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Top 25 Chicago Bears of the Last 25 Years

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Top 25 Chicago Bears of the last 25 Years

Top 25 Chicago Bears of the last 25 Years
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The last 25 years haven't been the best for the Chicago Bears. Since Ditka was fired in 1992, the Bears have only reached the playoffs five times and have zero championships to show for it. They've averaged less than eight wins per season, which is probably why change was needed. With Ryan Pace and John Fox ushering in a new era in Chicago, we look back at the best players that have donned the navy blue and orange over the last 25 years.

26. Tom Waddle, WR, 1989-1994

Tom Waddle Chicago Bears
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26. Tom Waddle, WR, 1989-1994

Tom Waddle Chicago Bears
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Well, after examining Waddle’s career, I couldn’t make a case for him to be in the top 25, but I also refused not to represent him either. A regular member of the All-Madden team, no player had less athleticism, but more toughness than Waddle. He was fearless over the middle and had phenomenal hands. Although he was only productive over three years, his attitude and toughness alone gets him on this list.

25. Roberto Garza, G/C, 2005-2014

Seattle Seahawks v Chicago Bears Roberto Garza
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25. Roberto Garza, G/C, 2005-2014

Seattle Seahawks v Chicago Bears Roberto Garza
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Garza was a consummate pro for the Bears and a staple of the offensive line for a decade. Never flashy, Garza showed up and got the job done. He wasn’t a Pro Bowl level player but he was a player that any Bears GM and coach knew they could plug in and rely on him every game.

24. Curtis Conway, WR, 1993-1999

Curtis Conway Chicago Bears
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24. Curtis Conway, WR, 1993-1999

Curtis Conway Chicago Bears
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The pick that summarizes the Dave Wannstedt era. Conway was going to be the athletic receiver the Bears desperately needed and usher the offense into the modern era. Conway never reached his potential and was a fish out of water in Chicago, but any receiver that reached 1,000 yards in back-to-back years in those days does deserve a nod of credit.

23. Thomas Jones, RB, 2004-2006

Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis Colts v Chicago Bears Thomas Jones
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23. Thomas Jones, RB, 2004-2006

Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis Colts v Chicago Bears Thomas Jones
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Jones spent three years in Chicago and never got a lot of recognition but all he did was produce. All Jones did was gain 3500 yards and 22 touchdowns in three years. He was never flashy but he was a reliable running back that played almost every week and was a key cog on the Bears' offense during his time in Chicago.

22. James Williams, T, 1991-2002

James Williams #71 Chicago Bears
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22. James Williams, T, 1991-2002

James Williams #71 Chicago Bears
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A fan favorite during his days in Chicago, “Big Cat” was a solid offensive lineman for over a decade in Chicago. Never short of an opinion, he was a go-to sound bite for media members. His oversized body and oversized personality made him a perfect fit to thrive in the city of Chicago.

21. Erik Kramer, QB, 1994-1998

Erik Kramer Chicago Bears
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21. Erik Kramer, QB, 1994-1998

Erik Kramer Chicago Bears
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Kramer has to make the list because he had the greatest statistical season of any Bears QB in franchise history. In 1995, Kramer threw for over 3800 yards with 29 TDs and only 10 INTs. He struggled in his four-plus seasons in Chicago with injury and performance, but 1995 alone deserves recognition.

20. Alonzo Spellman, DE, 1992-1997

Alonzo Spellman Chicago Bears
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20. Alonzo Spellman, DE, 1992-1997

Alonzo Spellman Chicago Bears
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A former first-round pick out of Ohio State. Spellman is probably best known for his troubles since his NFL career concluded, but he had a few very productive years at defensive end in Chicago. Spellman tallied 22.5 sacks over a three season stretch and 32 sacks for his career, good for 11th on the Bears all-time list.

19. Marty Booker, WR, 1999-2003, 2008

Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears Marty Booker
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19. Marty Booker, WR, 1999-2003, 2008

Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears Marty Booker
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Booker had a few quality years with the Bears at the turn of the century. He tallied back-to-back years and was the first Bears WR named to a pro bowl after a thirty-year drought. Booker was traded to Miami for Adawale Ogunleye in a trade that’s potential never materialized for either side.

18. Adewale Ogunleye, DE, 2004-2009

St. Louis Rams v Chicago Bears Adewale Ogunleye
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18. Adewale Ogunleye, DE, 2004-2009

St. Louis Rams v Chicago Bears Adewale Ogunleye
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Traded for the aforementioned Booker, Ogunleye was supposed to anchor the defense and dominate games. Coming off a 15 sack season for Miami, the Bears never really got what they were hoping for. In 6 seasons, Ogunleye only reached double digits in sacks once. He was a solid contributor but was never the player he was expected to be.

