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. As one of the NFL's founding franchises in 1920, they share this distinction with the Arizona Cardinals (originally also from Chicago). The Bears played at Wrigley Field until 1970 and have since played at Soldier Field. They are a significant part of Chicago's sporting identity.
1919: Formation of the Fellowship Club Football Team
In 1919, the A.E. Staley Company's Fellowship Club formed a football team.
1919: Club Founded in 1919
In 1919, the Chicago Bears club was founded by A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company owner Augustus Eugene Staley.
1919: Team Played Independently and Won Championship
In 1919, the Decatur Staleys played independently and won 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 to 1959, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cardinals were crosstown rivals.
1920: Halas wins his coaching debut
In 1920, George Halas won in his coaching debut, after Neill Armstrong (1978) and Dick Jauron (1999).
1920: Oldest Continuing Matchup in 1920
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: Logo Use in 1920
In 1920, when the team was known as the Decatur Staleys, they used A. E. Staley's logo to help promote the company.
1920: Job Offer to Run the Staley Company Football Team
In March of 1920, George Chamberlain offered a man a job working for the A.E. Staley Company in Decatur to run their football team.
1920: Inaugural Season in American Professional Football Association
The 1920 Decatur Staleys completed their inaugural regular season in the newly formed American Professional Football Association.
1921: Ownership Transferred in 1921
In 1921, A.E. Staley transferred team ownership to George Halas and paid him $5,000 for a sponsorship deal.
1921: Control of Team Turned Over
In 1921, full control of the Decatur Staleys team was turned over to George Halas and Edward "Dutch" Sternaman.
1921: Rivalry Between Bulldogs and Staleys/Bears
In 1921, the Canton/Cleveland Bulldogs and the Staleys/Bears rivalry grew between two NFL's powerhouses, games usually attracting the most fans, and the outcome often decided the fate of NFL Championship (1921–1924).
1921: NFL Championship Win
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 to prevent their signing a particular player, and then got them re-admitted after the Bears had closed the deal with that player.
1921: First Meeting in 1921
In 1921, the first meeting between the Chicago Bears (then known as the Staleys) and the Green Bay Packers resulted in a 20-0 shutout victory for the Bears.
January 28, 1922: Incorporation as "New League Team" in 1922
On January 28, 1922, the Chicago Bears were incorporated at an NFL meeting as "a new league team" following a name change.
1922: Name Change to Bears and Move to Wrigley Field
In 1922, George Halas changed the team name from the Staleys to the Bears. The team moved into Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball franchise.
1922: League Renamed NFL
In 1922, the American Professional Football Association was renamed the National Football League (NFL).
1923: Rochester Jeffersons Allow 50 Points
In 1923, the Rochester Jeffersons allowed at least 50 points in consecutive games.
1924: Bulldogs Win Over Bears
In 1924, Guy Chamberlin led the Bulldogs to three consecutive championships, including a tiebreaker win over the Chicago Bears.
1924: First Ever Ejection in 1924
The 1924 matchup between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers was notable for featuring the first-ever ejection of players in a game in NFL history.
1925: Red Grange Joins the Bears and a Barnstorming Tour
In 1925, the Chicago Bears added Red Grange to the roster to draw more fans to their games. The Bears went on a barnstorming tour, and after a loss to San Francisco, they cruised to a 60–3 victory over a semi-pro team called the Portland All Stars.
1925: Packers Claim First Win Over the Bears in 1925
In 1925, the Green Bay Packers claimed their first win over the Chicago Bears, 14-10.
1926: Grange Leaves for the AFL's New York Yankees
In 1926, after failed contract talks, Red Grange left the Chicago Bears to play for the AFL's New York Yankees. Joey Sternaman also joined the Chicago Bulls of the AFL. The Bears replaced Grange with Paddy Driscoll.
1929: Losing Season
In 1929, the Chicago Bears had their only losing season.
1930: Face off in 1930
In 1930, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears faced off since the Lions' inception, when they were known as the Portsmouth Spartans, with the Spartans winning, 7–6, and Chicago winning the second meeting, 14–6.
1930: Training Camp Moves to Mills Stadium
In 1930, the Staleys/Bears moved their summer training camp to Mills Stadium in Chicago.
1931: Training Camp at Loyola University Chicago
From 1931 to 1934, the Staleys/Bears conducted training camps at Loyola University Chicago, Logan Square Baseball Park, Notre Dame University and Lane Tech College Prep High School, respectively.
1931: Sternaman Offers Stake to Halas in 1931
In 1931, Sternaman offered to sell his stake to Halas for $38,000, who then raised funds by selling ownership stakes to others.
