered =[[Halas Hall]], [[Lake Forest, Illinois]]
| colors = Navy blue, orange, white<ref name=brandguidelines>{{cite web|title=Brand Guidelines|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/about/brand-guidelines|website=ChicagoBears.com|access-date=July 8, 2024|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926000405/https://www.chicagobears.com/about/brand-guidelines|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=History of the Bears Uniform|chapter-url=https://static.www.nfl.com/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2023/CHI.pdf#page=315|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|title=2023 Chicago Bears Media Guide|url=https://static.www.nfl.com/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2023/CHI.pdf|access-date=July 8, 2024|quote=In 1935 the Bears introduced an orange jersey with black arm stripes and black helmet and by 1958 were wearing the familiar navy blue with burnt orange.|archive-date=July 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708183545/https://static.www.nfl.com/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2023/CHI.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=Chicago Bears Team Capsule|chapter-url=https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2022/2022_NFL_Record_and_Fact_Book.pdf#page=159|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|title=2022 Official National Football League Record and Fact Book|url=https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2022/2022_NFL_Record_and_Fact_Book.pdf|date=July 20, 2022|access-date=July 8, 2024|archive-date=November 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106030504/http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><br />{{color box|#0B162A}} {{color box|#E64100}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
| uniform = [[File:Chicago Bears Uniforms 2022-present.png|250px]]
| coach = [[Ben Johnson (American football coach)|Ben Johnson]] 
| owner = [[George McCaskey]]
| chairman = George McCaskey
| ceo = [[Kevin Warren]]
| president = Kevin Warren
| general manager = [[Ryan Poles]]<ref name="Mayer">{{cite news|first=Larry|last=Mayer|title=Bears hire Ryan Poles as general manager|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-hire-ryan-poles-as-general-manager|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=January 25, 2022|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-date=January 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126013721/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-hire-ryan-poles-as-general-manager|url-status=live}}</ref>
| mascot = [[Staley Da Bear]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Staley's Page|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/fan-zone/staley|website=ChicagoBears.com|access-date=July 19, 2023|archive-date=April 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416033552/https://www.chicagobears.com/fan-zone/staley|url-status=live}}</ref>
| song = "[[Bear Down, Chicago Bears]]"
| website = {{URL|chicagobears.com}}
| nicknames =
* [[Bill Swerski's Superfans|Da Bears]]
* [[Monsters of the Midway|The Monsters of the Midway]]
| hist_yr = 1922
| hist_misc =
* Decatur Staleys (1920)
* Chicago Staleys (1921)
| affiliate_old =
| NFL_start_yr = 1920
| division_hist =
* Western Division (1933–1949)
* National Conference (1950–1952)
* Western Conference (1953–1969)
** [[NFC North|Central Division]] (1967–1969)
* '''[[National Football Conference]] (1970–present)'''
** [[NFC North|NFC Central]] (1970–2001)
** '''[[NFC North]] (2002–present)'''
| no_league_champs = 9
| no_sb_champs = 1
| no_conf_champs = 4
| no_div_champs = 19
| league_champs =
* '''[[List of NFL champions (1920–1969)|NFL championships]] (pre-1970 [[AFL–NFL merger]]) (8)'''<br />[[1921 Chicago Staleys season|1921]], [[1932 Chicago Bears season|1932]], [[1933 Chicago Bears season|1933]], [[1940 Chicago Bears season|1940]], [[1941 Chicago Bears season|1941]], [[1943 Chicago Bears season|1943]], [[1946 Chicago Bears season|1946]], [[1963 Chicago Bears season|1963]]
| sb_champs = [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985]] ([[Super Bowl XX|XX]])
| conf_champs =
* '''NFL Western:''' [[1956 Chicago Bears season|1956]], [[1963 Chicago Bears season|1963]]
* '''[[NFC Championship Game|NFC]]:''' [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985]], [[2006 Chicago Bears season|2006]]
| div_champs =
* '''NFL Western:''' [[1933 Chicago Bears season|1933]], [[1934 Chicago Bears season|1934]], [[1937 Chicago Bears season|1937]], [[1940 Chicago Bears season|1940]], [[1941 Chicago Bears season|1941]], [[1942 Chicago Bears season|1942]], [[1943 Chicago Bears season|1943]], [[1946 Chicago Bears season|1946]]
* '''[[NFC Central]]:''' [[1984 Chicago Bears season|1984]], [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985]], [[1986 Chicago Bears season|1986]], [[1987 Chicago Bears season|1987]], [[1988 Chicago Bears season|1988]], [[1990 Chicago Bears season|1990]], [[2001 Chicago Bears season|2001]]
* '''[[NFC North]]:''' [[2005 Chicago Bears season|2005]], [[2006 Chicago Bears season|2006]], [[2010 Chicago Bears season|2010]], [[2018 Chicago Bears season|2018]]
| stadium_years =
* [[Staley Field]] ([[1919 Decatur Staleys season|1919]]–{{nfly|1920}})
* [[Wrigley Field]] ({{nfly|1921|1970}})
* '''[[Soldier Field]] ({{nfly|1971|2001}}, {{nfly|2003}}–present)'''
{{hiddenbegin|headerstyle=text-align:left|header=Temporary stadiums}}
'''[[1970 Chicago Bears season|1970]] due to renovations to [[Wrigley Field]]:'''
* [[Dyche Stadium]] (one game)
'''[[2002 Chicago Bears season|2002]] due to renovations to [[Soldier Field]]:'''
* [[Memorial Stadium (University of Illinois)|Memorial Stadium]] 
{{hiddenend}}
| team_presidents =
* George Halas (1921–1953)
* [[George Halas Jr.]] (1963–1979)<ref>{{cite web|title=George Halas, Jr|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/history_70s.asp|website=ChicagoBears.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061211003223/http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/history_70s.asp|archive-date=December 11, 2006|access-date=December 13, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Michael McCaskey]] (1983–1999)
* [[Ted Phillips]] (1999–2022)
* '''[[Kevin Warren]] (2023–present)'''
| playoff_appearances =
* '''NFL:''' [[1932 NFL Playoff Game|1932]], [[1933 NFL Championship Game|1933]], [[1934 NFL Championship Game|1934]], [[1937 NFL Championship Game|1937]], [[1940 NFL Championship Game|1940]], [[1941 NFL Championship Game|1941]], [[1942 NFL Championship Game|1942]], [[1943 NFL Championship Game|1943]], [[1946 NFL Championship Game|1946]], [[1950 NFL playoffs|1950]], [[1956 NFL Championship Game|1956]], [[1963 NFL Championship Game|1963]], [[1977–78 NFL playoffs|1977]], [[1979–80 NFL playoffs|1979]], [[1984–85 NFL playoffs|1984]], [[1985–86 NFL playoffs|1985]], [[1986–87 NFL playoffs|1986]], [[1987–88 NFL playoffs|1987]], [[1988–89 NFL playoffs|1988]], [[1990–91 NFL playoffs|1990]], [[1991–92 NFL playoffs|1991]], [[1994–95 NFL playoffs|1994]], [[2001–02 NFL playoffs|2001]], [[2005–06 NFL playoffs|2005]], [[2006–07 NFL playoffs|2006]], [[2010–11 NFL playoffs|2010]], [[2018–19 NFL playoffs|2018]], [[2020-21 NFL playoffs|2020]]
| no_playoff_appearances = 28
| team_owners =
* [[A. E. Staley]] (1920–1921)
* [[George Halas]] and [[Edward Sternaman]] (1921–1931)
* George Halas (1931–1983)
* '''[[Virginia Halas McCaskey]] (1983–2025){{efn|Principal owner and control 80.3% of the stocks held by her family. [[Pat Ryan (executive)|Pat Ryan]] and [[Andrew J. McKenna]]'s estate own 19.7% of the club.}}'''
}}
The '''Chicago Bears''' are a professional [[American football]] team based in [[Chicago]]. The Bears compete in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) as a member of the [[National Football Conference]] (NFC) [[NFC North|North]] division. They are one of two remaining franchises from the NFL founding in 1920, along with the [[Arizona Cardinals]], which also began in Chicago. The Bears played home games at [[Wrigley Field]] on Chicago's [[North Side, Chicago|North Side]] through the 1970 season; they have played since then at [[Soldier Field]] on the [[Near South Side, Chicago|Near South Side]], adjacent to [[Lake Michigan]].

The franchise was founded in [[Decatur, Illinois]], on September 20, 1919,<ref>{{cite news |title=Staley Plant Has Organized Football Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-staley-plant-has-organ/36596525/ |access-date=January 29, 2024 |newspaper=[[Herald & Review]] |date=September 21, 1919 |pages=3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129135551/https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-staley-plant-has-organ/36596525/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://thesouthern.com/sports/gallery-looking-back-at-the-decatur-roots-of-the-chicago-bears/collection_d4b682e2-50fa-52e9-b84d-5432c398ac7c.html |title=GALLERY: Looking back at the Decatur roots of the Chicago Bears |work=[[The Southern Illinoisan]] |date=June 28, 2023 |accessdate=January 28, 2024 |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129010706/https://thesouthern.com/sports/gallery-looking-back-at-the-decatur-roots-of-the-chicago-bears/collection_d4b682e2-50fa-52e9-b84d-5432c398ac7c.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gempsy |first=Gary |url=https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/chicago-bears-2019-schedule-100th-season |title=Chicago Bears 2019 Schedule: 100th Season |work=Patch Media |date=September 5, 2019 |accessdate=January 28, 2024 |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129010707/https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/chicago-bears-2019-schedule-100th-season |url-status=live }}</ref> became professional on September 17, 1920, and moved to Chicago in 1921.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Historical Highlights|chapter-url=https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/v1597160069/league/yjlwzghwirowmp13x4ut.pdf#page=236|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|title=2020 Chicago Bears Media Guide|url=https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/v1597160069/league/yjlwzghwirowmp13x4ut.pdf|date=August 11, 2020|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321151645/https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/v1597160069/league/yjlwzghwirowmp13x4ut.pdf#page=236|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Halas>{{cite book|title=Halas By Halas|first1=George|last1=Halas|last2=Morgan|first2=Gwen|last3=Veysey|first3=Arthur|publisher=McGraw Hill|year=1979|pages=53–54}}</ref> The Bears have won nine [[History of the National Football League championship|NFL Championships]], eight prior to the [[AFL–NFL merger]] and one [[Super Bowl]]. They hold the NFL records for the most enshrinees in the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] and the most [[retired number|retired jersey]] numbers. The Bears' NFL championships and [[List of all-time NFL win–loss records|overall victories]] are second behind the [[Green Bay Packers]],<ref name=CBFE>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/|title=Chicago Bears Franchise Encyclopedia|access-date=August 15, 2008|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830025837/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/|archive-date=August 30, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/|title=Green Bay Packers Franchise Encyclopedia|access-date=August 15, 2008|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011054633/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/|archive-date=October 11, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=All-Time Win–Loss Records By Team|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/all-time-win-loss-records/|publisher=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]|access-date=August 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807002013/http://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/all-time-win-loss-records/|archive-date=August 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> with whom they have a [[Bears–Packers rivalry|long-standing rivalry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/#headtohead|title=Chicago Bears Team Encyclopedia|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|access-date=December 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121124751/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/#headtohead|archive-date=November 21, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bears reached their greatest modern period of success in the 1980s under head coach [[Mike Ditka]], with whom they won [[Super Bowl XX]] in the [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985 season]]. The Bears appeared in their [[Super Bowl XLI|second Super Bowl]] during the [[2006 Chicago Bears season|2006 season]], which they lost to the [[Indianapolis Colts]]. Since 2006 the Bears have struggled to find regular success, winning their last playoff game in [[2010 Chicago Bears season|2011]] and last division title in [[2018 Chicago Bears season|2018]].

The team headquarters, [[Halas Hall]], is in the Chicago suburb of [[Lake Forest, Illinois]]. The Bears practice at adjoining facilities there during the season, and began hosting training camp at Halas Hall in 2020 after major renovations.
==History==
{{main|History of the Chicago Bears}}

===1919–1939: Early Bears===
{{Blockquote|In March of 1920 a man telephoned me ... George Chamberlain and he was general superintendent of the A.E. Staley Company ... In 1919<!--Yes, 1919. This is NOT a typo-->, [the company's Fellowship Club] had formed a football team. It had done well against other local teams but Mr. Staley wanted to build it into a team that could compete successfully with the best semi-professional and industrial teams in the country ... Mr. Chamberlain asked if I would like to come to Decatur and work for the Staley Company.|[[George Halas]], in his book ''Halas by Halas''.<ref name=Halas/>}}

[[File:Pete Rozelle and George Halas.jpg|thumb|left|Bears founder [[George Halas]] (right) with NFL commissioner [[Pete Rozelle]], early 1980s]]
Originally named the '''Decatur Staleys''', the club was established by the [[A. E. Staley]] food starch company of [[Decatur, Illinois]], as a company team. This was the typical start for several early professional football franchises. The team played independently in [[1919 Decatur Staleys season|1919]], winning the Central Illinois Championship.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |last=Conn |first=Justin |date=September 17, 2018 |title=The Chicago Bears NFL franchise began in Decatur as the Staleys |url=https://herald-review.com/news/local/the-chicago-bears-nfl-franchise-began-in-decatur-as-the/article_c6273ddc-07ba-53b8-bd12-f9742c6956e6.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228084709/https://herald-review.com/news/local/the-chicago-bears-nfl-franchise-began-in-decatur-as-the/article_c6273ddc-07ba-53b8-bd12-f9742c6956e6.html |archive-date=December 28, 2018 |access-date=December 28, 2018 |publisher=Herald & Review}}</ref> The company hired [[George Halas]] and [[Edward Sternaman|Edward "Dutch" Sternaman]] in 1920 to run the team. The [[1920 Decatur Staleys season]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independentfootball.site90.com/Teams/1920DecStaleys.htm |title=1920 Decatur Staleys |publisher=Independentfootball.site90.com |access-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716075300/http://www.independentfootball.site90.com/Teams/1920DecStaleys.htm |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> was their inaugural [[Regular Season (NFL)|regular season]] completed in the newly formed American Professional Football Association (later renamed the [[National Football League]] (NFL) in 1922).

Full control of the team was turned over to Halas and Sternaman in 1921.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Decatur Staleys |work=Local Website |url=http://home.comcast.net/~esterneman/sternaman/football.htm |access-date=June 15, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20040223062149/http://home.comcast.net/~esterneman/sternaman/football.htm |archive-date=February 23, 2004 }}</ref> Official team and league records cite Halas as the founder as he took over the team in 1920 when it became a charter member of the NFL.<ref>{{cite web|title=George Halas: Hall of Fame Member|work=Pro Football Hall of Fame|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=85|access-date=May 14, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060405133723/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?PLAYER_ID=85|archive-date=April 5, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>

The team moved to Chicago in 1921, where the club was renamed the '''Chicago Staleys'''; Under an agreement reached by Halas and Sternaman with Staley, they received US$5,000 to keep the name "Staleys" for the 1921 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chicago Bears Team History|url=https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/chicago-bears/team-history/|website=Pro Football Hall of Fame|language=en-US|access-date=January 3, 2024|archive-date=June 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611193128/https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/chicago-bears/team-history/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1922, Halas changed the team name from the Staleys to the '''Bears'''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/history-by-decades/highlights-1920s.html |title=Highlights from the 1920s |publisher=Chicago Bears |access-date=December 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416071306/http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/history-by-decades/highlights-1920s.html |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The team moved into [[Wrigley Field]], home of the [[Chicago Cubs]] [[baseball]] franchise. As with several early NFL franchises, the Bears derived their nickname from their city's baseball team (bears' young are called "cubs").<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chicagoist.com/2007/01/31/ask_chicagoist_why_are_they_called_the_bears.php |title=Ask Chicagoist: Why Are They Called the Bears? |last=Exoo |first=Thales |publisher=[[Gothamist]] |date=January 31, 2007 |website=Chicagoist |access-date=December 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510153921/http://chicagoist.com/2007/01/31/ask_chicagoist_why_are_they_called_the_bears.php |archive-date=May 10, 2017 }}</ref> Halas liked the bright orange-and-blue colors of his alma mater, the [[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign|University of Illinois]], and the Bears adopted those colors as their own, albeit in a darker shade of each (the blue is [[Pantone]] 5395, [[navy blue]], and the orange is Pantone 1665, similar to burnt orange).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/uniform-history.html |title=Chicago Bears Uniform History |publisher=Chicago Bears |access-date=December 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407205428/http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/uniform-history.html |archive-date=April 7, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://prod.static.bears.clubs.nfl.com/assets/docs/cb_brand_book_050410.pdf#page=15 |title=The Chicago Bears Brand |publisher=Chicago Bears |format=PDF |access-date=December 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304230137/http://prod.static.bears.clubs.nfl.com/assets/docs/cb_brand_book_050410.pdf#page=15 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Staleys/Bears dominated the league in the early years. Their rivalry with the [[Arizona Cardinals|Chicago Cardinals]], the oldest in the NFL (and a crosstown rival from 1920 to 1959), was key in four out of the first six league titles. During the league's first six years, the Bears lost twice to the [[Canton Bulldogs]] (who took two league titles over that span), and split with their crosstown rival Cardinals (going 4–4–2 against each other over that span), but no other team in the league defeated the Bears more than a single time. During that span, the Bears posted 34 shutouts.

The Bears' rivalry with the [[Green Bay Packers]] is one of the oldest and most storied in American professional sports, dating back to 1921 (the Green Bay Packers were an independent team until they joined the NFL in 1921). In one infamous incident that year, Halas got the Packers expelled from the league in order to prevent their signing a particular player, and then graciously got them re-admitted after the Bears had closed the deal with that player.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peterson |first=Brian |title=Love-Hate Relationship: Bears-Packers Rivalry Always Bittersweet |url=http://www.packers.com/news/stories/2000/09/28/1/ |publisher=Green Bay Packers |date=September 28, 2000 |access-date=June 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107015852/http://www.packers.com/news/stories/2000/09/28/1/ |archive-date=January 7, 2010 }}</ref>

[[File:1924bears.jpg|left|thumb|The 1924 team photo]]The franchise was an early success under Halas, capturing the NFL Championship in {{nfly|1921}} and remaining competitive throughout the decade. In 1924 the Bears claimed the Championship after defeating the [[Cleveland Bulldogs]] on December 7, even putting the title "World's Champions" on their 1924 team photo. But the NFL had ruled that games after November 30 did not count towards league standings, and the Bears had to settle for second place behind Cleveland.<ref>{{cite web|title=1924: The Third Time is Charmed |work=PFRA |url=http://footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=1924b |access-date=February 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013105712/http://footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=1924b |archive-date=October 13, 2007 }}</ref> Their only losing season came in {{nfly|1929}}.

During the 1920s the club was responsible for triggering the NFL's long-standing rule that a player could not be signed until his college's senior class had graduated. The NFL took that action as a consequence of the Bears' aggressive signing of famous University of Illinois player [[Red Grange]] within a day of his final game as a collegian.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Larry  |title=Galloping Ghost scared opponents |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014213.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051231152202/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014213.html |archive-date=December 31, 2005 |access-date=December 1, 2005 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

Despite much of the on-field success, the Bears were a team in trouble. They faced the problem of increased operating costs and flatlined attendance. The Bears would only draw roughly 5,000–6,000 fans a game, while a University of Chicago game would draw 40,000–50,000 fans a game. By adding top college football draw Red Grange to the roster, the Bears knew that they found something to draw more fans to their games. C.C. Pyle was able to secure a $2,000 per game contract for Grange, and in one of the first games, the Bears defeated the Green Bay Packers, 21–0. However, Grange remained on the sidelines while learning the team's plays from Bears quarterback [[Joey Sternaman]]. Later in 1925, The Bears would go on a barnstorming tour, showing off the best football player of the day. 75,000 people paid to see Grange lead the Bears to a 17–7 victory over the Los Angeles Tigers, who were a quickly put together team of West Coast college all-stars. After a loss to San Francisco, the Bears cruised to a 60–3 over a semi-pro team called the Portland All Stars.<ref name="ChicagoBears">{{cite book |last1=Whittingham |first1=Richard |last2=Ditka |first2=Mike |title=The Chicago Bears: From George Halas to Super Bowl XX |year=1986 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0-671-62885-7 |oclc=13795870 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/chicagobearsfrom0000whit }}</ref>

Any hopes that Grange would lead the Bears to glory in 1926 were quickly dashed. A failed contract talk led to Grange bolting to the AFL's [[New York Yankees (NFL)|New York Yankees]], owned by Pyle. The Bears also lost star quarterback Joey Sternaman, who joined the [[Chicago Bulls (AFL, 1926)|Chicago Bulls of the AFL]]. The Bears replaced Grange with Paddy Driscoll, a star football player in his own right. The Bears used the money made from the Grange barn-storming tour to sign the man that replaced him. Grange split his time between making movies and playing football. However, the time was not right to have two competing pro football leagues, and the AFL folded after only one season. Grange would return to the Bears.<ref name="ChicagoBears" />

After the financial losses of the {{nfly|1932}} Championship season, Halas' partner Dutch Sternaman left the organization. Halas maintained full control of the Bears until his death in 1983. He also coached the team off-and-on for forty seasons, an NFL record. In the [[NFL Playoff Game, 1932|1932 "Unofficial" NFL Championship]], the Bears defeated the [[Portsmouth Spartans]] in the first NFL playoff game.<ref name=fpg>{{cite web|url=https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/decades-1930s-first-playoff-game/|title=First Playoff Game|publisher=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]|accessdate=November 28, 2023}}</ref> Due to blizzard conditions in Chicago, the game was played at [[Chicago Stadium]],<ref name=fpg/><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF-MYaFH6us|title=Doc Emrick tells the odd tale of the 1932 NFL Championship Game|publisher=[[NBC Sports]]|via=[[YouTube]]|date=December 12, 2021|accessdate=November 28, 2023|archive-date=March 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320050232/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF-MYaFH6us|url-status=live}}</ref> marking it as the first indoor American football game.

The success of the playoff game led the NFL to institute a championship game. In the first [[History of NFL Championships|NFL Championship]], the Bears played against the [[New York Giants]], defeating them 23–21. The teams met again in the [[1934 NFL Championship Game|1934 NFL Championship]] where the [[1933 New York Giants season|Giants]], wearing sneakers<ref>See [[1934 NFL Championship Game]] for more information on how the Giants wore sneakers and defeated the Bears</ref> defeated the Bears 30–13 on a cold, icy day at the [[Polo Grounds]].

