The Chicago Bears are one of only two teams who have been in the NFL since its inception. They entered the American Professional Football Association in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys. In 1921 they would relocate to Chicago and take that city’s name. They would also win the league championship that year. In 1922 the APFA became the NFL and the Chicago Staleys became the Chicago Bears. The Bears were dominant in the early years of the NFL. In fact, they didn’t see a losing season until 1929.

Throughout the ’30s, even though the team was highly successful, they struggled to get fans in, causing a financial strain on the team. At this time, teams played unofficial playoff games. These were wildly popular and caused the NFL to begin holding an official championship. The Bears would win the first-ever NFL championship over the New York Giants. They would meet in the championship again in 1934 with the Giants winning that contest.

In 1940, Halas would create the T-formation offense and with that, led by quarterback Sid Luckman, the Bears would go on to win multiple championships that decade. The Monsters of the Midway were born. The 1950s were not as kind to the Bears only reaching the playoffs twice, the ’60’s were a little better. Although they only went to the playoffs once, it did result in another NFL title.

In 1970 the AFL and NFL merged. It didn’t work out well for the Bears initially as they finished that season last in their division. But in 1975 the Bears would draft a man by the name of Walter Payton. Sweetness was an immediate fan favorite and a rushing machine. He helped lead the Bears to three playoff appearances during his playing days and the team was largely built around him. During his playing days, a new coach was brought in. In 1982 Iron Mike Ditka would take over the reigns.

Even following the retirement of Payton in 1984, Ditka proved he was one of the greatest coaching minds to ever grace the game. Beginning in 1984 the Bears would go the playoffs five consecutive years, winning the Super Bowl in 1985. A large (very large) part of that 1985 run was another man who would become an icon in the sport. William the Refrigerator Perry. With The Refrigerator and the 46 defense, opponents were nearly helpless.

While the team has remained successful, another Super Bowl ring has eluded them. But that does not stop the Bears from being one of the most innovative teams in the game. Lovie Smith came in as head coach in 2004 and brought the Tampa 2 defense. In 2005, the Bears were back as division champions. In 2006, they were back in the Super Bowl.

Although Smith took the team to the playoffs three times the Bears expected more. Marc Trestman was brought in. Many still question the hiring of Trestman as the team ended at .500 in his first season and were absolutely horrible in his second, including two consecutive games where they were embarrassed by allowing 50 points scored. John Fox replaced him, but he couldn’t do much better and also failed to capture the former glory.

Matt Nagy would find it, as he led the Bears back to a division championship in 2018. The Bears would go back to the playoffs again in 2020. 2022 was a rough one for the team, but a first-round draft pick, a new head coach, and a bolstered defense look promising.

Come watch your Bears every time they take the field this season on NFL Webcast. Who doesn’t look forward to seeing the Monsters of the Midway fight it out against the Green Bay Packers? One of the oldest and most entrenched rivalries in all of professional sports.

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