History of Chicago Bears in Timeline
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, competing in the NFL's NFC North division. They have a rich history, boasting nine NFL Championships, including one Super Bowl victory. The Bears hold NFL records for the most Hall of Fame enshrinees and retired jersey numbers. Their NFL championships and total wins rank second only to their rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
1919: Team Founded by A. E. Staley
In 1919, A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company owner Augustus Eugene Staley founded the club, which was owned by the company.
1919: Staley Company Forms Football Team
In 1919, the A.E. Staley Company's Fellowship Club formed a football team.
1919: Decatur Staleys Founded
In 1919, the Decatur Staleys were founded as a company team by the A. E. Staley food starch company, winning the Central Illinois Championship.
September 17, 1920: Became Professional
On September 17, 1920, the Chicago Bears became a professional football team.
1920: Crosstown Rivalry
From 1920 the Chicago Bears formed a rivalry with the Chicago Cardinals that lasted until 1959.
1920: Chamberlain offers Halas Job
In 1920, George Chamberlain offered George Halas a job with the A.E. Staley Company to manage their football team.
1920: Halas Takes Over Team
In 1920, George Halas took over the team when it became a charter member of the NFL.
1920: Charter Member of the NFL
In 1920, the Chicago Bears became a charter member of the NFL.
1920: Inaugural Season
In 1920, the Decatur Staleys played their inaugural season in the American Professional Football Association.
1920: Decatur Staleys Use A. E. Staley's Logo
In 1920, the Decatur Staleys used A. E. Staley's logo, as football was intended to help promote the company.
1920: Bears and Cardinals
In 1920, the oldest continuing matchup in the NFL belongs to the Bears and the Arizona Cardinals, the only remaining NFL teams from the 1920 APFA season.
1920: Halas Wins Coaching Debut
Marc Trestman's win in his coaching debut in 2013 marked the fourth time a Bears coach won his debut, after George Halas (1920).
1920: Rivalry with Green Bay Packers Begins
The Green Bay Packers are the Bears' biggest rivals since their team's inception in 1920.
1921: Halas Takes Ownership
In 1921, A. E. Staley transferred team ownership to George Halas and paid him $5,000 to keep the Staleys name for one more year. Halas then added Edward "Dutch" Sternaman as a second owner.
1921: First Meeting Victory Over Packers
In 1921, the Bears (known as the Staleys at the time) won their first meeting with the Green Bay Packers in a shutout, 20–0.
1921: NFL Championship
In 1921, the Chicago Bears captured the NFL Championship.
1921: Rivalry with Green Bay Packers
In 1921, the Chicago Bears' rivalry with the Green Bay Packers began; in one incident that year, George Halas had the Packers expelled from the league and then re-admitted.
January 28, 1922: Bears Incorporated
On January 28, 1922, the Bears were incorporated as "a new league team" after a name change at an NFL meeting.
1922: Name Change and Wrigley Field
In 1922, George Halas changed the team name from the Staleys to the Chicago Bears and moved into Wrigley Field.
1922: NFL Renamed
In 1922, the American Professional Football Association was renamed the National Football League (NFL).
1923: 50 Points Allowed in Consecutive Games
In 2014, the Bears became the first team since the 1923 Rochester Jeffersons to allow at least 50 points in consecutive games.
1924: Claimed Championship
In 1924, the Bears claimed the Championship after defeating the Cleveland Bulldogs, but the NFL ruled that games after November 30 did not count towards league standings, so the Bears finished second.
1924: First Ejection of Players
The 1924 matchup between the Bears and Packers (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 Walter Voss of the Packers were ejected for punching each other.
1924: Tiebreaker Win Over the Bears
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.
1925: Signing Red Grange
In 1925, the Chicago Bears signed Red Grange, a top college football draw, to increase fan attendance, and later went on a barnstorming tour.
1925: Packers Claim First Win
In 1925, the Packers claimed their first win over the Bears, 14–10.
1926: Grange Leaves for AFL
In 1926, Red Grange left the Chicago Bears for the AFL's New York Yankees after a failed contract talk.
1929: Losing Season
In 1929, the Chicago Bears had their only losing season.
1930: Staleys/Bears Moved Summer Training Camp to Mills Stadium
In 1930, the Staleys/Bears moved their summer training camp to Mills Stadium in Chicago, after conducting it in their home stadiums.
1930: Bears Face Detroit Lions
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.