===1940s: The Monsters of the Midway===
From 1940 to 1947, [[quarterback]] [[Sid Luckman]] led the Bears to victories in four out of the five NFL Championship Games in which they appeared. The team acquired the [[University of Chicago]]'s discarded nickname "[[Monsters of the Midway]]" and their famous helmet [[wishbone-C]], as well as a newly penned [[Bear Down, Chicago Bears|theme song]] that declared them "The Pride and Joy of Illinois". One famous victory during that period was their 73–0 victory over the favored [[1939 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] at [[Griffith Stadium]] in the [[1940 NFL Championship Game]];<ref name="j957" /> the score is still an NFL record for lopsided results.<ref>{{cite web|title=General History — Chronology (1940 to 1959)|work=Pro Football Hall of Fame|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/general/chronology/1940-1959.jsp|access-date=January 1, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213031909/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/general/chronology/1940-1959.jsp|archive-date=February 13, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> The secret behind the one-sided outcome was the introduction of a new offensive formation by Halas. The [[T-formation]], as Halas named it, involved two [[running back]]s instead of the traditional one in the backfield. Luckman established himself as one of the franchise's most elite quarterbacks. Between 1939 and 1950, he set the Bears' passing records for most career touchdowns, yards, and completions. Many of Luckman's records stood for decades before they were eclipsed by [[Jay Cutler]] in {{NFL Year|2014}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sid Luckman|work=Pro Football Hall of Fame|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=135|access-date=July 12, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907082245/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=135|archive-date=September 7, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>
Cutler then went on to break Luckman's franchise record for most career passing touchdowns a year later in {{NFL Year|2015}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2015 |title=Cutler sets Bears record with 138th TD pass |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14094573/jay-cutler-sets-chicago-bears-record-138th-touchdown-pass |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110210713/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14094573/jay-cutler-sets-chicago-bears-record-138th-touchdown-pass |archive-date=November 10, 2015 |access-date=January 25, 2016 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

===1950s–1968: Late-Halas era===
[[File:8X10A 1961 Chicago Bears o-line practice 1.jpg|thumb|1961 Bears offensive line practicing for the [[Armed Forces Benefit Football Game]]]]
After declining throughout the 1950s, the team rebounded in {{nfly|1963}} to capture its eighth NFL Championship, which would be its last until 1985.<ref name="h741">{{cite web | last=Coppock | first=Chet | title=Bears defeat Giants 14-10 for 1963 championship | website=Chicago Bears | date=2013-12-27 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-defeat-giants-14-10-for-1963-championship-12278583 | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802195945/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-defeat-giants-14-10-for-1963-championship-12278583 | url-status=live }}</ref> The late 1960s and early-1970s produced notable players like [[Dick Butkus]], [[Gale Sayers]], and [[Brian Piccolo]],<ref>the subject of the film ''[[Brian's Song]]''</ref> who died of [[embryonal carcinoma]] in 1970. The American television network [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] aired a movie about Piccolo in 1971 entitled ''[[Brian's Song]]'', starring [[James Caan (actor)|James Caan]] and [[Billy Dee Williams]] in the roles of Piccolo and Sayers respectively; [[Jack Warden]] won an [[Emmy Award]] for his performance as Halas. The movie was later released for theater screenings after first being shown on television. Despite Hall of Fame careers, Butkus and Sayers would also have their careers cut short due to injuries, hamstringing the Bears of this era.

Halas retired as coach in [[1967 Chicago Bears season|1967]] and spent the rest of his days in the front office.<ref name="r846">{{cite web | title=The Story of "Papa Bear" George Halas | website=University of Illinois Athletics | date=2020-02-02 | url=https://fightingillini.com/news/2020/2/2/general-the-story-of-papa-bear-george-halas.aspx | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=September 14, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914224536/https://fightingillini.com/news/2020/2/2/general-the-story-of-papa-bear-george-halas.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref> He became the only person to be involved with the NFL throughout the first 60 years of its existence. He was also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's first induction class in 1963.<ref name="u291">{{cite web | title=Inaugural HOF Class of 1963 | website=Pro Football Hall of Fame | date=1963-01-29 | url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2020/09/inaugural-hof-class-of-1963/#:~:text=The%20first%20class%20of%20enshrinees,Joe%20Carr%2C%20Tim%20Mara%20and | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802200117/https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2020/09/inaugural-hof-class-of-1963/#:~:text=The%20first%20class%20of%20enshrinees,Joe%20Carr%2C%20Tim%20Mara%20and | url-status=live }}</ref> As the only living founder of the NFL at the February 1970 [[AFL-NFL Merger|merger]] between the NFL and the [[American Football League]], the owners honored Halas by electing him the first President of the [[National Football Conference]], a position that he held until his death in 1983. In his honor, the NFL named the NFC Championship trophy as the [[NFC Championship|George Halas Memorial Trophy]].<ref name="h712">{{cite web | last=Kozlowski | first=Joe | title=Who were Lamar Hunt and George Halas, and why are trophies named for them? | website=Newsweek | date=2024-01-28 | url=https://www.newsweek.com/who-were-lamar-hunt-george-halas-why-are-nfl-trophies-named-them-1864064 | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802200048/https://www.newsweek.com/who-were-lamar-hunt-george-halas-why-are-nfl-trophies-named-them-1864064 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===1969–1982: Struggles===
[[File:1986 Jeno's Pizza - 12 - Walter Payton (Walter Payton crop).jpg|thumb|Payton set several franchise and NFL records in rushing during his 13-season career with the Bears.]]
After the merger, the Bears finished the [[1970 Chicago Bears season|1970 season]] last place in their division, a repeat of their placing in the [[1969 Chicago Bears season|1969 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1970 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1970.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007202641/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1970.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[1975 Chicago Bears season|1975]], the Bears [[1975 NFL draft|drafted]] [[Walter Payton]] from [[Jackson State University]] with their first pick.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/payton-keyed-bears-outstanding-1975-draft|title=Payton keyed Bears' outstanding 1975 draft|website=chicagobears.com|date=April 17, 2020|accessdate=April 15, 2024|archive-date=December 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208060905/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/payton-keyed-bears-outstanding-1975-draft|url-status=live}}</ref> He won the [[NFL Most Valuable Player award]] in the [[1977 NFL season|1977–78 season]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Walter Payton's Statistics|work=Pro Football Hall of Fame|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=174|access-date=June 3, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628020941/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?PLAYER_ID=174|archive-date=June 28, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Remembering Walter Payton |work=Daily Herald |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/special/payton/timeline.htm |access-date=June 11, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813132908/http://www.dailyherald.com/special/payton/timeline.htm |archive-date=August 13, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Payton would go on to eclipse [[Jim Brown]]'s NFL career [[rush (American football)|rushing]] record in 1984 before retiring in 1987, and would hold the mark until {{nfly|2002}}, when [[Emmitt Smith]] of the [[Dallas Cowboys]] surpassed it.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Smith passes Payton as NFL's career rushing leader|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/10/27/smith_record_ap/|access-date=June 16, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040626162916/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/10/27/smith_record_ap/|archive-date=June 26, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> Payton's career and personality would capture the hearts of Bear fans, who called him "Sweetness".<ref name="q483">{{cite web | last=Mayer | first=Larry | title=Sweetness left a legacy of love | website=Chicago Bears | date=2023-02-14 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/sweetness-left-a-legacy-of-love | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802195745/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/sweetness-left-a-legacy-of-love | url-status=live }}</ref> He died from a rare form of liver cancer in 1999 at the age of 45.<ref name="d335">{{cite news | title=All-Time Rushing Leader Payton Dies of Cancer | newspaper=Washington Post | date=1999-11-02 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/daily/nov99/02/payton2.htm?itid=lk_inline_manual_8 | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=November 22, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122010039/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/daily/nov99/02/payton2.htm?itid=lk_inline_manual_8 | url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 1, 1983, a day after the death of George Halas, his oldest daughter, Virginia McCaskey, took over as the majority owner of the team.<ref name="w943">{{cite web | last=Mayer | first=Larry | title=Mrs. McCaskey 'a source of daily inspiration' | website=Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey 'a daily source of inspiration' | date=2021-03-08 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/mrs-mccaskey-a-source-of-daily-inspiration | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802200220/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/mrs-mccaskey-a-source-of-daily-inspiration | url-status=live }}</ref> Her husband, [[Ed McCaskey]], succeeded her father as the chairman of the board.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ed McCaskey |work=Cook County Clerk |url=http://www.cookctyclerk.com/html/041503resdoc.htm |access-date=December 13, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901175938/http://www.cookctyclerk.com/html/041503resdoc.htm |archive-date=September 1, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Their son Michael became the third president in team history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mike McCaskey |work=ChicagoBears Official Website |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/history_80s.asp |access-date=December 13, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121040604/http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/history_80s.asp |archive-date=January 21, 2007 }}</ref> Virginia holds the honorary title of "secretary of the board of directors", but has been called the glue that holds the franchise together.<ref name="luvhsr">{{cite web|title=McCaskey|work=Cranes Chicago Business|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=9999100024665|access-date=July 12, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515230439/http://www.chicagobusiness.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=9999100024665|archive-date=May 15, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Virginia's reign as the owner of the Bears was not planned, as her father originally earmarked her brother, [[George Halas Jr.|George "Mugs" Halas Jr.]] as the heir apparent to the franchise. However, he died of a heart attack in 1979.<ref name="y409">{{cite web | title=GEORGE HALAS JR., 54, DIES IN CHICAGO President of Pro Football's Bears Was Son of Team's Founder | website=The New York Times | date=1979-12-17 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/17/archives/george-halas-jr-54-dies-in-chicago-president-of-pro-footballs-bears.html | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802200358/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/17/archives/george-halas-jr-54-dies-in-chicago-president-of-pro-footballs-bears.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Her impact on the team is well-noted as her own family has dubbed her "The First Lady of Sports", and the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' has listed her as one of Chicago's most powerful women.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chicago's Most Powerful Women|work=Chicago Sun-Times| url=http://www.suntimes.com/special_sections/powerful_women/sports_mccaskey.html|access-date=April 24, 2004|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20040511081119/http://www.suntimes.com/special_sections/powerful_women/sports_mccaskey.html|archive-date=May 11, 2004}}</ref>

===1983–1985: Contenders, then Super Bowl champions===
[[File:Mike Ditka.jpg|thumb|Bears Hall of Famer [[Mike Ditka]] is the only person in the modern era to win an NFL championship as a player and coach for the Chicago Bears.]]
[[Mike Ditka]], a [[tight end]] for the Bears from [[1961 Chicago Bears season|1961]] to [[1966 Chicago Bears season|1966]], was hired to coach the team by George Halas in [[1982 Chicago Bears season|1982]].<ref name="w706">{{cite web | last=Hawley | first=Larry | title=Throwback Thursday: 40 years since the Bears' hiring of Mike Ditka | website=WGN-TV | date=2022-01-21 | url=https://wgntv.com/news/wgn-news-now/throwback-thursday-40-years-since-the-bears-hiring-of-mike-ditka/ | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802195506/https://wgntv.com/news/wgn-news-now/throwback-thursday-40-years-since-the-bears-hiring-of-mike-ditka/ | url-status=live }}</ref> His gritty personality earned him the nickname "Iron Mike".<ref name="f122">{{cite web | title=The Legend of 'Iron Mike' | website=225 Years | url=https://www.225.pitt.edu/story/legend-%27iron-mike%27 | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802200409/https://www.225.pitt.edu/story/legend-%27iron-mike%27 | url-status=live }}</ref> The team reached the NFC Championship game, losing to the San Francisco 49ers 23–0, in 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers - January 6th, 1985 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198501060sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228222526/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198501060sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985 season]] the fire in the Bears–Packers rivalry was re-lit when Ditka used 315-pound defensive tackle [[William Perry (football)|"Refrigerator" Perry]] as a running back in a [[touchdown]] play at [[Lambeau Field]], against the Packers.<ref name="b869">{{cite web | last=Parolin | first=John | title=MNF moments, No. 34: The Fridge scores | website=ESPN.com | date=2014-08-05 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/133459/mnf-moments-no-34-the-fridge-scores | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802200637/https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/133459/mnf-moments-no-34-the-fridge-scores | url-status=live }}</ref> The Bears won their ninth NFL Championship, first since the [[AFL-NFL merger]], in Super Bowl XX after the 1985 season in which they dominated the NFL with their then-revolutionary [[46 defense]] and a cast of characters that recorded the novelty rap song "[[The Super Bowl Shuffle]]".<ref name="l415">{{cite web | title=BEARS TROUNCE PATRIOTS, 46-10, IN SUPER BOWL | website=The New York Times | date=1986-01-27 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/27/sports/bears-trounce-patriots-46-10-in-super-bowl.html | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=June 15, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615155606/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/27/sports/bears-trounce-patriots-46-10-in-super-bowl.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="p168">{{cite web | last=Dufresne | first=Chris | title=Bears Have the Muscle to Back Up Their Video : They Make Certain That 'Super Bowl Shuffle' Is No 'Dewey Beats Truman' | website=Los Angeles Times | date=1986-01-13 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-13-sp-27736-story.html | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802200513/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-13-sp-27736-story.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The season was notable in that the Bears had only one loss, the "unlucky 13th" game of the season, a [[Monday Night Football|Monday night]] affair in which they were defeated by the [[Miami Dolphins]].<ref name="g035">{{cite web | last=Sugrue | first=Brendan | title=Throwback Thursday: '85 Bears lose only game of the season vs. Dolphins | website=Bears Wire | publisher=USA Today | date=2021-12-02 | url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2021/12/02/bears-throwback-thursday-1985-loss-to-dolphins/ | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802200713/https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2021/12/02/bears-throwback-thursday-1985-loss-to-dolphins/ | url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, much was made of the fact that the {{nfly|1972}} [[1972 Miami Dolphins season|Dolphins]] were the only franchise in history to have had an [[perfect season|undefeated season and post-season]]. The Dolphins came close to setting up a rematch in the Super Bowl, but lost to the [[1985 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] in the [[AFC Championship Game|AFC title game]]. "The Super Bowl Shuffle" was videotaped the day after that Monday night loss in Miami.<ref name="j414">{{cite web | last=Medina | first=Luis C. | title=Throwback Thursday: 1985 Bears recorded 'The Super Bowl Shuffle' on this date 30 years ago | website=Bears Wire|publisher=USA Today | date=2015-12-03 | url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2015/12/03/throwback-thursday-1985-bears-recorded-the-super-bowl-shuffle-on-this-date-30-years-ago/ | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

===1986–2003: Post-Super Bowl era===
After the 1985 championship season, the Bears remained competitive throughout the 1980s but failed to return to the [[Super Bowl]] under Ditka. Throughout the remainder of his tenure, Ditka led the Bears to five more postseason berths, getting as far as the NFC Championship in the 1988 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears Playoff History |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/playoffs.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010020622/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/playoffs.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Between the firing of Ditka and the hiring of [[Lovie Smith]], the Bears had two head coaches, [[Dave Wannstedt]] and [[Dick Jauron]].<ref name="q839">{{cite web | last=Pierson | first=Don | title=Jan. 5, 1993: Mike Ditka loses his job with the Bears, but not his passion | website=Chicago Tribune | date=2018-01-05 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/01/05/jan-5-1993-mike-ditka-loses-his-job-with-the-bears-but-not-his-passion/ | access-date=2024-08-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dave Wannstedt Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/WannDa0.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=December 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210093644/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/WannDa0.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dick Jauron Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/JaurDi0.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=September 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904082935/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/JaurDi0.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> While both head coaches led the team to the playoffs once (Wannstedt in 1994 and Jauron in 2001), neither was able to accumulate a winning record or bring the Bears back to the Super Bowl. Therefore, the 1990s was largely considered to be a disappointment.<ref name="k296">{{cite web | last=Bernstein | first=Dan | title=100 Years of the Chicago Bears: The 1990s | website=Audacy.com | date=2019-11-27 | url=https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/blogs/dan-bernstein/100-years-of-the-chicago-bears-the-1990s | access-date=2024-07-30 | archive-date=July 30, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730221245/https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/blogs/dan-bernstein/100-years-of-the-chicago-bears-the-1990s | url-status=live }}</ref>

Before the Bears hired Jauron in January 1999, [[Dave McGinnis]] (Arizona's defensive coordinator, and a former Bears assistant under Ditka and Wannstedt) backed out of taking the head coaching position. The Bears scheduled a press conference to announce the hiring before McGinnis agreed to contract terms.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dave McGinnis|work=Bears History|url=http://www.bearshistory.com/seasons/1999chicagobears.aspx|access-date=December 13, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208221755/http://www.bearshistory.com/seasons/1999chicagobears.aspx|archive-date=December 8, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon after Jauron's hiring, Mrs. McCaskey fired her son Michael as president, replacing him with [[Ted Phillips]] and promoting Michael to [[chairman of the board]].<ref name="luvhsr"/> Phillips became the first man outside of the Halas-McCaskey family to run the team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ted Phillips |work=Chicago Bears.com |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/team/frontofficeBio.jsp?id=29 |access-date=July 12, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626100503/http://www.chicagobears.com/team/frontofficeBio.jsp?id=29 |archive-date=June 26, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> From 1997 to 2000, the Bears suffered four consecutive last place finishes within the division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1997 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1997.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514160309/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1997.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1998.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925204247/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1998.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1999.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925204247/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1999.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2000.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926112657/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2000.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 2001 season, Jim Miller took over as the primary starting quarterback and helped lead the Bears to a resurgent 13–3 record and division title.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2001 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2001.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625192240/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2001.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2001 team did not see any postseason success as they fell 33–19 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears - January 19th, 2002 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200201190chi.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516221716/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200201190chi.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2002 season saw a setback as the team went 4–12.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2002.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=April 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425205641/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2002.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The team improved to a 7–9 record in 2003 but still missed the postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2003.htm |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007102118/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2003.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Jauron was fired following the end of the 2003 season.<ref name="p261">{{cite web | title=Chicago Bears fire coach Jauron | website=UPI | date=2003-12-29 | url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/12/29/Chicago-Bears-fire-coach-Jauron/75921072733208/ | access-date=2024-08-02}}</ref>

===2004–2012: Lovie Smith era===
[[Lovie Smith]], hired on January 15, 2004, is the third post-Ditka head coach. Joining the Bears as a rookie head coach, Smith brought the highly successful [[Tampa 2]] defensive scheme with him to Chicago. Before his second season with the Bears, the team rehired their former offensive coordinator and then [[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign|Illinois]] head coach [[Ron Turner (football coach)|Ron Turner]] to improve the Bears' struggling offense.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Chicago Bears |work=Vividseats.com |url=http://www.vividseats.com/nfl/chicago-bears-tickets.html |access-date=October 16, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017151717/http://www.vividseats.com/nfl/chicago-bears-tickets.html |archive-date=October 17, 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> In {{nfly|2005}}, the Bears won their division and reached the [[2005–06 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] for the first time in four years. Their previous playoff berth was earned by winning the NFC Central in {{nfly|2001}}. The Bears improved upon their success the following season, by clinching their second consecutive NFC North title during Week 13 of the {{nfly|2006}} season, winning their first playoff game since 1995, and earning a trip to [[Super Bowl XLI]].<ref>{{cite web|title=GameCenter: Recap |work=Superbowl.com |url=http://www.superbowl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20070121_NO@CHI |access-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125134400/http://www.superbowl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20070121_NO%40CHI |archive-date=January 25, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, they fell short of the championship, losing 29–17 to the [[Indianapolis Colts]]. Following the 2006 season, the club decided to give Smith a contract extension through 2011, at roughly $5&nbsp;million per year. This comes a season after being the lowest-paid head coach in the National Football League.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clayton |first=John |author-link=John Clayton (sportswriter) |date=March 1, 2007 |title=Bears coach Smith, GM Angelo ink contract extensions |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2783609 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604015719/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2783609 |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |access-date=December 5, 2010 |website=[[ESPN.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

The club has played in over a thousand games since becoming a charter member of the NFL in {{nfly|1920}}. Through the 2010 season, they led the NFL in overall franchise wins with 704 and had an overall record of 704–512–42 (going 687–494–42 during the regular season and 17–18 in the playoffs).<ref>{{cite web|title=All-Time Chicago Bears Record|work=Pro Football Hall of Fame|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/team.jsp?franchise_id=6|access-date=June 15, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060623033757/http://profootballhof.com/history/team.jsp?franchise_id=6|archive-date=June 23, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 18, 2010, the Bears recorded franchise win number 700 in a win against the [[Miami Dolphins]].<ref name="v450">{{cite web | title=Dolphins Shutout a Signature Win for the Bears | website=NBC Chicago | date=2010-11-19 | url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nfl/chicago-bears/dolphins-shutout-a-signature-win-for-the-bears/2099178/ | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802202204/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nfl/chicago-bears/dolphins-shutout-a-signature-win-for-the-bears/2099178/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Cutler Quinnan8 (cropped).jpg|thumb|130px|The Bears made one of the biggest trades in team history by acquiring Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler in 2009.]]
The Bears made one of the biggest trades in franchise history, acquiring [[Pro Bowl]] quarterback [[Jay Cutler]] from the [[Denver Broncos]] in exchange for [[Kyle Orton]] and draft picks on April 2, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Clayton |first1=John |last2=Werder |first2=Ed |date=2009-04-02 |title=Broncos send Cutler to Bears for Orton, 3 picks |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4037373 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=September 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911041035/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4037373 |url-status=live }}</ref> After a disappointing 2009 campaign with the team going 7–9,<ref>{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Mulligan |title=Bears get Cutler for two first-round picks, Orton |date=April 3, 2009 |url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1508720,bears-cutler-040209.article? |work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=April 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404012412/http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1508720%2Cbears-cutler-040209.article |archive-date=April 4, 2009 }}</ref> [[Mike Martz]] was hired as the team's offensive coordinator on February 1, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biggs |first=Brad |date=February 1, 2010 |title=Mike Martz hired as Bears' offensive coordinator |url=http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/02/mike-martz-hired-as-bears-offensive-coordinator.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204093359/http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/02/mike-martz-hired-as-bears-offensive-coordinator.html |archive-date=February 4, 2010 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |website=Chicago Breaking Sports}}</ref> On March 5, 2010, the Bears signed defensive end [[Julius Peppers]], running back [[Chester Taylor]], and tight end [[Brandon Manumaleuna]], spending over $100&nbsp;million on the first day of free agency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/way-things-should-be/2010/03/bears-blow-minds-spend-100-million-in-one-day.html |title=Chicago Bears spend $100 on Free Agents – The Way Things Should Be |publisher=Chicagonow.com |date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=December 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712080817/http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/way-things-should-be/2010/03/bears-blow-minds-spend-100-million-in-one-day.html |archive-date=July 12, 2010 }}</ref> Also during the 2010 offseason, Michael McCaskey was replaced by brother [[George McCaskey]] as chairman of the Bears.<ref name="chicagobears1">{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=May 5, 2011 |title=George McCaskey becomes chairman |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=7833 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820052529/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=7833 |archive-date=August 20, 2011 |access-date=July 14, 2012 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> With a 38–34 win against the [[New York Jets]], the Bears clinched the No. 2 seed and a first-round [[Bye (sports)|bye]] for the [[2010–11 NFL playoffs]]. In their first Playoff game since Super Bowl XLI, The Bears defeated the No. 4 seed [[2010 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] 35–24 in the Divisional Round. The Bears reached the NFC Championship Game, where they played [[Green Bay Packers]] at [[Soldier Field]] – only the second playoff meeting between the two storied rivals, the only other game played in 1941.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 16, 2011 |title=Bears defeat Seahawks to set up NFC Title showdown |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=7496 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119041006/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=7496 |archive-date=January 19, 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2011 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> The Bears lost the game, 21–14.<ref name="x286">{{cite web | title=Packers beat Bears 21-14 to win NFC title | website=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=2011-01-23 | url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2011/01/23/packers-beat-bears-21-14-to-win-nfc-title/ | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802202342/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2011/01/23/packers-beat-bears-21-14-to-win-nfc-title/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