17. Trace Armstrong, DE, 1989-1994

Bears V Packers Trace Armstrong
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17. Trace Armstrong, DE, 1989-1994

Bears V Packers Trace Armstrong
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Armstrong had a long 15-year career in the NFL and spent the first 6 of them in Chicago. He came in as the Bears 80s dominance was winding down and spent most of his Bears career on less than stellar teams. Armstrong was a solid defensive end that had a knack at getting to the QB. He’s become a successful agent since his NFL career ended.

16. Jay Cutler, QB, 2009- Present

Chicago Bears v Minnesota Vikings Jay Cutler
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16. Jay Cutler, QB, 2009- Present

Chicago Bears v Minnesota Vikings Jay Cutler
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Don't close the window if you've made it this far and hear me out. He's another in a long line of unpopular starting QBs for the Bears since Jim McMahon (See Jim Harbaugh, Erik Kramer, Rex Grossman). Regardless, he’s still the most prolific passer the franchise has ever seen and led the team to an NFC Championship game appearance. His impact on the team has been far more positive than negative despite public perception.

15. Robbie Gould, K, 2005 - Present

Chicago Bears v Cleveland Browns Robbie Gould
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15. Robbie Gould, K, 2005 - Present

Chicago Bears v Cleveland Browns Robbie Gould
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When a kicker makes a team's top 15, it’s probably not a good thing, but Gould has been one of the most reliable kickers in the league. Gould is one of the top 10 most accurate kickers in the history of the league and has never missed a FG inside of 30 yards. As much as fans love Kevin Butler, he’s the best kicker the franchise has ever seen.

14. Donnell Woolford, CB, 1989-1996

Donnell Woolford Chicago Bears
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14. Donnell Woolford, CB, 1989-1996

Donnell Woolford Chicago Bears
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An 8-year veteran with the Bears, Woolford was a solid corner that had the franchise record for most interceptions by a corner until Charles Tillman surpassed him. Woolford reached a pro bowl and was a very good player on a lot of mediocre '90s Bears teams.

13. Mike Brown, S, 2000-2008

Detroit Lions v Chicago Bears Mike Brown
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13. Mike Brown, S, 2000-2008

Detroit Lions v Chicago Bears Mike Brown
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Made a living having a nose for the big play. Brown made a name for himself returning overtime interceptions for game-winning touchdowns back to back weeks against Cleveland and San Francisco in 2001. Brown, a two-time All-Pro was a defensive leader and could have been higher if injuries didn’t derail his career.

12. Tim Jennings, CB, 2010- Present

Chicago Bears v Atlanta Falcons Tim Jennings
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12. Tim Jennings, CB, 2010- Present

Chicago Bears v Atlanta Falcons Tim Jennings
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Jennings has had a very underrated career in Chicago. He’s been opposite Peanut Tillman the past five seasons and has been rewarded with two pro bowl appearances. In 2012, he led the NFL in interceptions and in 2013 he led the NFL in defensive touchdowns. Although now a shell of what he once was, Jennings was an important corner on some very good Bears defensive teams.

11. Brandon Marshall, WR, 2012-2014

Dallas Cowboys v Chicago Bears Brandon Marshall
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11. Brandon Marshall, WR, 2012-2014

Dallas Cowboys v Chicago Bears Brandon Marshall
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Marshall only spent 3 years in Chicago but he made them count. In 2012 he had the greatest season the franchise had ever seen from a wide receiver tallying 118 catches for 1508 yards and followed up in 2013 with another 100 catch effort. Marshall is 11th all time in receiving yards and could have climbed as far as second with only one more season in Chicago. Despite only having 3 seasons, he is arguably the greatest WR in Bears history.

10. Mark Carrier, S, 1990-1996

Mark Carrier Chicago Bears
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10. Mark Carrier, S, 1990-1996

Mark Carrier Chicago Bears
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A name you haven’t heard in a long time. Carrier was a first round pick by the Bears in 1990 and played seven seasons in Chicago. Carrier went to the Pro Bowl three of his first four years in the league and was defensive rookie of the year in 1990. Carrier was an intelligent player and a leader on the defense and was one of the hardest hitters in the league, an attribute that made him quite popular in the Windy City.