1931: Sternaman Sells Stake to Halas
In 1931, Sternaman sold his stake to Halas for $38,000, who raised the initial funding by selling ownership stakes to multiple parties.
1931: Training camp at Loyola University Chicago
In 1931, the Bears held their summer training camp at Loyola University Chicago.
1932: Halas Takes Full Control
After the financial losses of the 1932 Championship season, George Halas' partner Dutch Sternaman left the organization, leaving Halas in full control.
1932: First Postseason Game in NFL History
In 1932, the Bears and Spartans met in the first-ever postseason game in NFL history, with the Bears winning the game 9–0. The game also took place in indoor Chicago Stadium due to a blizzard at the time.
1932: Historic Rivalry Begins
In 1932, the Bears and the Washington Commanders began a historically significant rivalry, when the Commanders were located in Boston and were known as the Braves.
1932: NFL Playoff Game
In 1932, the Chicago Bears defeated the Portsmouth Spartans in the first NFL playoff game, which was also the first indoor American football game.
1933: Bidwill Purchases Stock
In 1933, Charles Bidwill purchased $5,000 in stock and arranged a bank loan to pay off Sternaman.
1934: Training camp at Lane Tech College Prep High School
In 1934, the Bears held training camp at Lane Tech College Prep High School.
1934: Bears record undefeated regular season but lose championship
In 1934, the Chicago Bears completed a 13-0 regular season record but were defeated by the New York Giants in the championship game.
1934: NFL Championship Game
In 1934, the Chicago Bears played the New York Giants in the NFL Championship game, where the Giants defeated the Bears 30-13.
1934: Sneakers Game
The Bears and the New York Giants met in six NFL championship games, which included the Sneakers Game that the Giants won in the 1934 NFL Championship Game.
1935: Training Camp at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy
In 1935, the Chicago Bears began conducting training camps at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin.
1937: Rivalry Heats Up
In 1937, the Bears-Commanders rivalry started to heat up when Washington drafted quarterback Sammy Baugh and both teams were often met in the NFL Championship Game.
1937: Division Play Begins
The Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and the Bears played in the same division from the 1937 NFL season to the 1969 NFL season.
1939: Luckman Sets Records
Between 1939 and 1950, Sid Luckman set the Chicago Bears' passing records for most career touchdowns, yards, and completions.
1939: Halas purchases Newark Tornadoes, renames them the "Bears"
In 1939, George Halas purchased the American Association's Newark Tornadoes and renamed them the "Bears" to create pro football's first true farm team.
1940: NFL Championship Win
In 1940, Sid Luckman led the Bears to a 73-0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the NFL Championship Game, setting an NFL record for the most lopsided result. Introduction of T-formation by Halas.
1940: Record-Setting Victory
In 1940, the Bears set a record by defeating the Commanders 73-0 in the NFL Championship game, which remains the largest margin of victory in league history.
1940: Bears achieve largest margin of victory in NFL history
In 1940, the Chicago Bears achieved the largest margin of victory in an NFL game, defeating the Washington Redskins 73-0 in the NFL Championship Game.
1940: First Chicago Bears Logo Introduced
In 1940, the first Chicago Bears logo was introduced, depicting a black bear running with a football.
1941: Bears Defeat Packers in Postseason
In 1941, the Bears won against the Green Bay Packers, 33-14, and eventually defeated the New York Giants in the 1941 NFL Championship Game
1941: Previous Playoff Meeting with Packers
The 2010 NFC Championship game was only the second playoff meeting between the Bears and Packers, the only other game having been played in 1941.
1942: Bears record undefeated regular season but lose championship
In 1942, the Chicago Bears completed an 11-0 regular season record but were defeated by the Redskins in the championship game.
1946: Second Bears Logo Introduced
In 1946, the logo featured a navy blue bear on top of a football.
1947: Luckman Leads To Victory
In 1947, quarterback Sid Luckman led the Chicago Bears to victories in four out of the five NFL Championship Games in which they appeared from 1940 to 1947.
1949: Bidwill's Stock Bought Off
In 1949, Violet, the widow of Charles Bidwill, sold Bidwill's stock for $50,000.
1950: Luckman Sets Records
Between 1939 and 1950, Sid Luckman set the Chicago Bears' passing records for most career touchdowns, yards, and completions.
1950: Ray Bray enshrined in Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame
In 1950, Ray Bray was enshrined in the Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1956: WBBM-TV was Bears unofficial "home" station
From 1956 until Fox won the NFC rights in 1995, WBBM-TV was the Bears' unofficial "home" station
1958: Largest Crowd in Bears History
The 1958 game between the Rams and the Bears attracted 100,470 fans, the largest in Bears history.