The team started the 2011 season strong with a 7–3 record,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears 2011 Games and Schedule |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2011/gamelog/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802202415/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2011/gamelog/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and running back [[Matt Forté]] led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage. Eventually, quarterback Jay Cutler fractured his thumb, and Forté also was lost for the season against the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] after spraining his MCL, and the Bears, with [[Caleb Hanie]] playing, lost five straight before winning against the [[Minnesota Vikings]] with [[Josh McCown]] starting over Hanie. At season's end, general manager [[Jerry Angelo]] was fired, and former Chiefs director of scouting and former Bears scout [[Phil Emery (American football)|Phil Emery]] was brought in.<ref name="a481">{{cite web | title=Angelo fired as Bears' GM after team crumbles | website=NFL.com | date=2012-01-03 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/angelo-fired-as-bears-gm-after-team-crumbles-09000d5d825ada26 | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802202438/https://www.nfl.com/news/angelo-fired-as-bears-gm-after-team-crumbles-09000d5d825ada26 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="e395">{{cite web | last=Medina | first=Luis C. | title=Throwback Thursday: The Bears hired GM Phil Emery on this date in 2012 | website=Bears Wire | publisher=USA Today | date=2016-01-28 | url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2016/01/28/throwback-thursday-the-bears-hired-gm-phil-emery-on-this-date-in-2012/ | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802202509/https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2016/01/28/throwback-thursday-the-bears-hired-gm-phil-emery-on-this-date-in-2012/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Offensive coordinator Mike Martz resigned, and eventually retired, and was replaced by offensive line coach [[Mike Tice]].<ref name="g778">{{cite web | title=Bears' Mike Martz Resigns | website=NBC Chicago | date=2012-01-03 | url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/mike-martz-resigns/1926520/ | access-date=2024-08-02 | archive-date=August 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802202535/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/mike-martz-resigns/1926520/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="i018">{{cite web | last=Trowbridge | first=Matt | title=Bears promote Mike Tice to offensive coordinator | website=Rockford Register Star | date=2012-01-06 | url=https://www.rrstar.com/story/sports/2012/01/06/bears-promote-mike-tice-to/42119135007/#:~:text=Now%20he%20gets%20a%20chance,his%20old%20friend%20Mike%20Martz. | access-date=2024-08-02}}</ref> The Bears made another notable move by trading for Miami Dolphins receiver and Pro Bowl MVP [[Brandon Marshall]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=March 13, 2012 |title=Bears land Marshall in trade with Miami |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=8680 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407205620/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=8680 |archive-date=April 7, 2012 |access-date=May 11, 2012 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> The Bears became the first team in NFL history to return six interceptions for touchdowns in the first seven games of the season, with another pick-six by [[Brian Urlacher]] in Week 9 bringing Chicago two behind the record set by the [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|1961 San Diego Chargers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/2012/10/29/bears-chase-nfl-record-interceptions-for-touchdown/|title=Bears picking on history|work=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]|date=October 29, 2012|access-date=December 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114055643/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/2012/10/29/bears-chase-nfl-record-interceptions-for-touchdown/|archive-date=November 14, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the Bears missed the playoffs with a record of 10–6 (after starting the season 7–1, the first team to start with the record and miss the playoffs since the [[1996 Washington Redskins season|1996 Washington Redskins]]),<ref>{{cite news|last=Trister |first=Noah |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/football/2012/12/30/bears-beat-lions-stay-playoff-race/cHK5d0A5v5jGN0sPwdYltM/story.html |title=Bears miss playoffs despite 26–24 win over Lions |publisher=[[Boston.com]] |date=December 30, 2012 |access-date=December 30, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002101357/http://www.boston.com/sports/football/2012/12/30/bears-beat-lions-stay-playoff-race/cHK5d0A5v5jGN0sPwdYltM/story.html |archive-date=October 2, 2013 }}</ref> and Smith was fired on December 31.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosenthal|first=Gregg|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/lovie-smith-fired-as-chicago-bears-coach-0ap1000000119943|title=Lovie Smith fired as Chicago Bears coach|publisher=[[National Football League]]|date=December 31, 2012|access-date=December 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102144633/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000119943/article/lovie-smith-fired-by-chicago-bears|archive-date=January 2, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2013–2014: Marc Trestman years===
Then-[[Canadian Football League|CFL]] head coach and former NFL journeyman [[Marc Trestman]] was hired to succeed Smith after an exhaustive search that included at least 13 known candidates.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Biggs |first1=Brad |last2=Pompei |first2=Dan |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-bears-hire-marc-trestman-20130115,0,7826477.story |title=Marc Trestman chosen to be Bears' new coach |work=Chicago Tribune |date=January 16, 2013 |access-date=January 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116093830/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-bears-hire-marc-trestman-20130115%2C0%2C7826477.story |archive-date=January 16, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Isaacson|first=Melissa|url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/8835945/phil-emery-wait-too-long-find-chicago-bears-coach|title=Emery can't wait too long|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=January 11, 2013|access-date=January 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114222110/http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/8835945/phil-emery-wait-too-long-find-chicago-bears-coach|archive-date=January 14, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 20, 2013, Brian Urlacher's 13-year tenure with the Bears ended when both sides failed to agree on a contract.<ref>{{cite web|last=McIntyre|first=Brian|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/chicago-bears-announce-brian-urlacher-not-back-2013-224525683--nfl.html|title=Chicago Bears announce that Brian Urlacher will not be back in 2013|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|date=March 20, 2013|access-date=March 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323044743/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/chicago-bears-announce-brian-urlacher-not-back-2013-224525683--nfl.html|archive-date=March 23, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The Trestman era began on September 8 with a 24–21 win over the [[Cincinnati Bengals]], making Trestman the fourth head coach in Bears history to win in his coaching debut, after George Halas (1920), Neill Armstrong (1978) and Dick Jauron (1999).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2013/09/08/5403/index.html|title=Cutler, Marshall lead Bears over Bengals 24–21|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 8, 2013|access-date=September 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912195347/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2013/09/08/5403/index.html|archive-date=September 12, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Bears ended the 2013 season 8–8, barely missing the playoffs after losing in the final week of the season to the Packers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Lindsay H.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/12/29/nfl-week-17-packers-bears-aaron-rodgers-jay-cutler/4243675/|title=Aaron Rodgers leads Packers past Bears, into playoffs|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=December 29, 2013|access-date=August 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018141934/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/12/29/nfl-week-17-packers-bears-aaron-rodgers-jay-cutler/4243675/|archive-date=October 18, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite having a second-ranked offense that set numerous franchise records,<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Long-named-to-PFF-All-Rookie-Team/f1d360be-db5b-4d85-b8b8-ded4a3ac6af0|title=Long named to PFF All-Rookie Team|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=January 8, 2014|access-date=January 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109014955/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Long-named-to-PFF-All-Rookie-Team/f1d360be-db5b-4d85-b8b8-ded4a3ac6af0|archive-date=January 9, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> the defense greatly worsened as it set franchise worsts in categories like yards allowed (6,313).<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Improving-defense-a-top-priority/48521138-22fd-4526-a404-1960071e0fa6|title=Improving defense a top priority|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=January 4, 2014|access-date=January 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106042350/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Improving-defense-a-top-priority/48521138-22fd-4526-a404-1960071e0fa6|archive-date=January 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The following season was a disaster for the Bears, with the offense regressing to finish outside the top 20 in scoring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/index.htm#all_team_scoring|title=2014 NFL Standings & Team Stats – Scoring Offense|work=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]|access-date=August 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821093910/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/index.htm#all_team_scoring|archive-date=August 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The team also allowed 50-point games in two straight weeks against the Patriots and Packers, including a franchise-high 42 points and NFL-record six touchdowns allowed in the first half against the latter,<ref>{{cite news|last=Armas|first=Genaro C.|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/10/aaron-rodgers-packers-bears-record-half_n_6130674.html|title=Aaron Rodgers Throws 6 TD Passes In 1st Half As Packers Crush Bears 55-14|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=November 10, 2014|access-date=November 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112143148/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/10/aaron-rodgers-packers-bears-record-half_n_6130674.html|archive-date=November 12, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Breech|first=Josh|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24793799/bears-line-up-to-punt-packers-kick-ball-instead|title=Bears line up to punt, Packers kick ball instead|publisher=[[CBSSports.com]]|date=November 9, 2014|access-date=November 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110072941/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24793799/bears-line-up-to-punt-packers-kick-ball-instead|archive-date=November 10, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> to become the first team since the [[1923 Rochester Jeffersons season|1923 Rochester Jeffersons]] to allow at least 50 points in consecutive games.<ref>{{cite web|last=Neveau|first=James|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Packers-Bears-Sunday-Night-Lambeau-Field-Cutler-Rodgers-282090151.html|title=Packers Bludgeon Bears 55-14 in Embarrassing Rout|publisher=[[WMAQ-TV]]|date=November 10, 2014|access-date=November 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111054025/http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Packers-Bears-Sunday-Night-Lambeau-Field-Cutler-Rodgers-282090151.html|archive-date=November 11, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bears ended the year 5–11 and last in the NFC North.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2013.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127092953/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2013.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Trestman and Emery were fired after the season ended.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosenthal|first=Gregg|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chicago-bears-fire-marc-trestman-0ap3000000451258|title=Chicago Bears fire Marc Trestman|publisher=[[National Football League]]|date=December 29, 2014|access-date=December 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229171803/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000451258/article/chicago-bears-fire-marc-trestman|archive-date=December 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2015–2017: John Fox years===
The Bears hired [[Ryan Pace]] of the [[New Orleans Saints]] to be their new general manager on January 8, 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Biggs|first1=Brad|last2=Campbell|first2=Rich|last3=Wiederer|first3=Dan|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-bears-hire-ryan-pace-gm-story.html|title=Bears hire Ryan Pace as general manager|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=January 8, 2015|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109005708/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-bears-hire-ryan-pace-gm-story.html|archive-date=January 9, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 16, 2015, [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]] accepted a four-year deal to become head coach.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|title=Bears hire John Fox as head coach|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-hire-John-Fox-as-head-coach/9373af55-a45c-464e-990b-c7ca46950985|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=January 16, 2015|access-date=April 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119001040/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-hire-John-Fox-as-head-coach/9373af55-a45c-464e-990b-c7ca46950985|archive-date=January 19, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In Fox's first season as head coach, the Bears saw improvements from 2014; after ''[[USA Today]]'' projected the Bears to win three games,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Nate|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/08/04/record-projections-super-bowl-50-packers-colts/30985171/|title=Who reaches Super Bowl 50? 2015 NFL record projections for all 32 teams|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=August 4, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806163200/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/08/04/record-projections-super-bowl-50-packers-colts/30985171/|archive-date=August 6, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> they doubled that total and finished the season with a 6–10 record, including a [[NFL on Thanksgiving Day|Thanksgiving]] win over the Packers at Lambeau Field.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-gamerecap/Late-defensive-stand-preserves-big-win/f24c32a1-2662-4358-b769-5f6ccf57dfef|title=Late defensive stand preserves big win|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=November 26, 2015|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205034302/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-gamerecap/Late-defensive-stand-preserves-big-win/f24c32a1-2662-4358-b769-5f6ccf57dfef|archive-date=December 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

However, during the 2016 season, the Bears regressed heavily, compiling a 3–13 record (their worst since the NFL's change to 16-game seasons in 1978). The season included several injuries to starters and secondary players, including Jay Cutler, who only played five games as a result of two separate injuries.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eurich|first=Matt|url=http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/bears-to-look-into-why-team-suffered-so-many-injuries-in-2016/|title=Bears to look into why team suffered so many injuries in 2016|publisher=[[CBSSports.com]]|date=January 5, 2017|access-date=January 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110160654/http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/bears-to-look-into-why-team-suffered-so-many-injuries-in-2016/|archive-date=January 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Backup quarterback [[Brian Hoyer]] started the next three games before a broken arm put him out for the season. He was replaced by [[Matt Barkley]], who made his first career start with the Bears.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-gamerecap/Depleted-Bears-burned-by-Rodgers/e1570d4d-c6fe-4ed4-8f47-a15748eed1c9|title=Depleted Bears burned by Rodgers|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=October 20, 2016|access-date=October 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023153755/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-gamerecap/Depleted-Bears-burned-by-Rodgers/e1570d4d-c6fe-4ed4-8f47-a15748eed1c9|archive-date=October 23, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Emma|first=Chris|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/11/27/bears-qb-jay-cutler-inactive-matt-barkley-starts-against-the-titans/|title=Bears QB Jay Cutler Inactive; Matt Barkley Starts Against The Titans|publisher=[[WBBM-TV]]|date=November 27, 2016|access-date=November 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128133241/http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/11/27/bears-qb-jay-cutler-inactive-matt-barkley-starts-against-the-titans/|archive-date=November 28, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> None of the three quarterbacks returned for the 2017 season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Patra|first=Kevin|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chicago-bears-release-quarterback-jay-cutler-0ap3000000791875|title=Chicago Bears release quarterback Jay Cutler|publisher=[[National Football League]]|date=March 9, 2017|access-date=March 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310014733/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000791875/article/chicago-bears-release-quarterback-jay-cutler|archive-date=March 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Agree-to-Terms-with-Seven-Free-Agents/27ef0da5-47b8-4a0f-96d5-d6c61d929fb6?sf61333157=1|title=49ers Agree to Terms with Seven Free Agents|work=[[San Francisco 49ers]]|date=March 9, 2017|access-date=March 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312010052/http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Agree-to-Terms-with-Seven-Free-Agents/27ef0da5-47b8-4a0f-96d5-d6c61d929fb6?sf61333157=1|archive-date=March 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Malocco|first=Matt|url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/source-49ers-reach-two-year-contract-agreement-qb-matt-barkley|title=SOURCE: 49ERS REACH TWO-YEAR CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH QB MATT BARKLEY|publisher=[[Comcast SportsNet Bay Area]]|date=March 9, 2017|access-date=March 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310080409/http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/source-49ers-reach-two-year-contract-agreement-qb-matt-barkley|archive-date=March 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[2017 NFL draft]], the team selected quarterback [[Mitchell Trubisky]] with the second-overall pick,<ref>{{cite web|last=Alper|first=Josh|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/04/27/bears-trade-up-to-no-2-take/|title=Bears trade up to No. 2, take Mitchell Trubisky|publisher=[[Profootballtalk.com]]|date=April 27, 2017|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428005326/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/04/27/bears-trade-up-to-no-2-take/|archive-date=April 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> who sat behind newly signed quarterback [[Mike Glennon]] for the first four games before taking over.<ref>{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Rich|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-mitch-trubisky-promoted-mike-glennon-bears-20171002-story.html|title=Bears FAQ: Mitch Trubisky promoted and Mike Glennon benched|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=October 2, 2017|access-date=October 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011071731/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-mitch-trubisky-promoted-mike-glennon-bears-20171002-story.html|archive-date=October 11, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bears ended the season 5–11 and again finished last in the NFC North.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2017.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202190033/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2017.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 1, 2018, Fox was fired, ending his tenure in Chicago with a 14–34 record.<ref>{{cite web|last=Patra|first=Kevin|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chicago-bears-fire-coach-john-fox-after-5-11-season-0ap3000000901544|title=Chicago Bears fire coach John Fox after 5-11 season|publisher=[[National Football League]]|date=January 1, 2018|access-date=January 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101174300/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000901544/article/chicago-bears-fire-coach-john-fox-after-511-season|archive-date=January 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2018–2021: Matt Nagy years===
[[File:Bears Defense 2018.jpg|thumb|[[Roquan Smith]], [[Khalil Mack]], [[DeAndre Houston-Carson]], and [[Akiem Hicks]] of the Bears in 2018]]
The Bears hired [[Matt Nagy]] from the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] as their new head coach in January 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last=Biggs|first=Brad|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-matt-nagy-coach-20180108-story.html|title=Bears hire Matt Nagy as franchise's 16th head coach|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=January 8, 2018|access-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108231857/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-matt-nagy-coach-20180108-story.html|archive-date=January 8, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> General manager [[Ryan Pace]] signed receivers [[Taylor Gabriel]], [[Allen Robinson]], and [[Trey Burton]] in the offseason to complement second-year quarterback [[Mitchell Trubisky]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Finley |first=Patrick |date=March 13, 2018 |title=Bears free agency: WR Taylor Gabriel plans to join Allen Robinson, Trey Burton |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/bears-free-agency-wr-taylor-gabriel-plans-to-join-allen-robinson-trey-burton/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231093233/https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/bears-free-agency-wr-taylor-gabriel-plans-to-join-allen-robinson-trey-burton/ |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |access-date=December 31, 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> The Bears also acquired linebacker [[Khalil Mack]] in a block-blockbuster trade from the [[Oakland Raiders]] to further bolster their defense, sending a package of draft picks that includes 2019 and 2020 1st round draft picks in exchange.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2018 |title=Jon Gruden sounds off on Oakland Raiders' trade of Khalil Mack to Chicago Bears |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/raiders/2018/09/02/khalil-mack-trade-jon-gruden-explains-why-raiders-dealt-bears/1183491002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904193610/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/raiders/2018/09/02/khalil-mack-trade-jon-gruden-explains-why-raiders-dealt-bears/1183491002/ |archive-date=September 4, 2018 |access-date=September 5, 2018 |website=[[USA Today]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> Nagy's Bears clinched the NFC North on December 16, 2018, for the first time since 2010 with a 24–17 victory over the [[Green Bay Packers]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dickerson |first=Jeff |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25550177/chicago-bears-clinch-first-nfc-north-title-2010 |title=Bears stop Packers to clinch first NFC North crown since 2010 |work=ESPN |date=December 16, 2018 |access-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231092629/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25550177/chicago-bears-clinch-first-nfc-north-title-2010 |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Bears finished the 2018 season with a 12–4 record.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hawley |first=Larry |url=https://wgntv.com/2018/12/30/bears-beat-the-vikings-to-finish-the-2018-season-12-4/ |title=Bears beat Vikings 24-10, will host Eagles in wild-card playoff match |work=WGN |date=December 30, 2018 |access-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231035850/https://wgntv.com/2018/12/30/bears-beat-the-vikings-to-finish-the-2018-season-12-4/ |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> They lost to the [[Super Bowl LII|defending Super Bowl Champions]] [[Philadelphia Eagles]] in the wild-card round of the playoffs after [[Cody Parkey]]'s game-winning field goal attempt was partially tipped and hit the uprights in the final seconds of the game, a play coined the "[[Double Doink]]".<ref>{{cite news |last=Patra |first=Kevin |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/cody-parkey-s-missed-field-goal-officially-ruled-block-0ap3000001008740 |title=Cody Parkey's missed field goal officially ruled block |work=NFL.com |date=January 7, 2019 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117153451/https://www.nfl.com/news/cody-parkey-s-missed-field-goal-officially-ruled-block-0ap3000001008740 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-bears-philadelphia-eagles-live-blog-trey-burton-eddie-jackson-503973241.html|title=Bears Lose to Eagles on Heartbreaking Final Play|last=Neveau|first=James|website=NBC Chicago|date=January 6, 2019 |language=en|access-date=January 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109012039/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-bears-philadelphia-eagles-live-blog-trey-burton-eddie-jackson-503973241.html|archive-date=January 9, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the first-round exit, Nagy was named [[List of NFL Coach of the Year awards|Coach of the Year]] by the [[Pro Football Writers Association]] (PFWA) and [[Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award|Associated Press]] (AP).<ref>{{cite news|last=Biggs|first=Brad|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-matt-nagy-nfl-coach-of-the-year-20190202-story.html|title=Matt Nagy caps his 1st Bears season with the NFL Coach of the Year award|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=February 2, 2019|access-date=February 2, 2019|archive-date=February 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203044815/https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-matt-nagy-nfl-coach-of-the-year-20190202-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ellis|first=Cam|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/matt-nagy-named-head-coach-year-pro-football-writers-america|title=Matt Nagy named Head Coach of the Year by Pro Football Writers of America|publisher=[[NBC Sports Chicago]]|date=January 17, 2019|access-date=January 17, 2019|archive-date=January 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121447/https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/matt-nagy-named-head-coach-year-pro-football-writers-america|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the first Bears coach to be given the AP award since Lovie Smith in 2005 and the fifth in team history.<ref>{{cite news|last=Perez|first=Bryan|url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2019/02/03/matt-nagy-joins-legendary-bears-coaches-to-win-nfl-coach-of-the-year/|title=Matt Nagy joins legendary Bears coaches to win NFL Coach of the Year|publisher=Bears Wire|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=February 3, 2019|access-date=February 11, 2019|archive-date=February 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212070531/https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2019/02/03/matt-nagy-joins-legendary-bears-coaches-to-win-nfl-coach-of-the-year/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, the team regressed to an 8–8 record, though Nagy's combined 20 wins in 2018 and 2019 were the most by a Bears head coach in his first two seasons.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/quick-hits-pineiro-finishes-with-a-flourish-robinson-continues-to-shine|title=Quick Hits: Pineiro finishes with a flourish, Robinson continues to shine|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=December 29, 2019|access-date=December 30, 2019|archive-date=December 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230190622/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/quick-hits-pineiro-finishes-with-a-flourish-robinson-continues-to-shine|url-status=live}}</ref> During the year, renovations to Halas Hall were completed, allowing the team to move Training Camp from [[Ward Field (Bourbonnais)|Ward Field]] on the campus of [[Olivet Nazarene University]] in [[Bourbonnais, Illinois]] to Lake Forest for 2020.<ref name="training camps">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/training-camps.htm|title=Chicago Bears Training Camp Locations - Pro-Football-Reference.com|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|access-date=March 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110200045/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/training-camps.htm|archive-date=November 10, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MayerJan2020">{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-moving-training-camp-back-to-halas-hall|title=Bears moving training camp back to Halas Hall|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=January 14, 2020|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114213944/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-moving-training-camp-back-to-halas-hall|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Bears opened the [[2020 Chicago Bears season|2020 season]] with a 5–1 record. However, they lost their next six games. The Bears won three of their last four games to finish the season with an 8–8 record. Despite their finish, the Bears qualified for the [[2020–21 NFL playoffs]], which was expanded to include one additional wildcard team from each conference.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/chicago-football/packers-vs-bears-live-blog-playoff-clinching-scenarios-johnson-skrine-out-for-chicago/2406769/ |title=Packers Beat Bears at Soldier Field, but Chicago Headed to Playoffs Thanks to Rams Win |work=NBC Chicago |date=January 4, 2021 |access-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104011304/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/chicago-football/packers-vs-bears-live-blog-playoff-clinching-scenarios-johnson-skrine-out-for-chicago/2406769/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[New Orleans Saints]] defeated the Bears in the opening round of the playoffs, 21–9.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Bears vs. Saints - Team Statistics - January 10, 2021 - ESPN |url = https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore/_/gameId/401220395 |access-date = January 13, 2021 |website = ESPN.com |archive-date = January 13, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210113142752/https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore/_/gameId/401220395 |url-status = live }}</ref> The team did not re-sign Trubisky after the 2020 season and instead allowed him to become a free agent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glab |first=Maddy |date=March 18, 2021 |title=Bills agree to terms with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-agree-to-terms-with-quarterback-mitchell-trubisky |access-date=November 15, 2022 |website=www.buffalobills.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Prior to the [[2021 Chicago Bears season|2021 season]], the Bears traded up in the [[2021 NFL draft]] to select quarterback [[Justin Fields]] 11th overall.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Middlehurst-Schwartz |first=Michael |date=April 29, 2021 |title=Chicago Bears trade up, take QB Justin Fields with No. 11 pick in NFL draft |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2021/04/29/chicago-bears-take-justin-fields-quarterback-nfl-draft/7405463002/ |access-date=April 29, 2021 |website=USA Today |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430025310/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2021/04/29/chicago-bears-take-justin-fields-quarterback-nfl-draft/7405463002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The team also signed veteran quarterback [[Andy Dalton]] in free agency.<ref name="q118">{{cite web | last=Mayer | first=Larry | title=Roster Move: Bears agree to terms with Dalton | website=Chicago Bears | date=2021-03-17 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-move-bears-agree-to-terms-with-dalton | access-date=2024-07-30 | archive-date=November 24, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124112048/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-move-bears-agree-to-terms-with-dalton | url-status=live }}</ref> Dalton was initially declared the Bears starting quarterback, but Fields won the position after Dalton was injured.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=September 22, 2021 |title=Bears QB Justin Fields to start vs. Browns with Andy Dalton (knee) injured |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-qb-justin-fields-to-start-vs-browns-with-andy-dalton-knee-injured |access-date=September 22, 2021 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922173615/https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-qb-justin-fields-to-start-vs-browns-with-andy-dalton-knee-injured |url-status=live }}</ref> The Bears finished the season with a 6–11 record and missed the playoffs.<ref name="firenagy">{{cite news |last=Mayer |first=Larry |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/ryan-pace-matt-nagy-relieved-of-duties-with-bears |title=Pace, Nagy relieved of duties with the Bears |work=Chicago Bears |date=January 10, 2022 |access-date=January 10, 2022 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408055115/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/ryan-pace-matt-nagy-relieved-of-duties-with-bears |url-status=live }}</ref> Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace were fired after the season's conclusion.<ref name="firenagy"/> Nagy posted a 34–33 record over four seasons with two playoff berths, while Pace compiled a 48–65 record over seven seasons.<ref name="firenagy"/>
<!-- Note: This is just a summary, please do not add too much detail, especially for the 2005 season and beyond; the article "History of the Chicago Bears" or the season articles are probably best for detailed additions -->