9. Tommie Harris, DT, 2004-2010

Detroit Lions v Chicago Bears Tommie Harris
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9. Tommie Harris, DT, 2004-2010

Detroit Lions v Chicago Bears Tommie Harris
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Started his career afire in Chicago. Harris was an impactful rookie and followed that up with three-straight Pro Bowl appearances. He was a dominant defensive tackle that could single-handedly control a game from a defensive tackle position, something near impossible to do. Harris’ career quickly derailed due to injuries and attitude and he was off the team after seven seasons and out of the NFL after eight.

8. Julius Peppers, DE, 2010-2013

Detroit Lions v Chicago Bears Julius Peppers
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8. Julius Peppers, DE, 2010-2013

Detroit Lions v Chicago Bears
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Peppers is headed to Canton. Although his best years came in Carolina, he had four very good campaigns in Chicago. When motivated, he had the ability to dominate a game whether that was getting to the quarterback or forcing turnovers. Peppers was an incredible talent who had a major impact in Chicago during his time with the franchise.

7. Matt Forte, RB, 2008 - Present

Matt Forte Chicago Bears
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7. Matt Forte, RB, 2008 - Present

Matt Forte Chicago Bears
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Try and say something bad about Matt Forte. You can't. He’s been durable, he consistently gains over 1,000 yards on the ground and he is one of the best receiving threats out of the backfield in the entire league. Forte could be entering his final year with Chicago but he’s had seven tremendous seasons and Bears fans should sit back and enjoy his eighth in case it’s his last.

6. Charles Tillman, CB, 2003-2014

Chicago Bears v Arizona Cardinals Charles Tillman
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6. Charles Tillman, CB, 2003-2014

Chicago Bears v Arizona Cardinals Charles Tillman
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The most beloved Bear in the last 25 years. Tillman was a key member of the Bears defense for 12 years. A 2x Pro Bowler, Tillman also was first team all-pro in 2012. Tillman finished his Bears’ career with 36 interceptions good for 3rd all-time within the franchise and only two off the all-time lead. Tillman also finished with 8 defensive touchdowns which is the most in franchise history.

5. Neal Anderson, RB, 1986-1993

Neal Anderson Chicago Bears
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5. Neal Anderson, RB, 1986-1993

Neal Anderson Chicago Bears
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The man that took over for Walter Payton. Anderson wasn’t the most popular player in Chicago in 1987 as he was labeled the man trying to unseat Sweetness, but after Payton retired he quickly established himself as an elite RB. A four-time Pro Bowler, Anderson’s peak was short, but during that stretch, he was one of the best all-purpose backs in the league.

4. Devin Hester, KR/PR, 2006-2013

Chicago Bears v Washington Redskins
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4. Devin Hester, KR/PR, 2006-2013

Chicago Bears v Washington Redskins
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Hester is the greatest returner in NFL history. No one was more important from a special teams perspective than Hester. He had 19 career return TDs with Chicago, which tied Deion Sanders for the NFL record (Hester would later break the record in 2014 with Atlanta). The only difference: Deion’s tally included interceptions, and Hester’s record was done strictly on special teams. A special talent that was must-see TV every time he touched the ball.

3. Olin Kreutz, C, 1998-2010

2011 NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears Olin Kreutz
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3. Olin Kreutz, C, 1998-2010

2011 NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears
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Kreutz is easily the best offensive linemen the Bears have had since their stretch of great linemen in the 1980s. Kreutz spent 13 seasons with Chicago and made the pro bowl on 6 different occasions and was first team all-pro four times. He was the leader of the line for a decade and was the only outstanding linemen the Bears have had after Jay Hilgenberg and before Kyle Long.

2. Lance Briggs, OLB, 2003-2014

Minnesota Vikings v Chicago Bears
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2. Lance Briggs, OLB, 2003-2014

Minnesota Vikings v Chicago Bears Lance Briggs
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Briggs final season in Chicago was bumpy, and he may be better known for ugly contract disputes but that shouldn't detract from a stellar on-the-field career in Chicago. Briggs was a three-time All-Pro and made seven Pro Bowls. He had a nose for making big plays and he helped give the Bears one of the best linebacking corps in the league for several years.

1. Brian Urlacher, MLB, 2000-2012

Chicago Bears v Tennessee Titans
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1. Brian Urlacher, MLB, 2000-2012

Chicago Bears v Tennessee Titans Brian Urlacher
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Urlacher’s impact on the franchise can’t be summarized in a paragraph. Urlacher made eight pro bowls, four First Team All-Pros and was defensive player of the year in 2005. Also a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade team, Urlacher recorded over 100 tackles in nine different seasons, only failing to record 100 tackles in one season when he was fully healthy. Urlacher is easily the greatest member of the Bears in the last quarter century.

Bill Zimmerman is a featured NFL writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.

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