1959: End of Crosstown Rivalry
The Chicago Bears crosstown rivalry with the Chicago Cardinals lasted from 1920 until 1959.
1959: Cardinals Move to St. Louis
Through 1959, the Bears were leading 47-19-6 through 1959, when the Cardinals moved to St. Louis
1961: Ditka Joins Bears
From 1961 to 1966, Mike Ditka played as a tight end for the Chicago Bears.
1961: Yogi Bear Helps the Bears in Animated Short
In 1961, the Hanna-Barbera animated short "Rah Rah Bear" was released, featuring Yogi Bear helping the Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants.
1961: Pick-Six Record Reference
In the 2011 season, the Bears became the first team in NFL history to return six interceptions for touchdowns in the first seven games of the season, coming close to breaking the record set by the 1961 San Diego Chargers.
1962: "Wishbone-C" Logo Introduced
In 1962, the Bears introduced their trademark "wishbone-C" logo for the first time, initially white with a black outline.
1963: Hall of Fame Induction
In 1963, George Halas was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's first induction class.
1963: George Halas, Bronko Nagurski, and Red Grange inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
In 1963, George Halas, Bronko Nagurski, and Red Grange were part of the original class of inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1963: Eighth NFL Championship
In 1963, the Chicago Bears captured their eighth NFL Championship.
July 27, 1964: Death of Willie Galimore and Bo Farrington
On July 27, 1964, Bears players Willie Galimore and Bo Farrington died in an automobile accident near the team's training camp.
1964: Bears suffer largest defeat against Baltimore Colts
In 1964, the Chicago Bears suffered their largest defeat, losing 52-0 against the Baltimore Colts.
1966: Ditka Plays for Bears
From 1961 to 1966, Mike Ditka played as a tight end for the Chicago Bears.
1967: Franchise saw 14 individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame
From 1963 to 1967, the Chicago Bears saw 14 individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1967: Halas Retires as Coach
In 1967, George Halas retired as coach of the Chicago Bears and spent the rest of his days in the front office.
1968: Successful Fair Catch Kick
In 1968, the rivalry also featured one of the last successful fair catch kicks in 1968, when Bears kicker Mac Percival kicked the game-winning field goal.
1969: Last Place Finish
The Chicago Bears finished in last place in their division during the 1969 season.
1969: Division Play Ends
The Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and the Bears played in the same division from the 1937 NFL season to the 1969 NFL season.
February 1970: Halas President of NFC
In February 1970, George Halas was elected the first President of the National Football Conference.
1970: Last Place Finish
After the merger, the Chicago Bears finished the 1970 season in last place in their division.
1970: Brian Piccolo's Death
In 1970, Brian Piccolo died of embryonal carcinoma.
1970: Renovations to Wrigley Field
In 1970, the Chicago Bears had to relocate games due to renovations at Wrigley Field.
1970: End of Wrigley Field Era
In 1970, the Chicago Bears' era of playing home games at Wrigley Field ended.
1971: Soldier Field's surface changed to astroturf
Before the 1971 season, Soldier Field's playing surface was changed from natural grass to astroturf.
1971: Brian's Song
In 1971, ABC aired a movie about Brian Piccolo entitled Brian's Song, starring James Caan and Billy Dee Williams.
1971: Brian's Song TV Movie Released
In 1971, the American TV movie Brian's Song, starring Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers and James Caan as Brian Piccolo, was released.
1971: Bears Move to Soldier Field
In 1971, the Chicago Bears moved to Soldier Field after playing at Wrigley Field for 50 years. The move was necessitated by the AFL-NFL Merger, which preferred teams to play in stadiums holding at least 50,000 fans.
1972: Miami Dolphins complete undefeated season and win championship
In 1972, the Miami Dolphins completed an undefeated season and won the championship, a feat the Bears did not achieve in their undefeated seasons.
1972: Dolphins Undefeated Season
In 1972, the Miami Dolphins had the only franchise in history to have had an undefeated season and post-season.
1972: Practice of minor affiliates for NFL teams ends
In 1972, the practice of teams having "independent" minor affiliates ended with the collapse of several minor leagues.
1975: Training Camp at Lake Forest College
From 1975, the Chicago Bears conducted their summer training camp at Lake Forest College.