===2022–2024: Matt Eberflus years===
On January 25, 2022, the Bears hired [[Ryan Poles]] as their general manager.<ref name="Mayer" /> The team hired [[Matt Eberflus]] as the franchise's 17th head coach two days later.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Larry|last=Mayer|title=Bears hire Matt Eberflus as head coach|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-hire-colts-defensive-coordinator-matt-eberflus-as-head-coach|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=January 27, 2022|access-date=January 27, 2022|language=en-US|archive-date=January 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128005350/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-hire-colts-defensive-coordinator-matt-eberflus-as-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bears struggled throughout the [[2022 Chicago Bears season|2022 season]], which included a franchise-record 10-game losing streak.<ref name="2022recap">{{cite news |last=Lieser |first=Jason |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023/1/8/23545208/what-pick-do-bears-have-in-2023-nfl-draft-will-anderson-bryce-young-cj-stroud-jalen-carter-poles |title=Bears get No. 1 pick in draft after loss to Vikings, Texans' stunner vs. Colts |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=January 8, 2023 |access-date=January 8, 2023 }}</ref> They finished with an NFL worst 3–14 record, which secured the team the first overall pick in the [[2023 NFL draft]].<ref name="2022recap"/> The Bears traded the first overall pick to the [[Carolina Panthers]] in exchange for wide receiver [[D. J. Moore]] and multiple draft picks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/dj-moore-on-joining-bears-justin-fields-it-going-to-be-real-special-trade|title=DJ Moore on joining Bears: 'It's going to be real special'|work=ChicagoBears.com|first=Larry|last=Mayer|date=March 15, 2023|access-date=April 14, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327000806/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/dj-moore-on-joining-bears-justin-fields-it-going-to-be-real-special-trade|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bears opened the [[2023 Chicago Bears season|2023 season]] with a 0–4 record, extending the team [[losing streak]] to 14 (longest in team history; dating back to the 2022 season).<ref name="r698">{{cite web | last=Gordon | first=Grant | title=Justin Fields, Bears snap 14-game losing streak: 'I'm proud of everybody in the building' | website=NFL.com | date=2023-10-06 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/justin-fields-bears-snap-14-game-losing-streak-i-m-proud-of-everybody-in-the-bui | access-date=2024-07-30 | archive-date=January 8, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108163855/https://www.nfl.com/news/justin-fields-bears-snap-14-game-losing-streak-i-m-proud-of-everybody-in-the-bui | url-status=live }}</ref> The team bounced back by winning five of their last eight games, but finished with a 7–10 record, placing last in the NFC North for the second consecutive season. However, the team acquired the first overall pick in the [[2024 NFL draft]], which was part of their previous trade with the Panthers, who finished the 2023 season with worst record in the NFL.<ref name="Kane-2024">{{cite news |last=Kane |first=Colleen |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-green-bay-packers-week-18-20240107-ejyswgscr5aidnzabd3acfpmte-story.html |title=Week 18 recap: Chicago Bears lose their season finale 17-9 to the Green Bay Packers, who clinch the final NFC playoff spot |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=January 7, 2024 |accessdate=January 7, 2024 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107122500/https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-green-bay-packers-week-18-20240107-ejyswgscr5aidnzabd3acfpmte-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The first overall pick was used on [[University of Southern California|USC]] quarterback [[Caleb Williams]].<ref name="m938">{{cite web | last=Mayer | first=Larry | title=Bears draft QB Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick | website=Chicago Bears | date=2024-04-26 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/caleb-williams-bears-quarterback-number-1-pick-2024-nfl-draft-usc | access-date=2024-07-30 | archive-date=May 21, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521202703/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/caleb-williams-bears-quarterback-number-1-pick-2024-nfl-draft-usc | url-status=live }}</ref> The Bears fired Eberflus on November 29, with five games remaining in the [[2024 NFL season]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-relieve-eberflus-of-duties-elevate-brown-interim-head-coach |title=Bears relieve Eberflus of duties, elevate Brown |work=chicagobears.com |date=November 29, 2024 |access-date=November 29, 2024 }}</ref> Eberflus, who a posted a 14–32 overall record with the Bears, was the first head coach in team history to be fired before the end of the season.<ref name="Wiederer-2024">{{cite news |last=Wiederer |first=Dan |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/29/chicago-bears-fire-matt-eberflus/ |title=Chicago Bears fire Matt Eberflus — the team's first-ever head coaching dismissal during a season |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=November 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129190603/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/29/chicago-bears-fire-matt-eberflus/ |archive-date=November 29, 2024 |access-date=November 29, 2024 }}</ref>

===2025–present: Ben Johnson years===
On January 21, 2025, the Bears hired [[Ben Johnson (American football coach)|Ben Johnson]] as the franchise's 18th head coach.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-hire-ben-johnson-as-head-coach-2025 |title=Bears hire Ben Johnson as head coach |work=Chicago Bears |date=January 21, 2025 }}</ref>
<!-- Note: This is just a summary, please do not add too much detail. the article "History of the Chicago Bears" or the season articles are probably best for detailed additions -->

==Ownership==
The team is primarily owned by the heirs of George Halas. Before her passing, his daughter, [[Virginia Halas McCaskey]] (held 22.6% of the team shares), was the principal owner and voted on behalf of her 11 children and two nephews (who each own 3.8%) as well as the [[Ralph Brizzolara|Brizzolara family]] (who own 8.33%), which amounts to an 80.33% ownership stake, allowing her to control the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wertheim |first=Jon |title=The Family Ownership Dramas That Roil the NFL |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/07/16/nfl-succession-family-ownership-bowlen-benson-adams-mccaskey |access-date=August 26, 2018 |website=SI.com |date=July 17, 2018 |publisher=Time, Inc. |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827005347/https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/07/16/nfl-succession-family-ownership-bowlen-benson-adams-mccaskey |url-status=live }}</ref> Former chairman and CEO of [[Aon Corporation|Aon Corp.]] [[Pat Ryan (executive)|Pat Ryan]] (17.67%)<ref name="Ryan">{{Cite web|title=Family Matters|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/12/27/family-matters-6/|website=Chicago Tribune|date=December 27, 1998|access-date=March 11, 2024|archive-date=March 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311203244/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/12/27/family-matters-6/|url-status=live}}</ref> and former Aon director [[Andrew J. McKenna]]'s estate (2%) own the remainder 19.67% of the club.<ref name="luvhsr"/> Ryan is also a board member.<ref name="front office">{{cite web|title=Front Office|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/team/front-office/|website=ChicagoBears.com|access-date=September 16, 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827095354/https://www.chicagobears.com/team/front-office/ |archive-date=August 27, 2018}}</ref> The McCaskey family has right of first refusal on stock sale, while Ryan's block has second refusal rights.<ref name="Ryan"/>

In 2020, ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine reported that the franchise is worth $3.525&nbsp;billion, making it the seventh richest franchise in the NFL.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ozanian |first1=Mike |last2=Badenhausen |first2=Kurt |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2020/09/10/the-nfls-most-valuable-teams-2020-how-much-is-your-favorite-team-worth/?sh=6c5447422ba4 |title=The NFL's Most Valuable Teams 2020: How Much Is Your Favorite Team Worth? |work=Forbes |date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503215425/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2020/09/10/the-nfls-most-valuable-teams-2020-how-much-is-your-favorite-team-worth/?sh=6c5447422ba4 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chicago is the third largest media market in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ariens |first=Chris |url=http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/in-2016-dma-rankings-d-c-moves-up-one-spot-tampa-up-two/154885 |title=In 2016 DMA Rankings, D.C. Moves Up One Spot, Tampa Up Two |work=[[AdWeek]] |date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118142224/http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/in-2016-dma-rankings-d-c-moves-up-one-spot-tampa-up-two/154885 |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a ''[[Crain's Chicago Business]]'' article, one businessman described his wishes for the team to maximize its potential. In 2009, ''Yahoo! Sports'' listed the McCaskeys as the third worst owner in the NFL, stating "[T]hey get less for what they've got than any team in our league."<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael |last=Silver |title='09 owner rankings, 17–32: Dysfunctional Davis |date=September 2, 2009 |work=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-ownerrankingspartone09020 |access-date=September 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103060447/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-ownerrankingspartone09020 |archive-date=November 3, 2011 }}</ref>

===Ownership history===
[[File:Halas-Sternaman-grange-bears.jpg|thumb|340px|[[Edward Sternaman|Sternaman]] and [[George Halas|Halas]] with [[Red Grange|Grange]] and [[C. C. Pyle|Pyle]]]]
The club was founded by [[A. E. Staley|A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company]] owner Augustus Eugene Staley in 1919 and was owned by the company until 1921. In 1921, Staley felt he could no longer afford the expensive burden of pro-football and transferred team ownership to Halas and paid him $5,000 for a sponsorship deal that kept the Staleys name for one more year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/football-history/1869-1939/1921/|title=Staleys Claim the APFA Championship|work=Pro Football Hall of Fame}}</ref> Halas than added [[Edward Sternaman|Edward "Dutch" Sternaman]] as a second owner. On January 28, 1922, the Bears were incorporated at an NFL meeting, as "a new league team" after its name change.<ref>{{cite book |last=Willis |first=Chris |date=August 19, 2010 |title=The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-7670-5 |pages=141–142}}</ref><ref name="1922season" /> At season's end, the two competed with agent [[Bill Harley (agent)|Bill Harley]] for ownership of the Staleys, after he negotiated a contract that was to give his brother [[Chic Harley]] and himself one-third ownership of the team as part of his contract. However, Halas and Sternaman claimed that the contract was voided when a physical revealed health impairments resultant from Harley's time in the war. The other league owners agreed to nullify the deal in favor of the Halas/Sternaman partnership by an 8–2 vote.<ref name="1922season">{{cite web|url=https://www.profootballresearchers.org/articles/A_Few_More_Loose_Ends.pdf|title=A Few More Loose Ends|work=The Professional Football Researchers Association|access-date=September 12, 2023|archive-date=October 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040032/https://www.profootballresearchers.org/articles/A_Few_More_Loose_Ends.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, Halas and Sternaman offered a share of the team to Paddy Driscoll, but the move was blocked by the owners in the NFL's June meeting, after the [[Chicago Cardinals]] (Driscoll's team) activated the league's [[reserve clause]].<ref name="1922season" />

In 1931, Sternaman offered to sell his stake to Halas for $38,000 to focus on his other businesses. Halas' purchase agreement with Sternaman was to be paid off in installments, and stipulated that if Halas defaulted on any of the payments, ownership of the team reverted to Sternaman. Halas raised the initial funding by selling an 8.33% ownership stake to [[Ralph Brizzolara]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-12-19-8503280078-story.html|title=FLORENCE BRIZZOLARA, 87; FRIEND OF HALAS OWNED PART OF BEARS|work=Chicago Tribune|date=December 19, 1985|access-date=September 13, 2023|archive-date=October 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040036/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-12-19-8503280078-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as $5,000 of shares to [[Jim McMillen]], and [[George Trafton]]'s mother, who paid $20,000 (Halas later bought her out for $40,000).<ref name="m976">{{cite web | last=Larkin | first=Will | title=Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 28, George Trafton | website=Chicago Tribune | date=2019-08-09 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/08/09/ranking-the-100-best-bears-players-ever-no-28-george-trafton/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826193709/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/08/09/ranking-the-100-best-bears-players-ever-no-28-george-trafton/ | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Charles Bidwill]] purchased $5,000 in stock in 1933 (which was later bought off of his widow [[Violet Bidwill Wolfner|Violet]] for $50,000 in 1949<ref name="q877">{{cite web | last=Olsen | first=Jack | title=The Unhappiest Millionaire | website=Sports Illustrated Vault | date=1960-04-04 | url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1960/04/04/the-unhappiest-millionaire | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 1, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801193523/https://vault.si.com/vault/1960/04/04/the-unhappiest-millionaire | url-status=live }}</ref>) and he also arranged a bank loan for the remaining $5,000 needed to pay off Sternaman:
{{Blockquote|But it was a mighty close call. As I remember, I finally got all the money together at 11:10 a.m. on the day the final note came due. Forfeit time was 12 o'clock noon.|[[George Halas]], ''That's The Way the Ball Bounces'', 1967}}
Halas remained the club's president and principal owner until his death on October 31, 1983.

Halas' children, [[George Halas Jr.|George "Mugs" Halas Jr.]] and Virginia McCaskey acquired stock in the team through prior gifts and sales. After Mugs' death in 1979, Halas Sr. owned a 49.35% interest in the Bears, Mugs' estate owned a 19.67% interest, while Virginia McCaskey, [[Jim Finks]] (3.5%, which he later relinquished when he resigned as the team GM<ref name="s614">{{cite web | last=Pompei | first=Dan | title=Ranking the best decisions in Bears history: Mike Ditka, Richard Dent and the T-formation | website=The Athletic | date=2023-06-27 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4578961/2023/06/27/chicago-bears-best-decisions-rankings/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826193622/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4578961/2023/06/27/chicago-bears-best-decisions-rankings/ | url-status=live }}</ref>), Charles Brizzolara, Robert and Carol Brizzolara in joint tenancy, and Nancy Lorenz owned the remaining outstanding shares. In 1981, the shareholders merged the Bears with a newly formed Delaware-incorporated organization, the '''Chicago Bears Football Club, Inc.'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://casetext.com/case/in-re-estate-of-halas-1|title=ESTATE OF GEORGE S. HALAS, JR., Deceased|work=Casetext}}</ref>

In 1987, Mugs' estate executor wanted to sell his ownership stake and challenged the legality of a 1981 corporate reorganization and the other owners' [[right of first refusal]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/02/business/chicago-bears-unhappy-heirs-and-a-stock-dispute.html|title=CHICAGO BEARS, UNHAPPY HEIRS, AND A STOCK DISPUTE|work=The New York Times|date=August 2, 1987|last1=Phillips|first1=Stephen|access-date=September 13, 2023|archive-date=October 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040030/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/02/business/chicago-bears-unhappy-heirs-and-a-stock-dispute.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while his heirs, Christine and Stephen Halas, wanted to keep their father's stake, asking a Cook County Probate Court judge not to allow the sale.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-01-21-8803240084-story.html|title=SON MAKES PLEA TO HOLD BEARS STOCK|work=Chicago Tribune|date=January 21, 1988 }}</ref> Ultimately they failed to block the Chicago Bears from buying their father's 19.67% ownership stake of the team, which sold for $17.5 million in 1988.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-03-10-8804060125-story.html|title=HALAS HEIRS FAIL TO BLOCK BEARS PURCHASE OF STOCK|work=Chicago Tribune|date=March 10, 1988|access-date=September 13, 2023|archive-date=October 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040034/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-03-10-8804060125-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Bears then-president [[Michael McCaskey]] called the purchase a "terrific financial burden", and the team would later sell the stake to Chicago-area businessmen Andrew McKenna and Patrick Ryan for a then-undisclosed sum{{efn|At the time it was estimated the Bears received between $20 million to $40 million, but later reports indicated the amount was $17 million.}} in 1990.<ref name="u724">{{cite web | last=Mitchell | first=Fred | title=BEARS' 20-PERCENT STOCK SALE LIFTS MAJOR BURDEN | website=Chicago Tribune | date=1990-06-07 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/06/07/bears-20-percent-stock-sale-lifts-major-burden/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826193538/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/06/07/bears-20-percent-stock-sale-lifts-major-burden/ | url-status=live }}</ref> At the time it was also speculated that they invested to help the Bears lobby lawmakers for a domed stadium.<ref name="c387">{{Cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Melissa |last2=Hopkins |first2=Jared S. |date=2013-07-28 |title=McCaskeys intend to hold onto Bears |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/07/28/mccaskeys-intend-to-hold-onto-bears-2/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826193538/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/07/28/mccaskeys-intend-to-hold-onto-bears-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, the NFL approved a sale of shares from Mugs' children (unreported whom or how much) to the McCaskey family for an undisclosed sum.<ref name="l406">{{cite web | last=Gantt | first=Darin | title=Halas grandchildren want to sell shares of team to McCaskeys | website=NBC Sports | date=2017-03-27 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/halas-grandchildren-want-to-sell-shares-of-team-to-mccaskeys | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=October 7, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040030/https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/halas-grandchildren-want-to-sell-shares-of-team-to-mccaskeys | url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 6, 2025, Virginia McCaskey died at the age of 102.<ref name="Finley-25">{{cite news |last=Finley |first=Patrick |url=https://www.wbez.org/obituary/2025/02/06/virginia-mccaskey-bears-obit-dies-102-halas |title=Chicago Bears matriarch Virginia McCaskey dies at 102 |work=[[WBEZ]] |date=February 6, 2025 }}</ref>

==Sponsorships==
The team has major sponsorship deals with [[Dr Pepper Snapple Group]], [[Miller Brewing Company]], [[PNC Financial Services]], [[United Airlines]], [[Verizon Communications|Verizon]], [[Xfinity]], and Proven IT.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portal.sliderocket.com/AIRXF/Chicago-Bears-Corporate-Partnerships|title=Corporate Partners|publisher=Chicago Bears|access-date=August 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814134937/http://portal.sliderocket.com/AIRXF/Chicago-Bears-Corporate-Partnerships|archive-date=August 14, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/04/17/dr-pepper-wins-exclusive-sponsorship-rights-with-bears/|title=Dr. Pepper Wins Exclusive Sponsorship Rights With Bears " CBS Chicago|publisher=[[WBBM-TV]]|date=April 17, 2012|access-date=May 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521182538/http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/04/17/dr-pepper-wins-exclusive-sponsorship-rights-with-bears/|archive-date=May 21, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The team was the first in the NFL to have a presenting [[sponsor (commercial)|sponsor]], with the 2004 season advertised as "Bears Football presented by [[Bank One Corporation|BankOne]]". Additionally, the Bears have an agreement with [[WFLD]] (the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] [[owned-and-operated station]] in Chicago) to broadcast pre-season football games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chicago Bears Feel at Home on WFLD-TV|work=[[TVWeek]]|url=http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/04/chicago_bears_feel_at_home_on.php|access-date=April 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828005237/http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/04/chicago_bears_feel_at_home_on.php|archive-date=August 28, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Logos and uniforms==
{{Main|Logos and uniforms of the Chicago Bears}}

The club has had few official logos throughout their history. When the team was known as the Decatur Staleys in 1920, they used [[A. E. Staley]]'s logo as football was intended to help promote the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportslogohistory.com/decatur-staleys-primary-logo|title=Decatur Staleys Primary Logo|work=Sports Logo History|access-date=March 30, 2018|archive-date=March 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331070655/https://sportslogohistory.com/decatur-staleys-primary-logo|url-status=live}}</ref> The first Chicago Bears logo was introduced in 1940, depicting a black bear running with a football. The next logo, introduced in 1946, featured a navy blue bear on top of a football.

In 1962, the Bears introduced their trademark "[[wishbone-C]]" logo for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the Chicago Bears Logo |work=Chicago Bears |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/history/uniform.jsp |access-date=August 1, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050520013751/http://www.chicagobears.com/history/uniform.jsp |archive-date=May 20, 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Initially white with a black outline, the logo is similar to the "C" long worn on the [[Cincinnati Reds]]' baseball caps, and very closely resembles the [[Chicago Maroons|University of Chicago Maroons]]' "C" logo introduced in 1898. The change in the Bears' logo was due to the addition of logos on [[football helmet|helmets]], which professional football teams began adding in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

In 2023, the Bears made their primary logo the orange bear head, which was previously their secondary logo since 1999.<ref name=brandguidelines/> Despite demoting the "C" to a secondary logo, the team will still retain it on their helmets and at the home field's 50-yard line.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Michael David |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bears-change-primary-logo-to-bear-head-but-c-will-remain-on-helmet-and-50-yard-line |title=Bears change primary logo to bear head, but C will remain on helmet and 50-yard line |work=NBC Sports |date=August 11, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810223341/https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bears-change-primary-logo-to-bear-head-but-c-will-remain-on-helmet-and-50-yard-line |url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery>
Chicago Bears white logo.png|Primary logo (1962–1973)
Chicago Bears logo.svg|Primary logo (1974–2022)<br/>Secondary logo (2023–present)
Chicago Bears wordmark.svg|Wordmark logo (1974–present) 
Chicago Bears logo primary.svg|Secondary logo (1999–2022)<br/>Primary logo (2023–present)
</gallery>

==Team culture==
===Mascots and cheerleaders===
{{main|Staley Da Bear|Chicago Honey Bears}}
[[File:Staleythebear.jpg|thumb|right|Staley Da Bear in 2008]]
Before the [[2003 Chicago Bears season|2003 season]], the team had two unofficial mascots named "Rocky" and "Bearman". "Rocky" was a man who donned a #1 Bears jersey, carried a [[megaphone]], and started chants all over Soldier Field during the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, in a fashion similar to [[Fireman Ed]]. The identity of "Rocky" is unknown, but he presumably lives in northwestern Indiana.<ref name="Taylor">{{cite web | last=Taylor |first=Roy |date = 2005 | title = The Honey Bears, "Rocky" and "Bearman" | work = Bearshistory.com | url = http://www.bearshistory.com/sidelines/chicagohoneybears.aspx | access-date = May 1, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060420090157/http://www.bearshistory.com/sidelines/chicagohoneybears.aspx | archive-date = April 20, 2006 | url-status = live }}</ref> Don Wachter, also known as "Bearman", is a [[season ticket]] holder who decided in 1995 that he could also assist the team by cheerleading, similar to Rocky. The club allowed him to run across the field with a large Bears flag during player introductions and each team score (a role more recently done by the Bears 4th Phase and Bears captains). In 1996, he donned his "costume" of face paint, bear head and arms, and a number [[Doug Plank|46]] jersey. "Bearman" was forced to stop wearing his costume with the introduction of [[Staley Da Bear]] in 2003, but in 2005 Wachter was allowed in costume again.<ref name="Taylor"/>

Staley Da Bear is an [[anthropomorphic]] bear with a customized No. 00 jersey, with blue and orange eyes, synonymous with the team's main colors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/team/player.asp?player_id=200 |title=Roster |publisher=Chicago Bears |access-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618110812/http://www.chicagobears.com/team/player.asp?player_id=200 |archive-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His name is eponymous to starch processing company [[A. E. Staley]], who founded the Bears' franchise. Like Rocky and Bearman, he entertains Bears fans, but like other [[List of National Football League mascots|NFL mascots]], and mascots in general, Staley also visits charity events, parties,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/staley/StaleyStory.asp?story_id=5495 |title=Staley crashes Bears holiday party |publisher=Chicagobears.com |date=December 29, 2008 |access-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026225336/http://www.chicagobears.com/staley/StaleyStory.asp?story_id=5495 |archive-date=October 26, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/staley/StaleyStory.asp?story_id=6279 |title=Halloween is fun for Bears too |publisher=Chicagobears.com |date=November 6, 2009 |access-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322200650/http://www.chicagobears.com/staley/StaleyStory.asp?story_id=6279 |archive-date=March 22, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Chicago Rush]] [[Arena Football League|AFL]] games, and other Bears-related events, as well as taking part in games with his "furballs" against youth football teams at halftime.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/staley/StaleyStory.asp?story_id=6451 |title=Furballs foiled again |publisher=Chicagobears.com |date=December 30, 2009 |access-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312083930/http://www.chicagobears.com/staley/StaleyStory.asp?story_id=6451 |archive-date=March 12, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/staley/StaleyStory.asp?story_id=5533 |title=Staley, friends fall to youth team |publisher=Chicagobears.com |date=January 16, 2009 |access-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423112224/http://www.chicagobears.com/staley/StaleyStory.asp?story_id=5533 |archive-date=April 23, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The team had a [[National Football League Cheerleading|cheerleading squad]] called the [[Chicago Honey Bears]] beginning in 1976. However, Bears owner [[Virginia Halas McCaskey]] terminated them after the [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985 season]].<ref name="Taylor"/> The squad's uniforms changed three times: from 1976 to 1979, the uniform was a white bodysuit with navy blue sleeves; from 1980 to 1984 it was a white bodysuit with orange sleeves and the navy was moved to the trim, and for the squad's final season in 1985, the uniform was redesigned with an orange sequin vest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagohoneybears.net/history.htm |title=Chicago Honey Bears.net |publisher=Chicago Honey Bears.net |access-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003225022/http://www.chicagohoneybears.net/history.htm |archive-date=October 3, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Philanthropy===
Since 1998, the Bears have partnered with 'A Safe Place,' a domestic violence shelter in [[Waukegan, Illinois]].<ref name="chicagobears.com">{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=June 26, 2017 |title=Bears volunteer at 'A Safe Place' shelter |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-volunteer-at-A-Safe-Place-shelter/45a1427c-50e2-48d9-ba47-17723f172398 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706151135/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-volunteer-at-A-Safe-Place-shelter/45a1427c-50e2-48d9-ba47-17723f172398 |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |access-date=June 26, 2017 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> In June 2017, existing and former Bears employees helped  renovate the shelter by ripping up carpet, painting walls, demolishing a kitchen and building a fence.<ref name="chicagobears.com" /> The Bears have also provided financial support throughout the years.