1932: Postseason game in 1932
In 1932, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions met in the first-ever postseason game in NFL history, with the Bears winning the game 9–0. The game also was known as the first pro "indoor football" game, as the game took place in indoor Chicago Stadium due to a blizzard at the time.
1932: "Unofficial" NFL Championship Win
In 1932, the Chicago Bears defeated the Portsmouth Spartans in the first NFL playoff game, which was also the first indoor American football game. After the financial losses of the 1932 Championship season, Dutch Sternaman left the organization.
1933: Bidwill purchased stock in 1933
Charles Bidwill purchased $5,000 in stock in 1933 and also arranged a bank loan for the remaining $5,000 needed to pay off Sternaman.
1934: Training Camp at Lane Tech College Prep High School
From 1931 to 1934, the Staleys/Bears conducted training camps at Loyola University Chicago, Logan Square Baseball Park, Notre Dame University and Lane Tech College Prep High School, respectively.
1934: Bears complete 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
In 1934, the Chicago Bears played against the New York Giants in the NFL Championship where the Giants defeated the Bears 30–13 on a cold, icy day at the Polo Grounds.
1934: Sneakers Game
In 1934, the New York Giants won the Sneakers Game in the 1934 NFL Championship Game.
1935: Training Camp at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy
In 1935, the Staleys/Bears began conducting training camps at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy (Delafield, Wisconsin) for a decade.
1937: Bears and Rams in Same Division
In 1937, the Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bears played in the same division in the NFL.
1937: Rivalry with Washington Commanders Heats Up
In 1937, the rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders intensified when Washington drafted quarterback Sammy Baugh, leading to frequent matchups in the NFL Championship Game.
1939: Sid Luckman Passing 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, forming Bears' farm team
In 1939, George Halas purchased the American Association's Newark Tornadoes, renaming them the "Bears" to serve as a farm team for the Chicago Bears.
1940: Bears achieve largest victory margin in NFL history
In 1940, the Chicago Bears achieved the largest margin of victory in an NFL game with a 73–0 win over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game.
1940: NFL Championship Game Victory Over Washington Redskins
In 1940, the Chicago Bears had a famous 73–0 victory over the Washington Redskins at Griffith Stadium in the NFL Championship Game. The secret behind the one-sided outcome was the introduction of a new offensive formation by George Halas. The T-formation involved two running backs instead of the traditional one in the backfield.
1940: Bears defeat Commanders 73-0
In 1940, the Chicago Bears set a record by defeating the Washington Commanders 73-0 in the NFL Championship game, which to this day, stands as the largest margin of victory in league history.
1940: First Chicago Bears Logo Introduced in 1940
In 1940, the first Chicago Bears logo was introduced, depicting a black bear running with a football.
1941: Bears Won the 1941 meeting
In 1941, the Bears won the meeting with the Packers, 33-14, and eventually defeated the New York Giants in the 1941 NFL Championship Game.
1941: First Playoff meeting between Bears and Packers
In 1941, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers had their only other playoff meeting.
1942: Bears complete another undefeated 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: New Logo Introduced in 1946
In 1946, the Chicago Bears introduced a new logo featuring a navy blue bear on top of a football.
1947: Era of Success
From 1940 to 1947, quarterback Sid Luckman led the Chicago Bears to victories in four out of the five NFL Championship Games in which they appeared.
1949: Stock Purchased in 1949
In 1949, Violet, Charles Bidwill's widow, had her stocks bought off of her for $50,000.
1950: Sid Luckman Passing Records
Between 1939 and 1950, Sid Luckman set the Chicago Bears' passing records for most career touchdowns, yards, and completions.
1950: Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame established
In 1950, the Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame was established.
1956: WBBM-TV becomes Bears unofficial 'home' station
From 1956, WBBM-TV became the Chicago Bears' unofficial "home" station.
1958: Record Attendance at Bears Game
In 1958, a Chicago Bears game against the Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams attracted 100,470 fans, the largest attendance in Bears history.
1959: End of Crosstown Rivalry
From 1920 to 1959, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cardinals were crosstown rivals.
1959: Cardinals Moved to St. Louis in 1959
In 1959, the Cardinals moved to St. Louis, lessening the intensity of the rivalry with the Bears.
1961: Mike Ditka joins the Bears
In 1961, Mike Ditka began his career as a tight end for the Chicago Bears, a position he held until 1966.
1961: Yogi Bear helps the Bears in "Rah Rah Bear"
In 1961, the Chicago Bears were depicted in the Hanna-Barbera animated short "Rah Rah Bear", where Yogi Bear helps the Bears beat the New York Giants.