1975: Payton began playing with the Bears
In 1975, Payton began playing for the Bears
1975: Draft Walter Payton
In 1975, the Chicago Bears drafted Walter Payton from Jackson State University.
1976: Chicago Honey Bears Cheerleading Squad
In 1976, the Chicago Honey Bears cheerleading squad was founded.
1977: Halas Hall Opened
In 1977, Halas Hall opened as the practice and front office facility for the Bears.
1977: Payton Wins MVP
In the 1977-78 season, Walter Payton won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award.
1978: Armstrong Wins Coaching Debut
Marc Trestman's win in his coaching debut in 2013 marked the fourth time a Bears coach won his debut, after Neill Armstrong (1978).
1978: Worst Record Since 16-Game Season
The 3-13 record during the 2016 season was the Bears' worst since the NFL changed to 16-game seasons in 1978.
1979: George "Mugs" Halas Jr. Death
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 and others owned the remaining outstanding shares.
1979: Honey Bears Uniform Change
From 1976 to 1979, the Honey Bears uniform was a white bodysuit with navy blue sleeves
1979: Death of George Halas Jr.
In 1979, George "Mugs" Halas Jr. died of a heart attack.
1979: Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame founded
In 1979, the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame was founded.
1979: Halas Hall Named After George Halas Jr.
In 1979, the original Halas Hall was named after George Halas Jr., who died unexpectedly.
1980: Honey Bears Uniform Change
From 1980 to 1984, the Honey Bears uniform was a white bodysuit with orange sleeves and navy trim.
1980: Bears record largest home victory against Packers
In 1980, the Chicago Bears recorded their largest home victory with a 61-7 win against the Green Bay Packers.
1980: Annual Play Ends
The Chicago Bears and the Rams continued to play annually until the 1980 NFL season.
1981: McMichael started playing most consecutive games
In 1981, Steve McMichael began a streak of 191 most consecutive games played by a Bear.
1982: Ditka Hired as Coach
In 1982, Mike Ditka was hired to coach the Chicago Bears.
1982: End Zones and Midfield Painted
In the 1982 season, Soldier Field's end zones and midfield were painted for the first time, featuring the word "Chicago" in Highway Gothic in both end zones.
October 31, 1983: George Halas Death
On October 31, 1983, George Halas died, and he remained the club's president and principal owner until his death.
1983: Mark Bortz's first Bear playoff appearances
In 1983, Mark Bortz started his first Bear playoff appearances.
1983: Addition of Wishbone C Logo at Midfield
In 1983, the end zone design returned with the addition of a large wishbone "C" Bears logo painted at midfield.
1984: Honey Bears Uniform Change
From 1980 to 1984, the Honey Bears uniform was a white bodysuit with orange sleeves and navy trim.
1984: Training Camp at University of Wisconsin-Platteville
From 1984, the Chicago Bears held pre-season training camp in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium at University of Wisconsin–Platteville.
1984: Payton Breaks Record
In 1984, Walter Payton broke Jim Brown's NFL career rushing record.
1984: NFC Championship Game
In 1984, the Chicago Bears reached the NFC Championship game, losing to the San Francisco 49ers 23-0.
1984: End of Training Camp at Lake Forest College
In 1984, the Chicago Bears training camp at Lake Forest College ended.
1985: Kevin Butler becomes Bears kicker
In 1985, Kevin Butler became the Chicago Bears kicker.
1985: Playoffs Against Giants
In 1985, The Bears and the New York Giants met in the playoffs.
1985: 1985 Championship Season
In 1985, the Chicago Bears had a championship season but were unable to return to the Super Bowl under Ditka.
1985: Super Bowl Shuffle
In 1985, the Chicago Bears had only one loss, the "unlucky 13th" game of the season against the Miami Dolphins.
1985: Recording of The Super Bowl Shuffle
In 1985, the Chicago Bears recorded the song "The Super Bowl Shuffle," which reached number forty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
1985: Bears Depicted in Punky Brewster Cartoon
In 1985, the Chicago Bears were depicted in an episode of the cartoon version of the NBC sitcom Punky Brewster, playing against the Green Bay Packers.
1985: Tom Thayer played for the Bears
Tom Thayer played for the Chicago Bears from 1985 to 1992.
1986: Bears attempted to agree on a new stadium
Since 1986, the Bears were attempting to agree on a new stadium due to disagreements with the city over Soldier Field's maintenance.