==Rivalries==
===Divisional===
====Green Bay Packers====
{{main|Bears–Packers rivalry}}
The [[Green Bay Packers]] are the Bears' biggest rivals since their team's inception in 1920. The Green Bay Packers currently have the lead at 103–95–6,<ref>{{cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Phil |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-bears-tv-ratings-spt-1022-20161021-story.html |title=Cubs clobber Bears in Thursday's TV ratings |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=October 21, 2016 |access-date=December 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218022815/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-bears-tv-ratings-spt-1022-20161021-story.html |archive-date=December 18, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the teams have met twice in the postseason. The Bears won the 1941 meeting, 33–14, and eventually defeated the [[New York Giants]] in the [[1941 NFL Championship Game]], and the Packers won the 2011 meeting, 21–14, en route to a [[Super Bowl XLV]] win over the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]].<ref name="u063">{{cite web | last=D’Amato | first=Gary | title=Jan. 23, 2011: Defense dominates in historic NFC Championship vs Bears | website=PackersNews.com | date=2018-09-08 | url=https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2018/09/08/jan-23-2011-defense-dominates-historic-nfc-championship-vs-bears/1139899002/#:~:text=The%20Packers%20beat%20the%20Chicago,Bowl%20%2D%20knocking%20off%20the%20Nos. | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826191136/https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2018/09/08/jan-23-2011-defense-dominates-historic-nfc-championship-vs-bears/1139899002/#:~:text=The%20Packers%20beat%20the%20Chicago,Bowl%20%2D%20knocking%20off%20the%20Nos. | url-status=live }}</ref> The teams' first meeting was a victory for the Bears (known as the Staleys at the time) in 1921 in a shutout, 20–0. The Packers claimed their first win over the Bears in 1925, 14–10. The 1924 matchup (which ended in a 3–0 win for Chicago) was notable for featuring the first-ever ejection of players in a game in NFL history, as [[Frank Hanny]] of the Bears and [[Tillie Voss|Walter Voss]] of the Packers were ejected for punching each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsportswisconsin.com/01/21/11/History-is-special-between-old-rivals/landing.html?blockID=395657|title=History is special between old rivals|publisher=Foxsportswisconsin.com|access-date=August 3, 2012|archive-date=May 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503215448/https://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin|url-status=live}}</ref> The rivalry also featured one of the last successful [[fair catch kick]]s in 1968, when Bears kicker [[Mac Percival]] kicked the game-winning field goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=8676 |title=Bears shocked Pack with late free kick |publisher=Chicagobears.com |date=March 9, 2012 |access-date=August 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415035631/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=8676 |archive-date=April 15, 2012 }}</ref>

====Detroit Lions====
{{main|Bears–Lions rivalry}}
The [[Detroit Lions]] and Bears have faced off since the Lions' inception in 1930, when they were known as the Portsmouth Spartans, with the Spartans winning, 7–6, and Chicago winning the second meeting, 14–6. Since then, the Bears have led the series, 99–74–5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions |url=https://aws.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=det&yr=all |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205233107/https://aws.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=det&yr=all |archive-date=December 5, 2024 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref> The rivalry grew in 1932, when the Bears and Spartans met in the first-ever postseason game in NFL history, with the Bears winning the [[1932 NFL Playoff Game|game 9–0]]. The game also was known as the first pro "[[Indoor American football|indoor football]]" game, as the game took place in indoor [[Chicago Stadium]] due to a blizzard at the time. The game also started the [[forward pass]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/decades/1930s/first_playoff_game.aspx|title=History: The First Playoff Game|publisher=Profootballhof.com|access-date=May 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603232114/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/decades/1930s/first_playoff_game.aspx|archive-date=June 3, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Minnesota Vikings====
{{main|Bears–Vikings rivalry}}
Chicago and [[Minnesota Vikings|Minnesota]] took each other on in the Vikings' inaugural game, with the Vikings defeating the Bears in a 37–13 rout, and Minnesota currently holds the series lead 60–54–2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears |url=https://aws.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=min&tm2=chi&yr=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205233315/https://aws.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=min&tm2=chi&yr=all |archive-date=December 5, 2024 |url-status=live |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Historic===
====Chicago/St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals====
{{main|Bears–Cardinals rivalry}}
The oldest continuing matchup in the NFL belongs to the Bears and the [[Arizona Cardinals]],<ref name="b968">{{cite web | last=Ziemba | first=Joe | title=Bears vs. Cardinals Is the NFL's Oldest Rivalry | website=Chicago Magazine | date=2023-12-18 | url=https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/december-2023/the-nfls-oldest-rivalry/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=January 15, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115185231/https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/december-2023/the-nfls-oldest-rivalry/ | url-status=live }}</ref> the only remaining NFL teams from the [[1920 APFA season]]. It began as intense intra-city rivalry between the Bears and the [[History of the Chicago Cardinals|Chicago Cardinals]], which the Bears were leading 47–19–6 through 1959, when the Cardinals [[History of the St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)|moved to St. Louis]]. The rivalry's importance waned further after the Cardinals moved to the [[Phoenix metropolitan area]] in 1988. The Bears lead the all-time series 59–28–6.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. Chicago/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals |url=https://aws.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=crd&yr=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205233509/https://aws.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=crd&yr=all |archive-date=December 5, 2024 |url-status=live |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The teams have yet to meet in the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportsteamhistory.com/chicago-cardinals|title=NFL Cardinals Team History|date=January 15, 2017|publisher=Sports Team History|access-date=November 24, 2021|archive-date=April 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408055110/https://sportsteamhistory.com/chicago-cardinals|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Meier |first=Eric |date=September 28, 2017 |title=No, Bears-Packers Is Not the Oldest Rivalry in the NFL |url=https://k1025.com/bears-packers-not-oldest-rivalry/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408055110/https://k1025.com/bears-packers-not-oldest-rivalry/ |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=November 24, 2021 |website=K102.5 - Kalamazoo's Greatest Hits |publisher=K102.5 Kalamazoo Radio}}</ref><ref name="CardinalsSI">{{Cite web |last=Harner |first=Andrew |title=Who Are the Arizona Cardinals' Biggest Rivals? |date=April 10, 2020 |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/Who-Are-the-Arizona-Cardinals-Biggest-Rivals |access-date=November 24, 2021 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408055110/https://www.si.com/nfl/Who-Are-the-Arizona-Cardinals-Biggest-Rivals |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Bill |date=September 2, 2019 |title=Cardinals stake claim: NFL's oldest franchise has a story to tell |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2019/09/02/Teams-and-League/Cardinals.aspx |access-date=November 24, 2021 |publisher=Sports Business Journal |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408055110/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2019/09/02/Teams-and-League/Cardinals.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

====New York Giants====
{{main|Bears–Giants rivalry}}
The Bears and the [[New York Giants]] squared off in six NFL championship games, more than any common match-up in either the NFL championship game or Super Bowl. The Bears won four of the six championship games, which included the '''Sneakers Game''' that the Giants won in the [[1934 NFL Championship Game]]. The two teams also met in the [[1985–86 NFL playoffs|1985]] and [[1990–91 NFL playoffs|1990 playoffs]], splitting each meeting en route to a Super Bowl championship (Bears in [[Super Bowl XX]], Giants in [[Super Bowl XXV]]). As of the 2023 season, the Bears lead the all-time series 36–25–2.<ref name="BearsGiantsRivalry">{{Cite news |last=Kratch |first=James |date=May 16, 2019 |title=The history of the Giants-Bears rivalry, from the Sneakers Game to Devin Hester |url=https://www.nj.com/giants/2016/11/the_history_of_the_giants-bears_rivalry_from_the_s.html |access-date=November 15, 2021 |publisher=NJ.com |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116014820/https://www.nj.com/giants/2016/11/the_history_of_the_giants-bears_rivalry_from_the_s.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=nyg&yr=all |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124161833/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=nyg&yr=all |url-status=live }}</ref>

====San Francisco 49ers====
The Bears and [[San Francisco 49ers]] were regular foes while both played in the [[NFL Western Conference|Western Conference]]. The rivalry grew during the 1980s, as both teams were constant playoff contenders in the NFC. The 49ers currently hold the series lead 35–33–1 and 3–0 in the playoffs.<ref name="p110">{{cite web | title=Chicago Bears: 49ers series is an underrated rivalry | website=Twin Cities | date=2012-11-18 | url=https://www.twincities.com/2012/11/18/chicago-bears-49ers-series-is-an-underrated-rivalry/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=September 6, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906192800/https://www.twincities.com/2012/11/18/chicago-bears-49ers-series-is-an-underrated-rivalry/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="c828">{{cite web | last=Mayer | first=Larry | title=9 fun facts about Bears-49ers matchup | website=Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2021 Week 8 game, all-time history | date=2021-10-31 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/9-fun-facts-about-bears-49ers-matchup-all-time-history-2021-week-8 | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=September 6, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906192800/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/9-fun-facts-about-bears-49ers-matchup-all-time-history-2021-week-8 | url-status=live }}</ref> Under the current NFL scheduling formula, the Bears and 49ers play at least once every four years.<ref name="NFLSchedule">{{Cite web|title=Creating the NFL Schedule|url=https://operations.nfl.com/gameday/nfl-schedule/creating-the-nfl-schedule/|website=NFL Football Operations|access-date=January 15, 2024|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202121449/https://operations.nfl.com/gameday/nfl-schedule/creating-the-nfl-schedule/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Tampa Bay Buccaneers====
The Bears holds historic rivalry with its former [[NFC Central]] foe [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]. as of the 2023 season, Chicago currently holds the series lead 40–22.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=tam&yr=all |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=December 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225145554/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=tam&yr=all |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=December 22, 2015 |title=Series History: Buccaneers vs. Bears |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/series-history-buccaneers-vs-bears-16558935 |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Buccaneers.com |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906153859/https://www.buccaneers.com/news/series-history-buccaneers-vs-bears-16558935 |url-status=live }}</ref> Under the current NFL scheduling formula, the Bears and Bucs play at least once every four years.<ref name="NFLSchedule"/>

====Washington Commanders====
Although the teams never played in the same division, the Bears and the [[Washington Commanders]] have a historically significant rivalry, dating back to 1932, when the Commanders were located in Boston and were known as the [[1932 Boston Braves (NFL) season|Braves]]. The rivalry started to heat up in 1937, when Washington drafted quarterback [[Sammy Baugh]] and both teams were often met in the [[NFL Championship Game]].<ref name="c400">{{cite web | last=Loverro | first=Thom | title=LOVERRO: Old-school Washington-Chicago rivalry once ruled the NFL | website=The Washington Times | date=2023-10-04 | url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/oct/4/old-school-washington-chicago-rivalry-once-nfl-bes/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=January 15, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115184927/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/oct/4/old-school-washington-chicago-rivalry-once-nfl-bes/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The most memorable game from that era was in 1940, when the Bears set a record by defeating the Commanders [[1940 NFL Championship Game|73-0 in the NFL Championship game]], to this day, the largest margin of victory in league history.<ref name="c857"/><ref name="j957">{{cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |title=Bears crushed Redskins 73-0 to win 1940 title |website=Chicago Bears |date=2019-07-09 |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-crushed-redskins-73-0-to-win-1940-title |access-date=2024-08-26 |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115184927/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-crushed-redskins-73-0-to-win-1940-title |url-status=live }}</ref> The series regained steam in the 1980s, when both teams were fighting for the [[National Football Conference|NFC]] supremacy.<ref name="n966">{{cite web | last=Boone | first=Dan | title=NFL Epics Of The Eighties: Chicago Bears Vs Washington Redskins | website=Bleacher Report | date=2008-06-23 | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/31882-nfl-epics-of-the-eighties-chicago-bears-vs-washington-redskins | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=January 15, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115184927/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/31882-nfl-epics-of-the-eighties-chicago-bears-vs-washington-redskins | url-status=live }}</ref> Washington holds a slight edge in the all-time series 27-25-1 (2–1 in the playoffs and 2–2 in championship games).<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=was&yr=all |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222145846/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=was&yr=all |url-status=live }}</ref> Under the current NFL scheduling formula, the Bears and Commanders play at least once every four years.<ref name="NFLSchedule" />

===Minor===

====Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams====
The [[Los Angeles Rams|Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams]] and the Bears played in the same division the [[1937 NFL season]] to the [[1969 NFL season]] (with the 1958 game attracting 100,470 fans, the largest in Bears history<ref name="u972">{{cite web | last=Mayer | first=Larry | title=9 fun facts about Bears-Rams matchup | website=Chicago Bears | date=2021-09-12 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/9-fun-facts-about-bears-rams-matchup-week-1-2021-sunday-night-football | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=March 11, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311150616/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/9-fun-facts-about-bears-rams-matchup-week-1-2021-sunday-night-football | url-status=live }}</ref>), while the two franchises continue to play annually until the [[1980 NFL season]].<ref name="z443">{{cite web | title=Bears-Rams rivalry overheated 70 years ago | website=Pro Football Hall of Fame | date=2024-03-20 | url=https://www.profootballhof.com/blogs/2018/10/blogs-stories-from-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-archives-bears-rams-rivalry-overheated-70-years-ag/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=September 8, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908000812/https://www.profootballhof.com/blogs/2018/10/blogs-stories-from-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-archives-bears-rams-rivalry-overheated-70-years-ag/ | url-status=live }}</ref>  From 1995 to 2015 the two teams were part of the Chicago-St. Louis rivalries in the [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|major professional leagues]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schneider |first=Joey |date=May 9, 2023 |title=Ready for another St. Louis-Chicago sports rivalry? A soccer one starts Tuesday |work=Fox 2 |url=https://fox2now.com/sports/stl-city-sc/ready-for-another-st-louis-chicago-sports-rivalry-a-soccer-one-starts-tuesday/ |access-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514155902/https://fox2now.com/sports/stl-city-sc/ready-for-another-st-louis-chicago-sports-rivalry-a-soccer-one-starts-tuesday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of the 2023 season, Chicago currently holds the series lead 54–39–3 (1–1 in the playoffs). It is the Rams' longest-running, non-division series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland/St. Louis/LA Rams |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=ram&yr=all |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118165707/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=ram&yr=all |url-status=live }}</ref> Under the current NFL scheduling formula, the Bears and Rams play at least once every four years.<ref name="NFLSchedule" />

====Miami Dolphins====
The [[American Football Conference|AFC]] member [[Miami Dolphins]] and the Bears met less than 15 times but most of them were memorable.<ref name="t236">{{cite web | last=Dietzler | first=Bryan | title=Chicago Bears vs. Miami Dolphins: Two Games To Forget for Bears Fans | website=Bleacher Report | date=2010-11-17 | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/520032-chicago-bears-vs-the-miami-dolphins-two-games-to-forget | access-date=2024-08-26}}</ref> The most notable was the 1985 shootout at [[Monday Night Football|Monday Night]], as Miami handing Chicago their first, and only, regular-season loss for the year, while keeping the [[1972 Miami Dolphins season|1972 Dolphins]] as the only perfect team in NFL history.<ref name="w184">{{cite web | last=McTigue | first=John | title=MNF moments, No. 10: Bears' only '85 loss | website=ESPN.com | date=2014-08-29 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/137545/mnf-moments-no-10-bears-only-85-loss | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826184805/https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/137545/mnf-moments-no-10-bears-only-85-loss | url-status=live }}</ref> As of the 2023 season, Miami currently holds the series lead 10–4.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. Miami Dolphins |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=mia&yr=all |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=June 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620163054/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=mia&yr=all |url-status=live }}</ref> Under the current NFL scheduling formula, the teams play at least once every four years.<ref name="NFLSchedule" />

===Defunct===
====Rock Island Independents====
Chicago had a fierce instate rivalry with the [[Rock Island Independents]] in the league's first decade, with the Bears winning the series 8–1–4.<ref name="s226">{{cite web | last=Dochterman | first=Scott | title=Once a fierce Chicago Bears rival, what ever happened to the NFL's Rock Island Independents? | website=The Athletic | date=2021-07-04 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2688366/2021/07/04/once-a-fierce-chicago-bears-rival-what-ever-happened-to-the-nfls-rock-island-independents/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826184516/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2688366/2021/07/04/once-a-fierce-chicago-bears-rival-what-ever-happened-to-the-nfls-rock-island-independents/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. Rock Island Independents |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=rii&yr=all |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826184544/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=rii&yr=all |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Canton/Cleveland Bulldogs ====
The '''[[Canton Bulldogs|Canton/Cleveland Bulldogs]]''' and the Staleys/Bears rivalry was between the two NFL's powerhouses in the 1920s, with games usually attracting the most fans,<ref name="k430">{{cite web | last=Doerschuk | first=Steve | title=The NFL landscape when Canton ruled in 1922-23 | website=Canton Repository | date=2017-08-06 | url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/2017/08/06/the-nfl-landscape-when-canton/20009755007/ | access-date=2024-08-21}}</ref> and the outcome often decided the fate of [[List of NFL champions (1920–1969)|NFL Championship]] (1921–1924).<ref name="c528">{{cite web | last=Robinson | first=Sam | title=Going deep: The best NFL game from every season | website=Yardbarker | date=2024-06-21 | url=https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/going_deep_the_best_nfl_game_from_every_season/s1__29893202#slide_100 | access-date=2024-08-21 | archive-date=December 19, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219191319/https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/going_deep_the_best_nfl_game_from_every_season/s1__29893202#slide_100 | url-status=live }}</ref> The rivalry grow after the 1921 season, when the Staleys star [[Guy Chamberlin]] joined the Bulldogs and led them to three consecutive championships, including a tiebreaker win over the Bears in [[1924 NFL season|1924]].<ref name="1922season" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Guy Chamberlin; Class of 1965|url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/guy-chamberlin/|website=Pro Football Hall of Fame|access-date=December 19, 2023|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911044647/https://www.profootballhof.com/players/guy-chamberlin|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Staley's Bears 1920-1921 Berlin Guy "Champ" Chamberlin|url=https://www.staleymuseum.com/staleys-bears-20-21/guy-chamberlin/|website=Staley Museum|date=December 10, 2015|access-date=December 19, 2023|archive-date=December 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219191321/https://www.staleymuseum.com/staleys-bears-20-21/guy-chamberlin/|url-status=live}}</ref> Chicago won the series 4–3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. Canton Bulldogs |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=cbd&yr=all |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826184409/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=cbd&yr=all |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Bulldogs |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=cib&yr=all |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826184449/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=cib&yr=all |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Facilities==
===Stadium===
{{Main|Staley Field|Wrigley Field|Soldier Field|Chicago Bears stadium}}
[[File:Soldier Field, Chicago.jpg|thumb|Soldier Field in 2011, as seen from the lakeshore]]
Soldier Field, located on [[Lake Shore Drive]] in Chicago, is the home of the Bears. The Bears moved to Soldier Field in 1971 after outgrowing [[Wrigley Field]], the team's home for 50 years.<ref name="a130">{{cite web | last=Rumore | first=Kori | title=From Wrigley Field to Soldier Field: Where the Chicago Bears have played home games since 1921 | website=Chicago Tribune | date=2024-04-24 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/04/24/chicago-bears-home-game-stadiums/#:~:text=Soldier%20Field%20(1971%2D2001%3B%202003%2Dpresent)&text=The%20Bears%20relocated%20to%20Soldier,chose%20it%20over%20Comiskey%20Park. | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826184123/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/04/24/chicago-bears-home-game-stadiums/#:~:text=Soldier%20Field%20(1971%2D2001%3B%202003%2Dpresent)&text=The%20Bears%20relocated%20to%20Soldier,chose%20it%20over%20Comiskey%20Park. | url-status=live }}</ref> After the [[AFL-NFL Merger]], the league preferred their teams to play in stadiums that could hold at least 50,000 fans. Even with portable bleachers that the team set up at Wrigley, the stadium could still only hold 46,000.<ref name="Wrigley Field">{{cite web|title=Soldier Field History|work=BearsHistory.com|url=http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/soldierfieldhistory.aspx|access-date=July 16, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618034149/http://bearshistory.com/lore/soldierfieldhistory.aspx|archive-date=June 18, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> At first, the Bears were supposed to play at Dyche Stadium (later called [[Ryan Field (stadium)|Ryan Field]]), but [[Northwestern University]]'s residential neighbors objected, and the agreement was cancelled. The original home of the Bears was [[Staley Field]] at [[Decatur, Illinois]], when the team was known as the [[Decatur Staleys]], before they moved to Chicago in 1921.

