History of the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears actually played their first game before there was even an NFL, known then as the Decatur Staleys. An old works team for the Staley Manufacturing company in Decatur, Illinois.
A player-coach for the team, George Halas, thought bigger than that. George along with 12 other team representatives banded together to form the American Professional Football Association. Which later changed its name to the National Football League.
Halas moved the team to Chicago, and in a nod to his new landlords, Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs. He changed the team name to the Bears.
The Bears are the oldest franchise to call a single city home. With the 2022 season being the 100th anniversary of the team officially becoming the Chicago Bears.
Chicago Bears Early Success
The Bears were a great success in the early years, winning seven NFL titles in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, and an eighth in 1963. But in the Super Bowl era they have just one championship, a 46-10 win in Super Bowl XX.
With 30 Hall of Famers the Bears have more players enshrined than any other team in NFL history. The names read like a who’s who of the greatest players in the sport.
There is Bronco Nagurski, a three-time NFL champion, and later a world championship wrestler. Red Grange, “the Galloping Ghost”, who also played briefly for the New York Yankees. Two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a five-time First-team All-Pro linebacker Dick Butkus. And there was George Blanda, who played a record 26 seasons. At one-point was the all-time NFL leader in points scored.
In more modern times Hall of Fame inductees include linebackers Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. Don’t forget one of the greatest running backs to ever grace an NFL field, Walter Payton.
NFL Big Changes from Last Season – Chicago Bears
The Bears underwent a front office and coaching staff face lift this past offseason. Saying goodbye to head coach Matt Nagy – who won the Coach of the Year Award in 2018 – and hello to Matt Eberflus. Who comes to Chicago after serving as the Colts defensive coordinator the last four years.
Joining Eberflus is new offensive coordinator. Luke Getsy, who was the quarterbacks coach in Green Bay the last two seasons when Aaron Rodgers won back-to-back MVP awards. Because Eberflus comes from the defensive side of football, he will rely heavily on Getsy to manage the offense and continue the growth of second-year quarterback Justin Fields.
The new defensive coordinator in Chicago is Alan Williams. He was the defensive backs coach with Eberflus in Indianapolis.
Chicago Bears New General Manager
Chicago also has a new general manager in Ryan Poles, who had been in the player personnel department of the Chiefs. Also, was their director of scouting when they drafted Patrick Mahomes.
Some of the other changes in Chicago are less good. Gone is wide receiver Allen Robinson after four years with the Bears. He struggled in 2021, but he went over 1,000 yards in each of the previous two seasons.
Chicago is also missing Khalil Mack, who is now a Charger. During his four years in Chicago he amassed 36 sacks and 164 tackles. In return for Mack the Bears got a second round draft pick. That they used on safety Jaquan Brisker out of Penn State. He is expected to start alongside Eddie Jackson in a very good safety group.
Earlier in the second round the Bears selected Kyler Gordon from Washington. He is expected to fill an immediate need for a starting cornerback.
The Bears also have a new starting center in Lucas Patrick, who played in Green Bay last season. Byron Pringle is a new wide receiver, coming over from Kansas City. They also expect third round draft pick Velus Jones Jr. to be their primary receiver in the slot.
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NFC North