1987: Mugs' Estate Ownership Stake Challenged
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.
1987: Payton last game with the Bears
In 1987, Payton played his last game with the Chicago Bears.
1987: Payton Retires
In 1987, Walter Payton retired from the Chicago Bears.
1988: Cardinals Move to Phoenix
In 1988, the Cardinals moved to the Phoenix metropolitan area in 1988.
1988: Bears Buy Mugs' Ownership Stake
In 1988, the Chicago Bears bought Mugs' 19.67% ownership stake for $17.5 million.
1988: NFC Championship Appearance
In the 1988 season, under coach Ditka, the Bears reached the NFC Championship game, marking their furthest progression in the postseason during Ditka's remaining tenure.
1988: Soldier Field's surface returned to natural grass
In time for the start of the 1988 season, Soldier Field's playing surface was changed back to natural grass.
1990: Playoffs Against Giants
In 1990, The Bears and the New York Giants met in the playoffs.
1990: Ownership Stake Sold to Businessmen
In 1990, the Bears sold the ownership stake to Chicago-area businessmen Andrew McKenna and Patrick Ryan for an undisclosed sum.
1992: Tom Thayer played for the Bears
Tom Thayer played for the Chicago Bears from 1985 to 1992.
1993: McMichael streak ended
From 1981 to 1993, Steve McMichael played 191 consecutive games for the Chicago Bears.
1993: Don Shula surpasses George Halas's coaching victories record
In 1993, Don Shula surpassed George Halas's record for most career victories as a coach.
1993: End of Bill Swerski's Superfans Sketch
In 1993, the "Bill Swerski's Superfans" sketch on Saturday Night Live stopped after Mike Ditka was fired.
1994: Mark Bortz's last Bear playoff appearances
In 1994, Mark Bortz ended his last Bear playoff appearances.
1994: Playoff Berth under Wannstedt
In 1994, under head coach Dave Wannstedt, the Bears earned a playoff berth.
1995: Fox Won NFC rights
From 1956 until Fox won the NFC rights in 1995, WBBM-TV was the Bears' unofficial "home" station
1995: "Bearman" Cheerleading
In 1995, Don Wachter, also known as "Bearman", decided he could assist the team by cheerleading.
1995: Kevin Butler leaves Bears
In 1995, Kevin Butler left the Chicago Bears.
1995: Previous Playoff Game
The 2006 season marked the first playoff game for the Bears since 1995.
1996: "Bearman" Costume
In 1996, "Bearman" donned his "costume" of face paint, bear head and arms, and a number 46 jersey.
1996: Midfield Logo Changed to Bears Head
In 1996, the midfield wishbone "C" logo was replaced with a large blue Bears head, and the end zone design was painted with "Bears" in cursive.
1996: Washington Redskins Miss Playoffs
The Bears in 2011 were the first team since the 1996 Washington Redskins to miss the playoffs after starting the season 7-1.
March 3, 1997: Halas Hall Complex Opened
On March 3, 1997, the 38-acre Halas Hall complex, located in Lake Forest, Illinois, opened.
1997: Start of Last Place Finishes
In 1997, the Bears began a streak of four consecutive last place finishes within their division.
1997: End of training camp at original Halas Hall
The original Halas Hall at Lake Forest College stopped being used as a training camp after the 1997 season.
1998: Partnership with 'A Safe Place'
Since 1998, the Bears have partnered with 'A Safe Place,' a domestic violence shelter in Waukegan, Illinois.
January 1999: Jauron Hired as Head Coach
In January 1999, Dick Jauron was hired as the head coach after Dave McGinnis backed out of the position.
1999: Walter Payton's Death
In 1999, Walter Payton died from a rare form of liver cancer at the age of 45.
1999: Bears Considered Member of Cheese League
In 1999, the Chicago Bears were considered a member of the "Cheese League," practicing at a different university in Wisconsin.
1999: Orange Bear Head Secondary Logo
In 1999, the Orange Bear Head was introduced as the secondary logo.
1999: Field Artwork Returned to Classic Design
In the 1999 season, the field artwork was returned to the classic design, featuring "Chicago" and the wishbone "C".
1999: Jauron Wins Coaching Debut
Marc Trestman's win in his coaching debut in 2013 marked the fourth time a Bears coach won his debut, after Dick Jauron (1999).
2000: End of Last Place Finishes
In 2000, the Bears concluded a streak of four consecutive last place finishes within their division.