Soldier Field's playing surface was changed from natural grass to [[AstroTurf|astroturf]] before the 1971 season, and then back to natural grass in time for the start of the 1988 season. Throughout its history, Soldier Field's field maintenance has been done by the [[Chicago Park District]] (the municipal entity from which the Bears lease the field) by disparate district employees, rather than a permanent team-employed grounds crew, generating some controversy among players for its rough surface.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/13/23304366/bears-soldier-field-chewed-up-turf-preseason-oepner-chiefs-david-canter-game-cancel-arlington-height|title=NFLPA president on Soldier Field turf: 'NFL can and should do better'|last=Finley|first=Patric|date=August 13, 2022|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|access-date=May 6, 2023}}</ref> This arrangement caused disagreements with the city throughout the years, with the Bears attempting to agree on a new stadium since 1986.<ref name="w908">{{cite web | last=Eig | first=Jonathan | title=Remembering the Family Drama of the Bears-McCaskey Era | website=Chicago Magazine | date=2020-07-15 | url=https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/august-2020/michael-mccaskey-bears-fired/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=October 7, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040030/https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/august-2020/michael-mccaskey-bears-fired/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The stadium was the site of the infamous [[Fog Bowl (American football)|Fog Bowl]] playoff game between the Bears and [[Philadelphia Eagles]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Flashback: Eagles fly into fog |work=NFL.com |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7730971 |access-date=September 28, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041010040609/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7730971 |archive-date=October 10, 2004 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In [[2002 Chicago Bears season|2002]], the stadium was closed and rebuilt with only the exterior wall being preserved. It was closed on Sunday, January 20, 2002, the day after the Bears lost in the [[2001–02 NFL playoffs|playoffs]]. It reopened on September 27, 2003, after a complete rebuild (the second in the stadium's history).<ref name="Wrigley Field" /> Many fans refer to the rebuilt stadium as "New Soldier Field".<ref>{{cite web|title=Soldier Field History |work=ChicagoBears.com |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/history/sf_facts.jsp |access-date=July 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051205064756/http://www.chicagobears.com/history/sf_facts.jsp |archive-date=December 5, 2005 }}</ref> During the {{nfly|2002}} season, the Bears played their home games at the University of Illinois' [[Memorial Stadium (University of Illinois)|Memorial Stadium]] in [[Champaign, Illinois|Champaign]], where they went 3–5.

Multiple critics have negative views of the new stadium, believing that its structure has made it more of an eyesore than a landmark; some have dubbed it the "Mistake on the Lake".<ref>{{cite web|title=Mistake on the Lake |work=The Times of Northwest Indiana |url=http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2003/09/30/news/top_news/965adf222a1ac3af86256db100030920.prt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913040037/http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2003/09/30/news/top_news/965adf222a1ac3af86256db100030920.prt |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |access-date=September 1, 2003 }}</ref> Soldier Field was stripped of its [[National Historic Landmark]] designation on February 17, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties, 4/17/06 through 4/21/06|work=National Register of Historic Places Listings|url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20060428.HTM|access-date=October 18, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011083739/http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20060428.HTM|archive-date=October 11, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[2005 NFL season|2005 season]], the Bears won the NFC North Division and the No. 2 Seed in the NFC Playoffs, entitling them to play at least one home game in the postseason. The team hosted (and lost) their divisional round match on January 15, 2006, against the [[2005 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]]. This was the first playoff game at Soldier Field since the stadium reopened.

The stadium's [[end zone]]s and midfield were unpainted until the [[1982 NFL season|1982 season]]. The design sported on the field included the bolded word "Chicago" rendered in [[Highway Gothic]] in both end zones. In 1983, the end zone design returned, with the addition of a large wishbone "C" Bears logo painted at midfield. These field markings remained unchanged until the [[1996 NFL season|1996 season]]. In 1996 the midfield wishbone "C" was changed to a large blue Bears head, and the end zone design were painted with "Bears" in cursive. This design remained until the [[1999 NFL season|1999 season]], when the artwork was returned to the classic "Chicago" and "C". In the new Soldier Field, the artwork was tweaked with the word "Chicago" bolded in one end zone and the other having "Bears".<ref>{{cite web|title=Bears History "Bits"|work=Bears History.com|url=http://www.bearshistory.com/sidelines/chicagobearshistorybits.aspx|access-date=July 16, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618034229/http://bearshistory.com/sidelines/chicagobearshistorybits.aspx|archive-date=June 18, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2021, the Bears submitted a bid to purchase the [[Arlington International Racecourse]] in [[Arlington Heights, Illinois]] from [[Churchill Downs Incorporated|Churchill Downs]].<ref name="arl">{{cite news |last=Gatto |first=Tom |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/bears-soldier-field-arlington-lori-lightfoot/2stmn54avgk41x5txa2zftiq1 |title=Bears use Arlington bid to squeeze Chicago on Soldier Field; mayor says they should focus on getting better |work=[[Sporting News]] |date=June 17, 2021 |access-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005015322/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/bears-soldier-field-arlington-lori-lightfoot/2stmn54avgk41x5txa2zftiq1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite negotiations between the city of Chicago to upgrade Soldier Field again, the Bears entered into an agreement with Churchill Downs to purchase the Arlington International Racecourse in September 2021 for $197.2 million. The sale of the property which includes 326 acres of space for potential development closed on February 15, 2023.<ref name="k957">{{cite web | title=What to know about the Chicago Bears' possible move from Soldier Field | website=Chicago Tribune | date=2024-03-18 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/03/18/what-to-know-about-the-chicago-bears-possible-move-from-soldier-field-and-which-other-suburbs-are-vying-for-the-stadium/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826184122/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/03/18/what-to-know-about-the-chicago-bears-possible-move-from-soldier-field-and-which-other-suburbs-are-vying-for-the-stadium/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cronin |first=Courtney |date=February 15, 2023 |title=Bears' purchase of 326-acre Arlington Park property official |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35667384/bears-purchase-326-acre-arlington-park-property-official |access-date=February 15, 2023 |work=ESPN.com |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215222543/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35667384/bears-purchase-326-acre-arlington-park-property-official |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2024, the Bears considered building a new stadium in the parking area south of Soldier Field on [[Museum Campus]].<ref name="i276">{{cite web | last1=Johnson | first1=Michael | last2=Flores | first2=Christine | last3=Lowe | first3=Mike | last4=Runge | first4=Erik | title=Bears would contribute $2 billion for domed lakefront stadium to replace Soldier Field, team president confirms | website=WGN-TV | date=2024-03-11 | url=https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/reports-bears-to-contribute-2-billion-for-domed-lakefront-stadium-to-replace-soldier-field/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=March 27, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327091824/https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/reports-bears-to-contribute-2-billion-for-domed-lakefront-stadium-to-replace-soldier-field/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="f024">{{cite web | last=Cronin | first=Courtney | title=Source: Bears shift focus to staying in Chicago | website=ESPN.com | date=2024-03-11 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39704677/source-bears-planning-new-stadium-south-soldier-field | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=April 21, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421135352/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39704677/source-bears-planning-new-stadium-south-soldier-field | url-status=live }}</ref> The team revealed plans for a $4.7 billion domed lakefront stadium development.<ref name="a123">{{cite web | last1=Spielman | first1=Fran | last2=Armentrout | first2=Mitchell | last3=Sfondeles | first3=Tina | title=Bears to unveil plans for 'state-of-the-art' lakefront stadium ahead of NFL draft | website=Chicago Sun-Times | date=2024-04-25 | url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2024/04/23/bears-new-stadium-dome-lakefront-soldier-field | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=May 31, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531110818/https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2024/04/23/bears-new-stadium-dome-lakefront-soldier-field | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chicago's Lakefront Legacy Experience The Vision|url=https://stadium.chicagobears.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512131938/https://stadium.chicagobears.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2024-05-12|website=Chicagobears.com}}</ref> Due to a lack of public funding, the Bears informed Chicago mayor [[Brandon Johnson]] that they intend to prioritize the Arlington Heights property as the site of their new stadium in May 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last=Castillo |first=Gabriel |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/bears-tell-mayor-johnson-intend-180328314.html |title=Bears tell Mayor Johnson they intend to build in Arlington Heights |work=Yahoo! |date=May 16, 2025 |access-date=May 16, 2025 }}</ref>

===Training camp locations===
From its inception until 1930 the Staleys/Bears conducted their summer training camp in their home stadiums: [[Staley Field]] ([[Decatur, Illinois]]) and later [[Wrigley Field|Cubs' Park]] ([[Chicago]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/trainingcamps.html|title=NFL training camp Sites|work=Pro Football Archives|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=October 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040029/https://www.profootballarchives.com/trainingcamps.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  In 1930 they first moved to [[Mills Stadium]] in Chicago and from 1931 to 1934 to [[Loyola University Chicago]], [[Logan Square, Chicago|Logan Square Baseball Park]], [[Notre Dame University]] and [[Lane Tech College Prep High School]], respectively.<ref name="c170">{{cite web | last=Walker | first=Rhiannon | title=Flashback: Bears first training camp away from Chicago? Notre Dame | website=Chicago Tribune | date=2015-07-24 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/07/24/flashback-bears-first-training-camp-away-from-chicago-notre-dame/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=April 3, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403155201/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/07/24/flashback-bears-first-training-camp-away-from-chicago-notre-dame/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 1935 they began to conduct training camps at a prominent location, when they started practicing at [[St. John's Northwestern Military Academy]] ([[Delafield, Wisconsin]]) for a decade.<ref name="training camps"/>

In 1944 they moved to [[Saint Joseph's College (Indiana)|St. Joseph's College]] in [[Rensselaer, Indiana]] and stayed there for 30 years. This location was the place of the famous automobile accident on July 27, [[1964 Chicago Bears season|1964]] that killed Bears players [[Willie Galimore]] and [[Bo Farrington]], after Galimore's [[Volkswagen Beetle|Volkswagen]] left the road on a curve and rolled, a few miles from the team's training camp.<ref name="gfkiac">{{Cite news |date=July 27, 1964 |title=Galimore, Farrington killed in auto crash |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TsAhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=35wFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5213%2C5606806 |work=Reading Eagle |location=(Pennsylvania) |via=Google News |page=19 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040029/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TsAhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=35wFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5213,5606806 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 27, 1964 |title=Bears' Galimore, Farrington killed |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=J_hYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TvcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2378%2C4832466 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |page=8 |via=Google News |agency=UPI |access-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040031/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=J_hYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TvcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2378,4832466 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="bthcv">{{Cite news |date=July 28, 1964 |title=Bears to honor crash victims |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T8AhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=35wFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4399%2C5941302 |work=Reading Eagle |location=(Pennsylvania) |page=19 |agency=Associated Press |via=Google News |access-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040030/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T8AhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=35wFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4399,5941302 |url-status=live }}</ref>

From 1975 to 1984 they conducted their summer training camp in [[Lake Forest College]], at the original [[Halas Hall]] (the practice and front office facility for the Bears from 1977 until 1997).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-09-28-9709280230-story.html|title=COLLEGE FEELS LOSS OF BEARS|work=Chicago Tribune|date=September 28, 1997|access-date=September 22, 2023|archive-date=October 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007040031/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-09-28-9709280230-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The practice field was later renamed Farwell Field and serves as the main field for [[Lake Forest Foresters football|Foresters football]] and soccer.

From 1984 to 2001, the Bears held pre-season training camp in [[Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium]] at [[University of Wisconsin–Platteville]]. They were considered a member of the "Cheese League" that in 1999 consisted of the [[Green Bay Packers]], [[New Orleans Saints]] and [[Kansas City Chiefs]], with each team practicing at a different university in Wisconsin.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120912075532/http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/20026 "Bears ponder migration from Wisconsin,"] ''Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal''</ref> In 2001, the [[Illinois General Assembly]] asked the Bears to move to an Illinois practice facility in order to raise funds for remodeling [[Soldier Field]]. Before the Bears left, they donated $250,000 to UW–Platteville for a new computer lab, which was named "The Bears Den".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wkow.com/story/13866043/plateville|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424200645/http://www.wkow.com/story/13866043/plateville|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 24, 2014|title=UW-Platteville reflects on Bears training camps|access-date=November 13, 2016}}</ref> On [[Tornado outbreak of June 16–18, 2014|June 16, 2014]], the stadium was damaged by a [[tornado]] and the Bears donated $50,000 to the school relief fund.<ref name="donation">{{cite web|last1=Erickson|first1=Paul|title=Chicago Bears to donate $50,000 to tornado relief|url=https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/chicago-bears-donate-50000-tornado-relief|website=University of Wisconsin-Platteville|accessdate=April 11, 2016|date=July 10, 2014|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505125438/https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/chicago-bears-donate-50000-tornado-relief|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 2002 to 2019, the Bears held their summer training camp at [[Olivet Nazarene University]] in [[Bourbonnais, IL|Bourbonnais]]. Although the Bears had an agreement to continue practicing there through 2022,<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-ONU-reach-nine-year-agreement/8dd0ee74-ad98-4777-8128-e29f2bdfc00a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816064145/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-ONU-reach-nine-year-agreement/8dd0ee74-ad98-4777-8128-e29f2bdfc00a|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 16, 2013|title=Bears, ONU reach nine-year agreement (Archive)|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=August 12, 2013|access-date=August 12, 2013}}</ref> they moved the camp permanently into the recently renovated Halas Hall in 2020.<ref name="MayerJan2020"/>
[[File:Halas-hall-bears-2014.jpg|thumb|[[Halas Hall]] in [[Lake Forest, Illinois]], is the Bears' headquarters.]]

===Headquarters===
{{Main|Halas Hall}}
The team headquarters, Halas Hall, named after founder [[George Halas]], is in the Chicago suburb of [[Lake Forest, Illinois]]. The Bears practice at adjoining facilities during the season. The location is {{convert|4|mi}} west of the original Halas Hall which had opened in 1977, and it was named after [[George Halas Jr.]], who died unexpectedly in 1979. It was located at [[Lake Forest College]] and contained 2 practice fields (one regulation-size outdoor field as well as a 70-yard practice field) and front office facilities,<ref>The Official Website of the Chicago Bears, [http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/history_90s.asp Highlights from the 1990s] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920081541/http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/history_90s.asp |date=September 20, 2008 }}, chicagobears.com, Retrieved on July 26, 2007.</ref> which is used by the [[Lake Forest Foresters football|Foresters Athletics Department]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Halas Hall|url=https://www.lakeforest.edu/about/ourcampus/tour/halas.php|publisher=lakeforest.edu|access-date=January 8, 2024|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052830/https://www.lakeforest.edu/about/ourcampus/tour/halas.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 38-acre complex opened on March 3, 1997, and was expanded in 2013 and 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/halas-hall-before-after-12698062#bd0d2af4-3e9a-4ced-ae3e-b9ecbbd5def2|title=Halas Hall before & after|work=ChicagoBears.com|access-date=January 8, 2024|archive-date=October 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014005735/https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/halas-hall-before-after-12698062#bd0d2af4-3e9a-4ced-ae3e-b9ecbbd5def2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="u926">{{cite web | last=Jahns | first=Adam | title=Feeling at home: What the Bears see | website=New York Times | date=2019-08-29 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1170142/2019/08/29/feeling-at-home-what-the-bears-see-and-feel-in-their-new-meeting-rooms-at-halas-hall/ | access-date=2024-08-21 | archive-date=August 21, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821201021/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1170142/2019/08/29/feeling-at-home-what-the-bears-see-and-feel-in-their-new-meeting-rooms-at-halas-hall/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

The team also has a {{convert|11,000|sqft|m2}} corporate office in [[Chicago Loop|downtown Chicago]], located at 123 N. Wacker Dr,<ref name="x766">{{cite web | title=Chicago Bears complete downtown office at 123 N. Wacker | website=Chicago Bears | date=2018-09-28 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/chicago-bears-complete-downtown-office-at-123-n-wacker | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=January 8, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108193528/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/chicago-bears-complete-downtown-office-at-123-n-wacker | url-status=live }}</ref> for sales, corporate partnerships and events  departments employees.<ref name="p326">{{cite web | last=Ori | first=Ryan | title=Bear market: NFL team's new downtown Chicago office takes work to 'a whole different level' | website=Chicago Tribune | date=2018-09-25 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/09/25/bear-market-nfl-teams-new-downtown-chicago-office-takes-work-to-a-whole-different-level/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826182748/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/09/25/bear-market-nfl-teams-new-downtown-chicago-office-takes-work-to-a-whole-different-level/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
[[File:Cna gobears.jpg|thumb|right|The [[333 South Wabash|CNA Center]] in Chicago flashes a "GO BEARS" window display before a Bears [[NBC Sunday Night Football|Sunday Night Football]] game in 2006.]]
While the Super Bowl XX champion Bears were a fixture of mainstream American pop culture in the 1980s, the Bears made a prior mark with the 1971 American TV movie ''[[Brian's Song]]'' starring [[Billy Dee Williams]] as Gale Sayers and [[James Caan (actor)|James Caan]] as Brian Piccolo.<ref name="m379">{{cite web | last=McNamara | first=Mary | title=Column: Gale Sayers and 'Brian's Song' changed sports movies, and male friendship, forever | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2020-09-24 | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-09-24/gale-sayers-dead-brians-song-sports-movies-male-friendship | access-date=2024-08-21 | archive-date=August 21, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821200842/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-09-24/gale-sayers-dead-brians-song-sports-movies-male-friendship | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="w883">{{cite news | last=Von Drehle | first=David| title=RIP James Caan, who taught millions of American males how to cry | newspaper=Washington Post | date=2022-07-08 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/07/08/james-caan-brians-song-brian-piccolo-death/ | access-date=2024-08-21}}</ref> The film told of how Piccolo helped Sayers recover from a devastating knee injury to return to his status as one of the league's best players, and how Sayers in turn helped the Piccolo family through Brian's fatal illness.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brian's Song (1971)|work=IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068315/|access-date=July 14, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060721114844/http://imdb.com/title/tt0068315/|archive-date=July 21, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Reel Life: Brian's Song|work=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/closer/021004.html|access-date=July 14, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060508193428/http://espn.go.com/page2/s/closer/021004.html|archive-date=May 8, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[Brian's Song (2001 film)|2001 remake]] of the movie for ABC starred [[Sean Maher]] as Piccolo and [[Mekhi Phifer]] as Sayers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brian's Song (2001)|work=IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289873/|access-date=July 14, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061224152145/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289873/|archive-date=December 24, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 1985 team is also remembered for recording the song "[[The Super Bowl Shuffle]]", which reached number forty-one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and was nominated for a [[Grammy Award]].<ref>{{cite web|title=These records were meant to be broken|work=Floridan|url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/012801/news_pf/Floridian/These_records_were_ma.shtml|access-date=January 28, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003224710/http://www.sptimes.com/News/012801/news_pf/Floridian/These_records_were_ma.shtml|archive-date=October 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The music video for the song depicts the team [[rapping]] that they are "not here to start no trouble" but instead "just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle". The team took a risk by recording and releasing the song before the playoffs had even begun, but were able to avoid embarrassment by going on to win Super Bowl XX by a then-record margin of 46–10. That game was one of the most-watched television events in history according to the [[Nielsen ratings]] system; the game had a rating of 48.3, ranking it seventh in all-time television history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nielsen's Top 10 |work=Nielsen Ratings |url=http://www.nielsenmedia.com/ratings/topnetworktelecasts.htm |access-date=July 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614223609/http://www.nielsenmedia.com/ratings/topnetworktelecasts.htm |archive-date=June 14, 2006 }}</ref>

In addition to the "Super Bowl Shuffle"<ref>{{cite web|title=Remembering the Super Bowl Shuffle |work=ESPN |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3/story?page=katcher/040825 |access-date=August 1, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609095526/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3/story?page=katcher%2F040825 |archive-date=June 9, 2012 }}</ref> rap song, the Bears' success in the 1980s – and especially the personality of head coach Mike Ditka – inspired a recurring sketch on the [[Television in the United States|American]] [[sketch comedy]] [[Television program|program]] ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', called "[[Bill Swerski's Superfans]]". The sketch featured ''[[Cheers]]'' co-star [[George Wendt]], a Chicago native, as host of a radio talk-show (similar in tone to [[WGN (AM)|WGN radio]]'s "The Sportswriters"), with co-panelists Carl Wollarski ([[Robert Smigel]]), Pat Arnold ([[Mike Myers]]) and Todd O'Connor ([[Chris Farley]]). To hear them tell it, "Da Bears" and Coach Ditka could do no wrong. The sketch stopped after Ditka was fired in 1993. The sketch usually showed the panelists chugging beer and eating lots of [[Polish sausage]], and often featured Todd getting so agitated about what was happening with the Bears that he suffered a heart attack, but quickly recovered (through self-administered [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation|CPR]]). The sketch also features the cast predicting unrealistic blowout victories for Bears games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill Swerski's Super Fans|work=SNL Transcripts|url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/90/90jsuperfans.phtml|access-date=July 14, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619072715/http://snltranscripts.jt.org/90/90jsuperfans.phtml|archive-date=June 19, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> Da Super Fan sketch has not been brought back by ''SNL'', with the exception of a single appearance by [[Horatio Sanz]] as a Super Fan for the Cubs on "[[Weekend Update]]" in 2003. Outside of ''SNL'', George Wendt reprised his role of Swerski in the opening promo of [[Super Bowl XL]] on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].