2001: Brian's Song Remake Released
In 2001, a remake of the movie Brian's Song for ABC, starring Sean Maher as Piccolo and Mekhi Phifer as Sayers, was released.
2001: Playoff Berth under Jauron
In 2001, under head coach Dick Jauron, the Bears earned a playoff berth.
2001: Resurgent Season and Playoff Loss
In the 2001 season, Jim Miller became the starting quarterback, leading the Bears to a 13-3 record and division title, but they lost in the Divisional Round to the Philadelphia Eagles.
January 20, 2002: Soldier Field Closed for Rebuilding
On January 20, 2002, Soldier Field was closed for a complete rebuild following a Bears playoff loss. Only the exterior wall of the stadium was preserved.
2002: Training Camp at Olivet Nazarene University
From 2002, the Bears held their summer training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.
2002: Brian Urlacher Featured in Nike Commercials
In 2002, Brian Urlacher, whose jersey was among the league's best-selling, was featured on Nike commercials with Michael Vick.
2002: Emmitt Smith breaks Walter Payton's NFL rushing record
In 2002, Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys broke Walter Payton's NFL record for career rushing yards.
2002: Smith Surpasses Payton
In 2002, Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys surpassed Walter Payton's NFL career rushing record.
2002: Renovations to Soldier Field
In 2002, the Chicago Bears had to relocate games due to renovations at Soldier Field.
2002: Setback Season
The 2002 season saw a setback for the Bears, as the team went 4-12.
September 27, 2003: Soldier Field Reopened After Rebuild
On September 27, 2003, Soldier Field reopened after undergoing a complete rebuild, the second in its history. The rebuilt stadium is often referred to as "New Soldier Field".
2003: Super Fans Appearance by Horatio Sanz
In 2003, Horatio Sanz made a single appearance as a Super Fan for the Cubs on "Weekend Update" on SNL.
2003: Improved Record but Missed Postseason
In 2003, the Bears improved to a 7-9 record, but still missed the postseason, leading to Jauron's firing.
2003: Staley Da Bear Introduction
In 2003, with the introduction of Staley Da Bear, "Bearman" was forced to stop wearing his costume.
January 15, 2004: Lovie Smith Hired as Head Coach
On January 15, 2004, Lovie Smith was hired as the head coach of the Bears, bringing the Tampa 2 defensive scheme with him.
2005: Nagy Wins AP Award
After the 2018 season, Nagy was named Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA) and Associated Press (AP). He was the first Bears coach to be given the AP award since Lovie Smith in 2005.
2005: "Bearman" Allowed in Costume Again
In 2005, Don Wachter, "Bearman" was allowed in costume again.
2005: Ditka Co-Starred in Kicking & Screaming
In 2005, Mike Ditka co-starred alongside Will Ferrell in the comedy film Kicking & Screaming.
2005: Division Win and Playoff Berth
In 2005, the Bears won their division and reached the playoffs for the first time in four years.
2005: Bears Won NFC North Division
In the 2005 season, the Bears won the NFC North Division and secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoffs, entitling them to at least one home game in the postseason.
January 15, 2006: Bears Hosted Playoff Game at Soldier Field
On January 15, 2006, the Bears hosted their divisional round match against the Carolina Panthers, marking the first playoff game at Soldier Field since its reopening. They lost the game.
February 17, 2006: Soldier Field Stripped of Historic Landmark Designation
On February 17, 2006, Soldier Field was stripped of its National Historic Landmark designation due to negative views of the rebuilt stadium.
November 12, 2006: Devin Hester returns missed field goal for 108-yard touchdown
On November 12, 2006, Devin Hester returned a missed field goal for a 108-yard touchdown, tying a previous record.
2006: NFC North Title and Super Bowl Appearance
In 2006, the Bears clinched their second consecutive NFC North title and earned a trip to Super Bowl XLI, which they lost to the Indianapolis Colts.
2007: Devin Hester records another six touchdown season from returns
In 2007, Devin Hester recorded another six touchdown season from returns.
2008: Matt Forte joins Bears
In 2008, Matt Forte started playing for the Chicago Bears.
April 2, 2009: Acquisition of Jay Cutler
On April 2, 2009, the Bears made a significant trade, acquiring quarterback Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos.
2009: McCaskeys Ranked Among Worst NFL Owners
In 2009, Yahoo! Sports ranked the McCaskeys as the third-worst owners in the NFL, criticizing their management and performance relative to the team's resources.
February 1, 2010: Hiring of Mike Martz
On February 1, 2010, Mike Martz was hired as the team's offensive coordinator.
March 5, 2010: Free Agency Spending Spree
On March 5, 2010, the Bears signed Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor, and Brandon Manumaleuna, spending over $100 million.
November 18, 2010: Franchise Win Number 700
On November 18, 2010, the Bears recorded their 700th franchise win in a game against the Miami Dolphins.
December 20, 2010: Devin Hester sets NFL record for most return touchdowns
On December 20, 2010, Devin Hester set an NFL record for most touchdowns on a punt or kickoff return with his 14th career return.
2010: Previous NFC North Title
In 2018, the Bears clinched the NFC North for the first time since 2010.
2011: Contract Extension for Smith
Following the 2006 season, the club gave Lovie Smith a contract extension through 2011.
2011: Devin Hester breaks the record for the most punt returns
In 2011, Devin Hester broke the record for the most punt returns against the Carolina Panthers.
2011: Packers Win Postseason Meeting
In 2011, the Packers won against the Bears 21-14 en route to a Super Bowl XLV win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2011: Season Injuries and Missed Playoffs
In the 2011 season, injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forté led to a losing streak, and the Bears ultimately missed the playoffs, leading to the firing of Jerry Angelo and resignation of Mike Martz.
2012: Spanish Radio Broadcast of Bears Games
From 2012, Spanish radio station WLEY-FM aired Chicago Bears games.
2012: Charles Tillman sets record for most forced fumbles in a single game
In 2012, Charles Tillman set the record for most forced fumbles in a single game with four against the Tennessee Titans.
March 20, 2013: End of Urlacher's Tenure
On March 20, 2013, Brian Urlacher's 13-year tenure with the Bears ended when both sides failed to agree on a contract.
December 9, 2013: Bears retire Mike Ditka's number 89 jersey
On December 9, 2013, the Chicago Bears retired Mike Ditka's number 89 jersey.
June 16, 2014: Stadium Damaged by Tornado
On June 16, 2014, the Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium at University of Wisconsin–Platteville was damaged by a tornado, prompting the Bears to donate $50,000 to the school relief fund.
2014: Cutler Breaks Records
In 2014, Jay Cutler broke Sid Luckman's franchise record for most career passing yards.
2014: End of Broadcast of Games on WLEY-FM
In 2014, WLEY-FM stopped airing Chicago Bears games.
2014: Improvements Compared to 2014 Season
In Fox's first season as head coach during 2015, the Bears saw improvements from the 2014 season, doubling the number of projected wins.
January 8, 2015: Ryan Pace Hired as General Manager
On January 8, 2015, the Bears hired Ryan Pace as their new general manager.
January 16, 2015: John Fox Hired as Head Coach
On January 16, 2015, John Fox accepted a four-year deal to become the head coach of the Bears.
2015: Cutler Breaks Records
In 2015, Jay Cutler broke Sid Luckman's franchise record for most career passing touchdowns.
2015: Robbie Gould becomes Bears' all-time scoring leader
In 2015, Robbie Gould became the Chicago Bears' all-time scoring leader, surpassing Kevin Butler.
2015: WRTO and WVIV-FM Air Bears Games in Spanish
Since 2015, WRTO and WVIV-FM air Chicago Bears games in Spanish.
2016: Season Regression and Injuries
In the 2016 season, the Bears regressed heavily, compiling a 3-13 record due to injuries to key players.
June 2017: Bears Employees Help Renovate Shelter
In June 2017, existing and former Bears employees helped renovate 'A Safe Place' by ripping up carpet, painting walls, demolishing a kitchen and building a fence.
2017: Departure of Quarterbacks
In 2017, none of the three quarterbacks (Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley) from the previous season returned to the Bears.
2017: McCaskey Family Buys Shares From Mugs' Children
In 2017, the NFL approved a sale of shares from Mugs' children to the McCaskey family for an undisclosed sum.
2017: Drafting Mitchell Trubisky
In the 2017 NFL draft, the Bears selected quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with the second-overall pick.
January 1, 2018: Firing of John Fox
On January 1, 2018, John Fox was fired as the head coach of the Bears, ending his tenure with a 14-34 record.
January 2018: Hiring of Matt Nagy
In January 2018, the Bears hired Matt Nagy from the Kansas City Chiefs as their new head coach.
December 16, 2018: NFC North Title
On December 16, 2018, the Bears clinched the NFC North for the first time since 2010.