On TV shows based in Chicago such as ''[[The Bob Newhart Show]]'', ''[[Married... with Children]]'', ''[[Family Matters]]'', ''[[Still Standing (American TV series)|Still Standing]]'', ''[[According to Jim]]'', ''[[Early Edition]]'' and ''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]'', the main characters are all Bears fans, and have worn Bears' jerseys and T-shirts on some occasions. Some episodes even show them watching Bears games. ''[[Roseanne (TV series)|Roseanne]]'' is another TV show based in Illinois (albeit not in Chicago itself) to feature the Bears as the consensus household favorite, as 'Dan Connor' [[John Goodman]] is seen wearing Bears hats in several episodes. ''[[That '70s Show]]'' featured several Bears references, as it was based in Wisconsin, home of the Packers. On one episode while the gang is at a Bears vs. Packers game, Eric comes to the seat in a Walter Payton jersey and is booed by the surrounding Packers fans. In an episode of the [[Disney Channel]] show ''[[Shake It Up (U.S. TV series)|Shake It Up]]'', based in Chicago, recurring character Dina Garcia (Ainsley Bailey) sold [[Ticket resale|scalped]] Chicago Bears tickets. More recently, ''[[Modern Family]]'' character [[Cameron Tucker (Modern Family)|Cameron Tucker]] has been shown as a Bears fan. In an episode of the Disney Channel show "[[I Didn't Do It (TV series)|I Didn't Do It]]", based in Chicago, Lindy Watson (Olivia Holt) and Logan Watson (Austin North) try to get a football signed by NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus after destroying their fathers Butkus signed ball, [[Alshon Jeffery]] also makes a cameo appearance as well.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://clutchpoints.com/exclusive-working-with-dick-butkus-actor | title=EXCLUSIVE: Working with Dick Butkus, the actor | date=October 6, 2023 | access-date=January 20, 2024 | archive-date=January 20, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120035600/https://clutchpoints.com/exclusive-working-with-dick-butkus-actor | url-status=live }}</ref>

Ditka's success and popularity in Chicago has led him to land analyst roles on various American football pregame shows. Ditka worked for both the ''[[NFL on NBC]]'' and CBS's ''[[The NFL Today]]'', and he currently works on ESPN's ''[[Sunday NFL Countdown]]'' and provided Friday night analysis on the Bears on [[WBBM-TV]]'s ''2 on Football'' with former WBBM-TV sports director [[Mark Malone]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ditka joins CBS2 |work=WBBM-TV |url=http://cbs2chicago.com/pressreleases/local_story_197002133.html |access-date=July 14, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214041157/http://cbs2chicago.com/pressreleases/local_story_197002133.html |archive-date=February 14, 2007 }}</ref> He is also the color analyst for all local broadcasts of Bears preseason games. Ditka also co-starred himself alongside actor [[Will Ferrell]] in the 2005 [[comedy film]] ''[[Kicking & Screaming (2005 film)|Kicking & Screaming]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kicking and Screaming (2005)|work=IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384642/|access-date=April 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309060542/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384642/|archive-date=March 9, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

Also, Ditka, [[Dick Butkus]], [[Walter Payton]], [[Jim McMahon]], [[William Perry (American football)|William "Refrigerator" Perry]] and [[Brian Urlacher]] are among Bears figures known for their appearances in TV commercials. Urlacher, whose jersey was among the league's best-selling in 2002, was featured on [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] commercials with former [[Atlanta Falcons]] quarterback [[Michael Vick]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Urlacher's not going anywhere|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bears/2003-06-04-urlacher_x.htm|access-date=June 3, 2003|date=June 4, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227042454/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bears/2003-06-04-urlacher_x.htm|archive-date=February 27, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A Different Campaign for Nike |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/24/business/media/24adco.html?ex=1392958800&en=7886de57c2852995&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND |access-date=February 24, 2004 |first=Stuart |last=Elliott |date=February 24, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050419112628/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/24/business/media/24adco.html?ex=1392958800&en=7886de57c2852995&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND |archive-date=April 19, 2005 }}</ref>

In the 1961 [[Hanna-Barbera]] animated short "Rah Rah Bear", [[Yogi Bear]] helps the Bears beat the [[New York Giants]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llBRDZjUlsU|title=YouTube Video|website=[[YouTube]]|access-date=March 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017180947/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llBRDZjUlsU|archive-date=October 17, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Bears were later depicted in an episode of the 1985 [[It's Punky Brewster|cartoon version]] of the NBC sitcom ''[[Punky Brewster]]'', where the Bears are playing the [[Green Bay Packers]].<ref>{{cite web|title=It's Punky Brewster|website=[[IMDb]]|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1244308/|access-date=<!--  September 2009-->|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210133746/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1244308/|archive-date=February 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB5SMrPM0Rw|title=YouTube Video|website=[[YouTube]]|date=December 16, 2009 |access-date=December 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521213117/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB5SMrPM0Rw|archive-date=May 21, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Clark Griswold]] ([[Chevy Chase]]) from the ''[[National Lampoon's Vacation (film series)|National Lampoon's Vacation series]]'' appears in some scenes wearing a navy blue with burnt orange scripting Chicago Bears ball cap. He wears the same Chicago Bears cap throughout all four ''Vacation'' movies.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085995/trivia?tr0947526 "Vacation (1983) – Trivia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320191025/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085995/trivia?tr0947526 |date=March 20, 2016 }} IMDb.com</ref>

==Broadcast media==
===Radio===
[[File:Chicago Bears radio affiliates.png|thumb|right|Map of radio affiliates by tower location, thus WBBM's location in the western suburbs of Chicago]]
Currently, [[WMVP]] (1000 AM) broadcast Bears games with Jeff Joniak doing the play-by-play, along with color commentator Tom Thayer, who played for the Bears from 1985 to 1992.<ref name="c257">{{cite web | last=Rosenthal | first=Phil | title=Jeff Joniak's path to becoming the Bears radio announcer was, well, ridiculous | website=Chicago Tribune | date=2019-10-19 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/10/19/jeff-joniaks-path-to-becoming-the-bears-radio-announcer-was-well-ridiculous/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826182543/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/10/19/jeff-joniaks-path-to-becoming-the-bears-radio-announcer-was-well-ridiculous/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="w088">{{cite web | last=Agrest | first=Jeff | title=Sports media: Tom Thayer colors Bears' radio broadcasts by immersing himself in the team | website=Chicago Sun-Times | date=2019-07-25 | url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/7/25/8930268/sports-media-tom-thayer-chicago-bears-radio-broadcasts-jeff-joniak-wmaq-wgn-wbbm | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826182634/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/7/25/8930268/sports-media-tom-thayer-chicago-bears-radio-broadcasts-jeff-joniak-wmaq-wgn-wbbm | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Roy|url=http://www.bearshistory.com/seasons/1985chicagobears.aspx|title=1985 Chicago Bears|publisher=Bearshistory.com|access-date=December 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104020759/http://www.bearshistory.com/seasons/1985chicagobears.aspx|archive-date=January 4, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Over the years, many Bears play-by-play broadcasters have included play-by-play announcers [[Jack Brickhouse]], [[Joe McConnell]] and [[Wayne Larrivee]], and color commentators Hub Arkush, Dick Butkus, [[Jim Hart (American football)|Jim Hart]] and [[Irv Kupcinet]].

Spanish radio station [[WLEY-FM]] aired the Bears games from 2012 to 2014. Since 2015, [[WRTO (AM)|WRTO]] and [[WVIV-FM]] air Bears games in Spanish.<ref name="e374">{{cite web | title=Bears announce deal with Univision | website=Chicago Bears | date=2015-07-27 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-announce-deal-with-univision-15527144#:~:text=2015%20NFL%20season.-,WVIV%2DFM%20Latino%20Mix%2093.5%2F103.1FM%20and%20WRTO%2D,television%20sports%20show%2C%20Acci%C3%B3n%20Deportiva. | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826182515/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-announce-deal-with-univision-15527144#:~:text=2015%20NFL%20season.-,WVIV%2DFM%20Latino%20Mix%2093.5%2F103.1FM%20and%20WRTO%2D,television%20sports%20show%2C%20Acci%C3%B3n%20Deportiva. | url-status=live }}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
! colspan="3" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|'''Chicago Bears Network Radio affiliates'''
|-
! style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Market
! style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Station
! style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Notes
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[Chicago]]
| [[WMVP]] (1000 AM)
| All games<br />''Bears Insider''<br />''Bears All-Access''
|-
| [[WRTO (AM)|WRTO]] (1200 AM) / [[WVIV-FM]] (93.5 FM)
| All games (in Spanish)
|-
|}

===Television===
Preseason games air on [[WFLD]] (channel 32).<ref name="t348">{{cite web | last=Kwiecinski | first=Chris | title=WATCH LIVE: Chicago Bears vs. Cincinnati Bengals NFL Preseason game | publisher=FOX 32 Chicago | date=2024-08-17 | url=https://www.fox32chicago.com/sports/chicago-bears-vs-cincinnati-bengals-stream-nfl-preseason-game-watch-live | access-date=2024-08-21 | archive-date=August 21, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821200732/https://www.fox32chicago.com/sports/chicago-bears-vs-cincinnati-bengals-stream-nfl-preseason-game-watch-live | url-status=live }}</ref> The announcers are [[Adam Amin]] (play-by-play), [[Jim Miller (quarterback)|Jim Miller]] (color commentary) and Lou Canellis (sideline reporter). WFLD also carries the majority of the team's regular season games through the ''[[NFL on Fox]]''. Any Bears home games against AFC teams are aired on the CBS O&O station, [[WBBM-TV]], which was the Bears' unofficial "home" station from 1956 until Fox won the NFC rights in 1995. Sunday Night games are broadcast on [[WMAQ-TV]], the NBC O&O station, with ''[[ESPN Monday Night Football]]'' games airing either on [[ESPN]] or [[WLS-TV]], the ABC affiliate.

{|class="wikitable"
! colspan="3" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|'''Chicago Bears Network Television affiliates'''
|-
! style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Market
! style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Station
! style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Notes
|-
| Regional cable
| [[Marquee Sports Network]]
| ''Bear Essentials''<br />''Bears Den''<br />''The Official Bears Postgame Live''
|-
| [[Chicago]]
| WFLD
| Preseason and Fox regional/national games<br />''Bears Gameday Live''<br />''Bears Gamenight Live''
|-
| [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]]
| [[KFXA]]
| Preseason and Fox regional/national games
|-
| [[Champaign, Illinois|Champaign]]–[[Urbana, Illinois|Urbana]]
| [[WCCU (TV)|WCCU]]
| Preseason and Fox regional/national games
|-
| [[Peoria, Illinois|Peoria]]
| [[WMBD-TV]]
| Preseason and CBS regional/national games
|-
| [[Quad Cities]]
| [[KLJB]]
| Preseason and Fox regional/national games
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Rockford, Illinois|Rockford]]
| [[WIFR]]
| Preseason and CBS regional/national games
|-
| [[WQRF]]
| Preseason and Fox regional/national games
|-
| [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]]
| [[WRSP-TV]]
| Preseason and Fox regional/national games
|-
| [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend]]
| [[WSBT-TV]]
| Preseason and CBS regional/national games
|}

==Statistics and records==
[[Patrick Mannelly]] holds the record for the most seasons in a Bears uniform with 16.<ref name="records">{{cite web |title=Chicago Bears Team Records |publisher=Chicago Bears |url=http://org-www.chicagobears.com/history/records.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813223835/http://org-www.chicagobears.com/history/records.jsp |archive-date=August 13, 2006 |access-date=August 1, 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On the other hand, [[Steve McMichael]] holds the record for most consecutive games played by a Bear with 191;<ref name="records" /> he accomplished the feat from 1981 to 1993. In second place is Payton, who played 186 games from 1975 to 1987 at running back, a position considered to be conducive to injury, only missing one game in a span of 13 seasons.

Kicker [[Robbie Gould]] became the Bears' all-time scoring leader in Week 5 of 2015 season<ref>{{cite web|last=Wagner-McGough|first=Sean|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25335908/kicker-robbie-gould-now-holds-bears-franchise-record-for-points-scored|title=Kicker Robbie Gould now holds Bears franchise record for points scored|publisher=[[CBSSports.com]]|date=October 11, 2015|access-date=October 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119151820/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25335908/kicker-robbie-gould-now-holds-bears-franchise-record-for-points-scored|archive-date=November 19, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> overtaking [[placekicker]] [[Kevin Butler (American football)|Kevin Butler]] who previously held the club record<ref name="records" /> for scoring the most points in his ten-year Bear career. He scored 1,116 points as the Bears kicker from 1985 to 1995. He is followed by running back [[Walter Payton]], with 750 points. Payton holds the team record for career rushing yards with 16,726.<ref name="records" /> That was an NFL record until [[Emmitt Smith]] of the [[Dallas Cowboys]] broke it in {{nfly|2002}}. Former Bears running back [[Matt Forte]], who started playing for the Bears in 2008, is the closest to Payton's record with 6,985 yards. Forte also holds the team's single season record for rookies in rushing attempts, rushing yards and receptions. [[Mark Bortz]] holds the record for most Bear playoff appearances, with 13 between 1983 and 1994, and is followed by Kevin Butler, [[Dennis Gentry]], [[Dan Hampton]], [[Jay Hilgenberg]], Steve McMichael, [[Ron Rivera]], [[Mike Singletary]], and [[Keith Van Horne]], who have each played in 12 playoff games.

The 1940 Chicago Bears team holds the record for the biggest margin of victory in an NFL game, including both [[NFL playoffs|playoff]] and regular season games, with a 73–0 victory over the [[Washington Redskins]] in the [[1940 NFL Championship Game]].<ref name="c857">{{cite web | title=Bears beat Redskins 73‑0 in NFL Championship game | website=HISTORY | date=2009-11-16 | url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bears-beat-redskins-73-0-in-nfl-championship-game | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=January 15, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115184927/https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bears-beat-redskins-73-0-in-nfl-championship-game | url-status=live }}</ref> The largest home victory for the Bears came in a 61–7 result against the [[Green Bay Packers]] in 1980. The largest defeat in club history was a 52–0 loss against the Baltimore Colts in 1964. The club recorded undefeated regular seasons in 1934 and 1942; unlike the 1972 [[Miami Dolphins]], however, they did not win the championship game in either season. In 1934, the club completed a 13–0 record but were defeated by the [[New York Giants]], and in 1942 the club completed an 11–0 record but were defeated by the Redskins. Had the Bears won either championship, the club would have completed a championship three-peat – a feat completed only by the Packers (twice), although no team has done it since the AFL-NFL merger.<ref>{{cite web|title=NFL History|work=NFL.com|url=http://www.nfl.com/history/standings|access-date=August 1, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061225165438/http://www.nfl.com/history/standings/|archive-date=December 25, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> Halas holds the team record for coaching the most seasons with 40 and for having the most career victories of 324. Halas' victories record stood until [[Don Shula]] surpassed Halas in {{nfly|1993}}. Ditka is the closest Bears coach to Halas, with 112 career victories. No other Bears coach has recorded over 100 victories with the team.<ref name="records" />

During the [[2006 Chicago Bears season|2006 season]], return specialist [[Devin Hester]] set several kick return records. He currently holds the franchise record for most return yards with 2,261.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears Career Kick & Punt Returns Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/career-returns.htm |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826174454/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/career-returns.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He had six touchdown returns, setting a record for most returns in a single season.<ref name="Hester-SB">Super Bowl.com,{{cite web|url=http://superbowl.com/news/story/9968501 |title=Hester is Chicago's not-so-secret weapon |access-date=January 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401212655/http://superbowl.com/news/story/9968501 |archive-date=April 1, 2007}} Retrieved on February 28, 2007</ref> In 2007, he recorded another six touchdown season from returns. One of the most notable of these returns came on November 12, 2006, when he returned a missed field goal for a 108-yard touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2006 |title=Hester's record return pushes Bears past sleeping Giants |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=261112019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026063626/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=261112019 |archive-date=2012-10-26 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The record tied former teammate [[Nathan Vasher]]'s previous record, which was set almost a year earlier.<ref>ESPN.com Page 2, [https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=nfl/week10/damn-moment The Damn! Moment of Week 10] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406005422/https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=nfl/week10/damn-moment |date=April 6, 2023 }}  Retrieved on March 11, 2007</ref> Hester set a Super Bowl record as the first player to return an opening kick of a Super Bowl for a touchdown.<ref>Yahoo! Sports, [https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20070204003 Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104215229/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20070204003 |date=January 4, 2014 }} Retrieved on February 5, 2007</ref> On December 20, 2010, Hester set an NFL record for most touchdowns on a punt or kickoff return with his 14th career return coming against the Minnesota Vikings. In 2011, Hester broke the record for the most punt returns against the [[Carolina Panthers]].

In 2012, [[Charles Tillman]] set the record for most forced fumbles in a single game with four against the [[Tennessee Titans]].<ref name="f599">{{cite web | last=Sugrue | first=Brendan | title=Throwback Thursday: Charles Tillman and the Bears knock out Titans in 2012 | website=Bears Wire | publisher=USA Today | date=2020-11-05 | url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/05/chicago-bears-throwback-thursday-charles-tillman-forced-fumbles-beats-tennessee-titans/ | access-date=2024-08-26 | archive-date=August 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826174605/https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/05/chicago-bears-throwback-thursday-charles-tillman-forced-fumbles-beats-tennessee-titans/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Against the Titans, Chicago became the first team in league history to score a touchdown pass, a touchdown run, an interception return for a touchdown, and a blocked kick/punt for a score in the same quarter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chicago-bears-win-big-gain-steam-in-nfc-playoff-race-0ap1000000089598|title=Chicago Bears win big, gain steam in NFC playoff race|work=[[National Football League]]|date=November 4, 2012|access-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106090601/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000089598/article/chicago-bears-win-big-gain-steam-in-nfc-playoff-race|archive-date=November 6, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Tillman and teammate [[Lance Briggs]] became the first pair in NFL history to return an interception for a touchdown in consecutive games against the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]] and Dallas Cowboys.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jensen |first=Sean |url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2012/10/charles_tillman_and_lance_brig.html |title=Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs enter NFL history books together |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=October 8, 2012 |access-date=October 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015002843/http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2012/10/charles_tillman_and_lance_brig.html |archive-date=October 15, 2012 }}</ref>

===Season-by-season results===
{{Main|List of Chicago Bears seasons}}
This is a partial list of the Bears' last five completed seasons. For the full season-by-season franchise results, see [[List of Chicago Bears seasons]].<ref name="x512">{{cite web | title=Chicago Bears Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/index.htm | access-date=2024-08-21}}</ref>

'''''Note:''' The Finish, Wins, Losses, and Ties columns list regular season results and exclude any postseason play.''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="background:#fcc;"|<small>'''[[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champions]]''' (1970–present)</small>
| style="background:#dfd;"|<small>'''Conference champions'''</small>
| style="background:#d0e7ff;"|<small>'''Division champions'''</small>
| style="background:#96cdcd;"|<small>'''Wild Card berth'''</small>
|}

<small>As of January 28, 2025</small>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Season
! rowspan="2" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Team
! rowspan="2" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|League
! rowspan="2" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Conference
! rowspan="2" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Division
! colspan="4" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Regular season
! rowspan="2" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Postseason results
! rowspan="2" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Awards
|-
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Finish
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Wins
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Losses
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Ties
|- style="background:#96cdcd;"
! {{NFL Year|2020}} || [[2020 Chicago Bears season|2020]]
| NFL || NFC || North || 2nd || 8 || 8 || 0 || <small>'''Lost to [[New Orleans Saints]] in [[2020–21 NFL playoffs|NFC Wild Card Game]].'''</small> || —
|-
! {{NFL Year|2021}} || [[2021 Chicago Bears season|2021]]
| NFL || NFC || North || 3rd || 6 || 11 || 0 || — || —
|-
! {{NFL Year|2022}} || [[2022 Chicago Bears season|2022]]
| NFL || NFC || North || 4th || 3 || 14 || 0 || — || —
|-
! {{NFL Year|2023}} || [[2023 Chicago Bears season|2023]]
| NFL || NFC || North || 4th || 7 || 10 || 0 || — || —
|-
! {{NFL Year|2024}} || [[2024 Chicago Bears season|2024]]
| NFL || NFC || North || 4th || 5 || 12 || 0 || — || —
|}

===Records===
{{Main|List of Chicago Bears team records}}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:left"
! colspan="4" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|All-time Bears leaders
|-
! style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Leader || style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Player || style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Record || style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears}};"|Years with Bears
|-
| Passing || [[Jay Cutler]] || 23,443 passing yards<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears Career Passing Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/career-passing.htm |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> || 2009–2016
|-
| Rushing || [[Walter Payton]] || 16,726 rushing yards<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears Career Rushing Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/career-rushing.htm |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> || 1975–1987
|-
| Receiving || [[Johnny Morris (American football)|Johnny Morris]] || 5,059 receiving yards<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears Career Receiving Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/career-receiving.htm |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> || 1958–1967
|-
| Points || [[Robbie Gould]] || 1,142 points<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears Career Scoring Summary Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/career-scoring.htm |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> || 2005–2015
|-
| Coaching Wins || [[George Halas]] || 318 wins<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears Coaches |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/coaches.htm |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> || 1920–1929, 1933–1942<br />1946–1955, 1958–1967
|}

==Players of note==
{{further|List of Chicago Bears players}}

===Current roster===
{{Chicago Bears roster}}

===Pro Football Hall of Famers===
{{Main|List of Chicago Bears in the Pro Football Hall of Fame}}
In the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], the Bears have the most enshrined primary members with 32;<ref name="e312">{{cite web | last=Rumore | first=Kori | title=From Halas to Hester: The 32 Chicago Bears inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame | website=Chicago Tribune | date=2024-08-05 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/08/05/from-halas-to-covert-the-30-chicago-bears-inducted-into-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame/ | access-date=2024-08-26}}</ref> the club also has had nine Hall of Famers spend a minor portion of their career with the franchise.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hall of Famers by Team|work=Pro Football Hall of Fame|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/teams.jsp|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425201319/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/teams.jsp|archive-date=April 25, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Founder, owner, head coach, and player George Halas, [[halfback (American football)|halfback]] [[Bronko Nagurski]], and [[Red Grange]] were a part of the original class of inductees in 1963. The franchise saw 14 individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame from 1963 to 1967. The most recent Bears to be inducted were [[Devin Hester]] and [[Steve McMichael]] in 2024 (primary contributors) and [[Jared Allen]] (minor contributor) in 2025.

In addition, [[Ray Bray]] was enshrined in [[Helms Athletic Foundation#Pro Football Hall of Fame|Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame]], which was established in 1950 and preceded the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He's the only Bears member from the [[Helms Athletic Foundation]] hall to not be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

===Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame===
{{Main|Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame}}
The [[Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame]] was founded in 1979 and honors sports greats associated with the [[Chicago metropolitan area]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Illinois Adventure |url=http://www.illinoisadventuretv.org/index.asp?page%3Dst%26site%3D1104 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716143927/http://www.illinoisadventuretv.org/index.asp?page=st&site=1104 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=December 2, 2008 |website=Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame}}</ref> As of 2023, there are 59 honorees enshrined in the hall with connection to the Bears.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chicagolandsportshalloffame.com/hall-of-famers/|title=Hall of Famers|work=Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame}}</ref>

===Retired numbers===
The Bears have retired 14 uniform numbers, which is the most in the NFL, and ranks fourth behind the basketball [[Boston Celtics]] ([[List of Boston Celtics accomplishments and records|23]]), baseball [[New York Yankees]] (21), and hockey [[Montreal Canadiens]] (15) for the most in [[major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada]].<ref name="t585">{{cite web | title=From Nagurski to Ditka: Here are the Bears' Retired Jersey Numbers | website=NBC Chicago | date=2019-08-23 | url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-bears-retired-numbers-bronko-nagurski-mike-ditka/126840/ | access-date=2024-08-21}}</ref> The Bears retired [[Mike Ditka]]'s number 89 jersey on December 9, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mayer|first=Larry|title=Bears to retire Mike Ditka's number|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-to-retire-mike-ditka-s-number-12072210|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=December 7, 2013|access-date=January 24, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=January 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130103552/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-to-retire-mike-ditka-s-number-12072210}}</ref> It is the last number that the Bears retired.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Biggs |first=Brad |date=May 24, 2013 |title=Ditka's 89 final number Bears will retire |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/05/24/ditkas-89-final-number-bears-will-retire/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>

{{Chicago Bears retired numbers}}

===Top 100 greatest Bears of all-time===
In honor of the team's centennial anniversary, on May 20, 2019, the Chicago Bears unveiled the Top 100 players in franchise history, as voted on by Hall of Fame writers Don Pierson and Dan Pompei, two of the most famous journalists that have ever covered the club in their long history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=May 23, 2019 |title=Ranking best Bears of all time |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/ranking-best-bears-of-all-time-nos-1-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727215421/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/ranking-best-bears-of-all-time-nos-1-25 |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> At the time of the publish, the list included 27 Pro Football Hall of Famers, while two more inductees would join in the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame#2020 Centennial Slate|2020 Centennial class]] ([[Jim Covert]] and [[Ed Sprinkle]]).

Among the 100 Greatest, four active players made the list, including safety [[Eddie Jackson (safety)|Eddie Jackson]] (96), defensive lineman [[Akiem Hicks]] (75), offensive lineman [[Kyle Long]] (74) and [[Khalil Mack]] (60), who had only played only one season with the team at the time of the unveiling of the list. Long would retire the following year.

On a later date, Chicagobears.com released a list titled "Top 10: Best of the rest" that featured the "top 10 snubs" from the centennial list. The players include (in a following order): [[Alex Brown (defensive end)|Alex Brown]], [[Thomas Jones (American football)|Thomas Jones]], [[Dave Whitsell]], [[Curtis Conway]], [[Tim Jennings]], [[Leslie Frazier]], [[Roberto Garza]], [[Marty Booker]], [[Nathan Vasher]] and [[William Perry (American football)|William Perry]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 10: Best of the rest |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/top-10-best-of-the-rest |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727210513/https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/top-10-best-of-the-rest |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> Pompei would later say that the last two players who didn't make the list were Brown and Frazier.<ref name="k795">{{cite web | last=Pompei | first=Dan | title=Pompei: How did we put together the Bears 100 list you're arguing about? | website=The Athletic | date=2019-05-23 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/992091/2019/05/23/pompei-how-did-we-put-together-the-bears-100-list-youre-arguing-about/ | access-date=2024-08-21}}</ref>

{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|#
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Name
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Position
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Years
|-
|1
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Walter Payton]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|RB
|1975–1987
|-
|2
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Dick Butkus]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|LB
|1965–1973
|-
|3
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Bronko Nagurski]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|FB/LB/T
|1930–1937, 1943
|-
|4
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Sid Luckman]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|QB/P/DB
|1939–1950
|-
|5
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Gale Sayers]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|RB
|1965–1971
|-
|6
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Mike Ditka]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|TE
|1961–1966
|-
|7
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Bill George (linebacker)|Bill George]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|LB
|1952–1965
|-
|8
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Clyde "Bulldog" Turner]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|C/LB
|1940–1952
|-
|9
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Doug Atkins]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|DE
|1955–1966
|-
|10
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Danny Fortmann]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|OG
|1936–1943
|-
|11
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Dan Hampton]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|DE/DT
|1979–1990
|-
|12
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Richard Dent]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|DE
|1983–1993, 1995
|-
|13
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Jim Covert]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|OT
|1983–1990
|-
|14
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Brian Urlacher]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|LB
|2000–2012
|-
|15
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Mike Singletary]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|LB
|1981–1992
|-
|16
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Bill Hewitt (American football)|Bill Hewitt]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|E
|1932–1936
|-
|17
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Stan Jones (American football)|Stan Jones]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|OG/DT
|1954–1965
|-
|18
|style="background-color:#e3e3e3"|[[Jay Hilgenberg]]<sup>'''''vg'''''</sup>
|C/LS
|1981–1991
|-
|19
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Steve McMichael]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|DT
|1981–1993
|-
|20
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Devin Hester]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|KR/PR/WR
|2006–2013
|-
|21
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Joe Stydahar]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|OT
|1936–1942<br />1945–1946
|-
|22
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[George Connor (American football)|George Connor]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|T/LB
|1948–1955
|-
|23
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[George McAfee]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|HB/DB
|1940–1941<br />1945–1950
|-
|24
|style="background-color:#e3e3e3"|[[Joe Fortunato (linebacker)|Joe Fortunato]]<sup>'''''vg'''''</sup>
|LB
|1955–1966
|-
|25
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Ed Sprinkle]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|DE
|1944–1955
|-
|26
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Ed Healey]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|OT/DT
|1922–1927
|-
|27
|[[Olin Kreutz]]
|C
|1998–2010
|-
|28
|[[Lance Briggs]]
|LB
|2003–2014
|-
|29
|style="background-color:#e3e3e3"|[[Rick Casares]]<sup>'''''vg'''''</sup>
|FB
|1955–1964
|-
|30
|[[Gary Fencik]]
|S
|1976–1987
|-
|31
|[[Charles Tillman]]
|CB
|2003–2014
|-
|32
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Paddy Driscoll]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|HB/QB/P
|1920, 1926–1929
|-
|33
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[George Trafton]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|C
|1920–1932
|-
|34
|[[Matt Forte]]
|RB
|2008–2015
|-
|35
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[George Musso]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|OG
|1933–1944
|-
|36
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Red Grange]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|HB/DB
|1925, 1929–1934
|-
|37
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[George Halas]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|E
|1920–1929
|-
|38
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Link Lyman]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|T
|1926–1928<br />1930–1931<br />1933–1934
|-
|39
|style="background-color:#e3e3e3"|[[Harlon Hill]]<sup>'''''vg'''''</sup>
|FL
|1954–1961
|-
|40
|style="background-color:#e3e3e3"|[[Ken Kavanaugh]]<sup>'''''vg'''''</sup>
|E
|1940–1941<br />1945–1950
|-
|41
|[[Neal Anderson]]
|RB
|1986–1993
|-
|42
|style="background-color:#e3e3e3"|[[Richie Petitbon]]<sup>'''''vg'''''</sup>
|S
|1959–1968
|-
|43
|[[Wilber Marshall]]
|LB
|1984–1987
|-
|44
|[[Johnny Morris (American football)|Johnny Morris]]
|FL
|1958–1967
|-
|45
|[[Otis Wilson]]
|LB
|1980–1987
|-
|46
|[[Doug Buffone]]
|LB
|1966–1979
|-
|47
|[[Dave Duerson]]
|S
|1983–1989
|-
|48
|[[Fred Williams (defensive lineman)|Fred Williams]]
|DT
|1952–1963
|-
|49
|style="background-color:#FFE34D"|[[Ray Bray]]<sup>'''''HAF'''''</sup>
|OG
|1939–1942<br />1946–1951
|-
|50
|[[Mark Bortz]]
|OG
|1983–1994
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|#
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Name
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Position
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Years
|-
|51
|[[Keith Van Horne]]
|OT
|1981–1993
|-
|52
|[[Joe Kopcha]]
|OG
|1929, 1932–1935
|-
|53
|[[Jim McMahon]]
|QB
|1982–1988
|-
|54
|[[Ed Brown (quarterback)|Ed Brown]]
|QB/P
|1954–1961
|-
|55
|[[Johnny Lujack]]
|QB/DB
|1948–1951
|-
|56
|[[Roosevelt Taylor]]
|CB
|1961–1969
|-
|57
|[[Jim Osborne (American football)|Jim Osborne]]
|DT
|1972–1984
|-
|58
|[[Wally Chambers]]
|DT
|1973–1977
|-
|59
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[Julius Peppers]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|DE
|2010–2013
|-
|60
|[[Khalil Mack]]
|LB
|2018–2021
|-
|61
|style="background-color:#FBCEB1"|[[Willie Galimore]]<sup>𝐟</sup>
|HB
|1957–1963
|-
|62
|[[Robbie Gould]]
|K
|2005–2015
|-
|63
|[[Mike Brown (safety)|Mike Brown]]
|S
|2000–2008
|-
|64
|[[James "Big Cat" Williams]]
|OT
|1991–2002
|-
|65
|[[Dick Gordon (American football)|Dick Gordon]]
|WR
|1965–1971
|-
|66
|[[Mike Hartenstine]]
|DE
|1975–1986
|-
|67
|[[Ed O'Bradovich]]
|DE
|1962–1971
|-
|68
|[[Dick Barwegen]]
|OG
|1950–1952
|-
|69
|[[Bill Wade]]
|QB
|1961–1966
|-
|70
|[[Matt Suhey]]
|FB
|1980–1989
|-
|71
|[[Kevin Butler (American football)|Kevin Butler]]
|K
|1985–1995
|-
|72
|[[Mark Carrier (safety)|Mark Carrier]]
|S
|1990–1996
|-
|73
|[[Tommie Harris]]
|DT
|2004–2010
|-
|74
|[[Kyle Long]]
|OG
|2013–2019
|-
|75
|[[Akiem Hicks]]
|DT
|2016–2021
|-
|76
|[[J.C. Caroline]]
|DB
|1956–1965
|-
|77
|[[Bennie McRae]]
|DB
|1962–1970
|-
|78
|[[Donnell Woolford]]
|CB
|1989–1996
|-
|79
|[[Dennis McKinnon]]
|WR/KR
|1983–1985<br />1987–1989
|-
|80
|[[Alshon Jeffery]]
|WR
|2012–2016
|-
|81
|[[Brandon Marshall]]
|WR
|2012–2014
|-
|82
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|[[George Blanda]]<sup>𝙝𝙤𝙛</sup>
|QB/K
|1949–1958
|-
|83
|[[Willie Gault]]
|WR
|1983–1987
|-
|84
|[[Tom Thayer]]
|OG
|1985–1992
|-
|85
|[[Jay Cutler]]
|QB
|2009–2016
|-
|86
|[[Allan Ellis (American football)|Allan Ellis]]
|CB
|1973–1977<br />1979–1980
|-
|87
|[[Luke Johnsos]]
|E
|1929–1936
|-
|88
|[[Joey Sternaman]]
|QB/HB/K
|1922–1925<br />1927–1930
|-
|89
|[[Mike Pyle (American football)|Mike Pyle]]
|C
|1961–1969
|-
|90
|style="background-color:#FBCEB1"|[[Beattie Feathers]]<sup>𝐟</sup>
|HB
|1934–1937
|-
|91
|[[Bob Wetoska]]
|OT
|1960–1969
|-
|92
|[[Bill Osmanski]]
|FB
|1939–1943<br />1946–1947
|-
|93
|[[Herm Lee]]
|OT
|1958–1966
|-
|94
|[[Jim Dooley]]
|FL/DB
|1952–1954<br />1956–1957<br />1959–1962
|-
|95
|[[Larry Morris]]
|LB
|1959–1965
|-
|96
|[[Eddie Jackson (safety)|Eddie Jackson]]
|S
|2017–2023
|-
|97
|[[Bobby Joe Green]]
|P
|1962–1973
|-
|98
|[[Trace Armstrong]]
|DE
|1989–1994
|-
|99
|[[Doug Plank]]
|S
|1975–1982
|-
|100
|[[Patrick Mannelly]]
|LS
|1998–2013
|}
{{col-end}}

{{color box|border=darkgray|#FFE6BD|{{note label|MD|𝙝𝙤𝙛}}}} [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee.<br />
{{color box|border=darkgray|#FBCEB1|{{note label|MD|𝐟}}}} Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist.<br />
{{color box|border=darkgray|#FFE34D|{{note label|MD|'''''HAF'''''}}}} [[Helms Athletic Foundation#Pro Football Hall of Fame|Helms Athletic Foundation]] Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.{{efn|The Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame was established in 1950 and preceded the Pro Football Hall of Fame.}}<br />
{{color box|border=darkgray|#e3e3e3|{{note label|MD|'''''vg'''''}}}} [[Professional Football Researchers Association|PFRA Hall of Very Good]] inductee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Very Good |url=https://www.profootballresearchers.com/hall-of-very-good.html |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Professional Football Researchers Association}}</ref>

===All-Time Team===
During the week of June 3, 2019, the All-Time Team was announced in parts each day starting with the All-Time defensive players,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bears Centennial Scrapbook: all-time defensive team |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/bears-centennial-scrapbook-all-time-defensive-team |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606160603/https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/bears-centennial-scrapbook-all-time-defensive-team |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |access-date=June 6, 2020 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> followed by the All-Time specialists<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=June 4, 2019 |title=Hester highlights specialists on all-time team |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/hester-highlights-specialists-on-all-time-team |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727205039/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/hester-highlights-specialists-on-all-time-team |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=June 6, 2020 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> and then the All-Time offensive players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bears Centennial Scrapbook: all-time offensive team |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/bears-centennial-scrapbook-all-time-offensive-team |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727210107/https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/bears-centennial-scrapbook-all-time-offensive-team |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=June 6, 2020 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> '''Bold''' indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Larry Mayer of the Chicagobears.com would later state, that according to the voters "if they had included a long-snapper on the team it would have been [[Patrick Mannelly]]".<ref name="o812">{{cite web | last=Mayer | first=Larry | title=Chalk Talk: Do London games help or hurt? | website=Chicago Bears | date=2019-06-20 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/chalk-talk-do-london-games-help-or-hurt | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

====Offense====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Position
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Player
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Tenure
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Honors* 
|-
|rowspan=1|[[Quarterback|QB]] ||style="background-color:#FFE6BD"| '''[[Sid Luckman]]''' || 1939–1950 || 
* 4× [[NFL champion]] ([[1940 NFL Championship Game|1940]], [[1941 NFL Championship Game|1941]], [[1943 NFL Championship Game|1943]], [[1946 NFL Championship Game|1946]])
* [[Joe F. Carr Trophy|NFL Most Valuable Player]] (1943)
* [[NFL 1940s All-Decade Team]]
* [[#Retired numbers|Chicago Bears No. 42]] retired
|-
|rowspan=1|[[Fullback (American football)|FB]] ||style="background-color:#FFE6BD"| '''[[Bronko Nagurski]]''' || 1930–1937, 1943 || 
* 3× [[List of NFL champions (1920–1969)|NFL champion]] ([[1932 NFL Playoff Game|1932]], [[1933 NFL Championship Game|1933]], [[1943 NFL Championship Game|1943]])
* [[National Football League 1930s All-Decade Team|NFL 1930s All-Decade Team]]
* [[National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team|NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[#Retired numbers|Chicago Bears No. 3]] retired
|-
|rowspan=1|[[Running back|RB]] ||style="background-color:#FFE6BD"| '''[[Walter Payton]]''' || 1975–1987 || 
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XX|XX]])
* 2× [[AP NFL Most Valuable Player|NFL Most Valuable Player]] (1977, 1985)
* [[NFL 1970s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 1980s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[#Retired numbers|Chicago Bears No. 34]] retired
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Wide receiver|WR]] || [[Harlon Hill]] || 1954–1961 || 
* [[Jim Thorpe Trophy|NFL MVP]] ({{nfly|1955}})
|-
|[[Ken Kavanaugh]] || 1940–1941, 1945–1950 || 
* 3× [[History of the National Football League championship|NFL champion]] ([[1940 NFL Championship Game|1940]], [[1941 NFL Championship Game|1941]], [[1946 NFL Championship Game|1946]])
* [[NFL 1940s All-Decade Team]]
|-
|rowspan=1|[[Tight end|TE]] || style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Mike Ditka]]''' || 1961–1966 || 
* [[NFL Championship|NFL champion]] ([[1963 NFL Championship Game|1963]])
* [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[#Retired numbers|Chicago Bears No. 89]] retired
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Offensive tackle|OT]] || style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Joe Stydahar]]''' || 1936–1942, 1945–1946 || 
*3x [[NFL Championship|NFL champion]] ([[1940 NFL Championship Game|1940]], [[1942 NFL Championship Game|1942]], [[1946 NFL Championship Game|1946]])
* [[NFL 1930s All-Decade Team]]
|-
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Jim Covert]]''' || 1983–1990 || 
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XX|XX]])
* [[NFL 1980s All-Decade Team]] 
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Guard (American football)|G]] || style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Stan Jones (American football)|Stan Jones]]''' || 1954–1965 || 
* [[NFL champion]] ([[1963 NFL Championship Game|1963]])
* [[Sporting News]] 1950s All-Decade Team
|-
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Danny Fortmann]]''' || 1936–1943 || 
* 3× [[NFL champion]] ([[1940 NFL Championship Game|1940]], [[1941 NFL Championship Game|1941]], [[1943 NFL Championship Game|1943]])
* [[NFL 1930s All-Decade Team]]
* [[Sports Illustrated]] 1940s All-Decade Team
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
|-
|rowspan=1|[[Center (American football)|C]] || style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Clyde "Bulldog" Turner]]''' || 1940–1952 || 
* 4× [[NFL champion]] ([[1940 NFL Championship Game|1940]], [[1941 NFL Championship Game|1941]], [[1943 NFL Championship Game|1943]], [[1946 NFL Championship Game|1946]])
* [[NFL 1940s All-Decade Team]]
* [[#Retired numbers|Chicago Bears No. 66]] retired
|-
|}

====Defense====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Position
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Player
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Tenure
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Honors* 
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Defensive end|DE]] || style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Doug Atkins]]''' || 1955–1966 || 
* [[List of NFL champions|NFL champion]] ([[1963 NFL Championship Game|1963]])
* [[NFL 1960s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
|-
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Richard Dent]]''' || 1983–1993, 1995 || 
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XX|XX]])
* [[Super Bowl MVP]] ([[Super Bowl XX|XX]])
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Defensive tackle|DT]] || style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Dan Hampton]]''' || 1979–1990 || 
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XX|XX]])
* [[NFL 1980s All-Decade Team]]
|-
|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"| '''[[Steve McMichael]]''' || 1981–1993 || 
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XX|XX]])
* [[Pro-Football-Reference.com|PFR]] 1980s All-Decade Team 
|-
|rowspan=1|[[Linebacker#Middle linebacker|MLB]] || style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Dick Butkus]]''' || 1965–1973 || 
* 2× [[NFL Defensive Player of the Year]] (1969, 1970)
* [[National Football League 1960s All-Decade Team|NFL 1960s All-Decade Team]]
* [[National Football League 1970s All-Decade Team|NFL 1970s All-Decade Team]]
* [[National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team|NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team|NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[#Retired numbers|Chicago Bears No. 51]] retired
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Linebacker#Outside linebacker|OLB]] || style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[George Connor (American football)|George Connor]]''' || 1948–1955 || 
* [[NFL 1940s All-Decade Team]]
|-
|[[Joe Fortunato (linebacker)|Joe Fortunato]] || 1955–1966 || 
* [[NFL champion]] ([[1963 NFL Championship Game|1963]])
* [[NFL 1950s All-Decade Team]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Cornerback|CB]] || style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[George McAfee]]''' || 1940–1941, 1945–1950 || 
* 3× [[NFL champion]] ([[1940 NFL Championship Game|1940]], [[1941 NFL Championship Game|1941]], [[1946 NFL Championship Game|1946]])
* [[NFL 1940s All-Decade Team]]
* [[Chicago Bears retired numbers|Chicago Bears No. 5]] retired
|-
|[[Charles Tillman]] || 2003–2014 || 
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Safety (American football position)|S]] || |[[Gary Fencik]] || 1976–1987 || 
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XX|XX]])
* [[Pro-Football-Reference.com|PFR]] 1980s All-Decade Team 
|-
|[[Richie Petitbon]] || 1959–1968 || 
* [[NFL Championship|NFL champion]] ([[1963 NFL Championship Game|1963]])
|-
|}

====Special teams====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Position
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Player
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Tenure
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Honors* 
|-
|[[Punter (football position)|P]] || [[Bobby Joe Green]] || 1962–1973 || 
|-
|[[Placekicker|PK]] || [[Robbie Gould]] || 2005–2015 || 
|-
|[[Punt returner|PR]] ||style="background-color:#FFE6BD"| '''[[Devin Hester]]''' || 2006–2013 || 
* 3× [[National Football League Alumni|Special Teams Player of the Year]] (2006, 2007, 2010)
* [[National Football League 2000s All-Decade Team|NFL 2000s All-Decade Team]] (PR)
* [[National Football League 2010s All-Decade Team|NFL 2010s All-Decade Team]] (KR)
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
|-
|[[Kickoff returner|KR]] || style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|'''[[Gale Sayers]]''' || 1965–1971 || 
* [[NFL 1960s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[#Retired numbers|Chicago Bears No. 40]] retired
|}
<sup>*</sup> ''As a Chicago Bear''

==Coaching staff==
{{For|a more in-depth look into the history of the head coaches of the Bears|List of Chicago Bears head coaches}}
{{Chicago Bears staff}}

==Minor league affiliates==
The NFL, contrary to the four other major sports leagues in North America, don't have a formal [[farm system]] (beside the short lived [[Association of Professional Football Leagues]]), and over the years some teams had "independent" minor affiliates throughout their existence. The Bears, along with the [[New York Giants]], were at the forefront of those endeavors when in 1939 Halas purchased the [[American Association (American football)|American Association]]'s [[Newark Tornadoes]] and renamed them the "Bears".<ref name=CC2>{{cite news|last1=Gill|first1=Bob|title=Nothing minor about it: The American Association/AFL of 1936–50|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/12-02-398.pdf|work=The Coffin Corner|date=December 1, 1990}}</ref> Halas stocked the team with talent that did not make the Chicago roster, and used the club to incubate talent and for easy return for injured players, thus making it pro football's first true farm team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.njsportsheroes.com/football.history.html|title=Football.History|website=www.njsportsheroes.com}}</ref> Newark's most notable names included [[Joe Zeller]] as coach and [[Gene Ronzani]] (that year Chicago also assigned [[Sid Luckman]] to Newark playoff game, which the Bears won 13–6, to win the Southern Division title). This practice continued sporadically until 1972, and ended with the collapse of several minor leagues along with the [[National Football League Players Association|NFL labor disputes in the 1970s]].<ref name="NFLPA history">{{cite web|title=History|url=https://www.nflplayers.com/about-us/History/|publisher=NFL Players Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011092613/http://www.nflplayers.com/About-us/History/|archive-date=October 11, 2010|access-date=October 2, 2011}}</ref>

Other notable players assigned includes: [[George Gulyanics]], [[Ed Ecker]], [[Lloyd Reese]], [[Raymond R. Schumacher|Raymond Schumacher]], [[Jack Karwales]] and [[Doug McEnulty]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Team
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|League
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Location
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Stadium
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|border=2}};"|Affiliated
|-
!scope="row"| [[Orange/Newark Tornadoes|Newark Bears]]
| [[American Association (American football)|American Association]]
| [[Newark, New Jersey]]
| [[Newark Schools Stadium]]
| 1939–1941
|-
!scope="row"| [[Wichita Aero Commandos]]
| Independent
| [[Wichita, Kansas]]
| [[Lawrence–Dumont Stadium|Lawrence Stadium]]
| 1942
|-
!scope="row"| [[George Halas#Akron Bears|Akron Bears]]{{efn|Halas also owned the [[Newark Tornadoes#Tornadoes and Bears in the American Association|Newark Bombers]], but it acted as an independent team.}}
| [[American Association (American football)|American Football League]]
| [[Akron, Ohio]]
| [[Rubber Bowl]]
| 1946<ref>{{Cite web|title=1946 Akron Bears (AFL)|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1946aflakr.html|website=Pro Football Archives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129114437/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1946aflakr.html |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Bloomfield Cardinals]]
| [[American Association (American football)|American Football League]]
| [[Bloomfield, New Jersey]]
| [[Bloomfield College|Foley Field]]
| 1947<ref>{{Cite web|title=1947 Bloomfield Cardinals (AFL)|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1947aflblo.html|website=Pro Football Archives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127134826/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1947aflblo.html |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Richmond Rebels (Dixie League)|Richmond Rebels]]
| [[American Association (American football)|American Football League]]
| [[Richmond, Virginia]]
| [[City Stadium (Richmond)|City Stadium]]
| 1948–1950
|-
!scope="row"| [[Quad City Mohawks]]
| [[Midwest Professional Football League]]
| [[Davenport, Iowa]]
| [[Quad Cities Landmarks|Brady Street Stadium]]
| 1970-1972<ref>{{Cite web|title=1970 Quad City Mohawks (MWPFL)|url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/1970mwpflqc.html|website=Pro Football Archives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930131100/http://www.profootballarchives.com/1970mwpflqc.html |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book|author=Taylor, Roy |title=Chicago Bears History|publisher=Arcadia Publishing (SC)|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7385-3319-3}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.nfl.com/teams/chicago-bears/ Chicago Bears] at the [[National Football League]] official website
* [https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/chi/chicago-bears/ Chicago Bears] at [[ESPN.com]]
* [http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ Chicago Bears] at the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
* [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/ Franchise Encyclopedia] at [[Pro Football Reference]]

{{Chicago Bears}}
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