2018: Halas Hall Expanded
In 2018, the Halas Hall complex was expanded again.
2018: Most Wins in First Two Seasons
Matt Nagy's combined 20 wins in 2018 and 2019 were the most by a Bears head coach in his first two seasons.
May 20, 2019: Chicago Bears unveil Top 100 players in franchise history
On May 20, 2019, the Chicago Bears unveiled the Top 100 players in franchise history in honor of the team's centennial anniversary.
June 3, 2019: All-Time Team announcement
During the week of June 3, 2019, the All-Time Team was announced in parts each day.
2019: First Round Draft Picks
During January 2018, the Bears acquired Khalil Mack, including 2019 and 2020 1st round draft picks.
2019: Final Training Camp at Olivet Nazarene University
In 2019, the Bears held their final summer training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.
2020: First Round Draft Picks
During January 2018, the Bears acquired Khalil Mack, including 2019 and 2020 1st round draft picks.
2020: Training Camp Move
In 2019, renovations to Halas Hall were completed, allowing the team to move Training Camp from Ward Field on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois to Lake Forest for 2020.
2020: Franchise Value
In 2020, Forbes magazine reported that the Chicago Bears franchise is worth $3.525 billion, making it the seventh richest franchise in the NFL.
2020: Jim Covert and Ed Sprinkle inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
In 2020, Jim Covert and Ed Sprinkle were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2020: Training Camp Moved to Halas Hall
In 2020, the Bears moved their summer training camp permanently into the recently renovated Halas Hall.
2020: Playoff Appearance and Departure of Trubisky
In the 2020 season, the Bears qualified for the playoffs with an 8-8 record but were defeated by the Saints. The team did not re-sign Trubisky after the season.
June 2021: Bears Submitted Bid to Purchase Arlington International Racecourse
In June 2021, the Chicago Bears submitted a bid to purchase the Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Illinois from Churchill Downs.
September 2021: Bears Entered Agreement to Purchase Arlington International Racecourse
In September 2021, the Chicago Bears entered into an agreement with Churchill Downs to purchase the Arlington International Racecourse for $197.2 million.
2021: Drafting Justin Fields and Firing of Nagy and Pace
In the 2021 season, the Bears drafted Justin Fields, finished with a 6-11 record, and subsequently fired head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace after the season.
January 25, 2022: Hiring of Ryan Poles as General Manager
On January 25, 2022, the Bears hired Ryan Poles as their general manager.
2022: Scheduled End of Agreement with Olivet Nazarene University
Although the Bears had an agreement to continue practicing at Olivet Nazarene University through 2022, they moved the camp permanently into the recently renovated Halas Hall in 2020.
February 15, 2023: Bears purchased Arlington International Racecourse
On February 15, 2023, the sale of the Arlington International Racecourse property, which includes 326 acres of space for potential development, closed.
2023: 59 honorees with connection to the Bears in Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame
As of 2023, there are 59 honorees enshrined in the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame with connection to the Chicago Bears.
2023: Series Lead Against Buccaneers
As of the 2023 season, Chicago currently holds the series lead 40–22 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2023: All-Time Series
As of the 2023 season, the Bears lead the all-time series 36–25–2 against the New York Giants.
2023: Orange Bear Head Becomes Primary Logo
In 2023, the Bears made their primary logo the orange bear head, previously their secondary logo since 1999.
2023: Worst Record and Number One Draft Pick
The Bears opened the 2023 season with a 0-4 record, extending the team losing streak to 14 (longest in team history; dating back to the 2022 season). 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.
April 24, 2024: Bears Revealed Plans for a Domed Lakefront Stadium
On April 24, 2024, the Chicago Bears revealed plans for a $4.7 billion domed lakefront stadium development.
2024: Devin Hester and Steve McMichael inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
In 2024, Devin Hester and Steve McMichael (primary contributors) were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2024: First Overall Pick Used on Caleb Williams
The first overall pick was used on USC quarterback Caleb Williams in 2024.
January 21, 2025: Hiring of Ben Johnson
On January 21, 2025, the Bears hired Ben Johnson as the franchise's 18th head coach.
January 28, 2025: As of January 28, 2025
As of January 28, 2025, the Chicago Bears history continues to unfold.
February 6, 2025: Virginia McCaskey Death
On February 6, 2025, Virginia McCaskey died at the age of 102.
2025: Jared Allen inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
In 2025, Jared Allen (minor contributor) was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