1961: San Diego Chargers set record for pick-sixes
In 1961, the San Diego Chargers set the NFL record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in a season.
1962: "Wishbone-C" Logo Introduced in 1962
In 1962, the Bears introduced their trademark "wishbone-C" logo, initially white with a black outline, due to the addition of logos on helmets.
1963: Halas Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
In 1963, George Halas was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's first induction class.
1963: Halas, Nagurski, and Grange inducted into 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 rebounded to capture its eighth NFL Championship.
July 27, 1964: Death of Bears Players 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 after Galimore's Volkswagen left the road on a curve and rolled.
1964: Bears suffer largest defeat in club history
In 1964, the Chicago Bears suffered their largest defeat in club history with a 52–0 loss against the Baltimore Colts.
1966: Mike Ditka's Bears career ends
In 1966, Mike Ditka's tenure as a tight end for the Chicago Bears concluded. He had been with the team since 1961.
1967: George Halas quote in 1967
In 1967, George Halas quoted 'That's The Way the Ball Bounces'.
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: Last successful fair catch kicks in 1968
In 1968, the rivalry also featured one of the last successful fair catch kicks, when Bears kicker Mac Percival kicked the game-winning field goal.
1969: Last Place Finish
In 1969, the Chicago Bears finished last place in their division.
1969: End of Division Play with Rams
The 1969 NFL season marked the end of the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams playing in the same division.
February 1970: Halas Elected First President of the NFC
At the February 1970 merger between the NFL and the American Football League, the owners honored George Halas by electing him the first President of the National Football Conference.
1970: Last Place Finish
After the NFL merger, the Chicago Bears finished the 1970 season in last place in their division.
1970: End of Wrigley Field Era
At the end of the 1970 season, the Chicago Bears ended their time playing home games at Wrigley Field and moved to Soldier Field.
1970: Brian Piccolo's Death
In 1970, Brian Piccolo died of embryonal carcinoma.
1970: Renovations to Wrigley Field
In 1970, the Chicago Bears played at an alternative location because of renovations to Wrigley Field.
1971: Soldier Field Field Change
Before the 1971 season, Soldier Field's playing surface was changed from natural grass to astroturf.
1971: Brian's Song TV Movie
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 outgrowing Wrigley Field, their home for 50 years.
1972: Bears farm team practice discontinued
In 1972, the Chicago Bears' practice of having a farm team was discontinued due to the collapse of minor leagues and NFL labor disputes.
1972: Miami Dolphins' Undefeated Season
In 1972, the Miami Dolphins achieved the distinction of being the only franchise in NFL history to have an undefeated season and post-season.
1972: 1972 Miami Dolphins
In 1985, the Miami Dolphins kept the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only perfect team in NFL history by defeating the Chicago Bears.
1972: Comparison to 1972 Miami Dolphins undefeated season
The 1972 Miami Dolphins were compared to the Bears, as they won the championship game unlike the Chicago Bears team during their undefeated seasons in 1934 and 1942.
1975: Training Camp at Lake Forest College
From 1975 to 1984, the Chicago Bears conducted their summer training camp at Lake Forest College.
1975: Walter Payton begins playing for Bears
In 1975, Walter Payton started his career with the Chicago Bears, playing running back for 13 seasons until 1987.
1975: Walter Payton Drafted
In 1975, the Chicago Bears drafted Walter Payton from Jackson State University with their first pick.
1976: Chicago Honey Bears Beginning in 1976
In 1976, the Chicago Bears had a cheerleading squad called the Chicago Honey Bears.
1977: Halas Hall Opens
In 1977, Halas Hall opened and served as the practice and front office facility for the Bears until 1997.
1977: Payton Awarded NFL MVP
Walter Payton won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in the 1977–78 season.
1978: Neill Armstrong wins his coaching debut
In 1978, Neill Armstrong won in his coaching debut, after George Halas (1920) and Dick Jauron (1999).
1978: NFL Changes to 16-Game Season
In 1978, the NFL changed to a 16-game regular season.
1979: Mugs Halas Jr.'s Death in 1979
Following Mugs Halas Jr.'s death in 1979, Halas Sr. owned a 49.35% interest in the Bears, with Mugs' estate owning 19.67%.
1979: Uniform Change in 1979
From 1976 to 1979, the Chicago Honey Bears' uniform was a white bodysuit with navy blue sleeves.
1979: Death of George "Mugs" Halas Jr.
In 1979, George "Mugs" Halas Jr. died of a heart attack.
1979: Halas Hall Named After George Halas Jr.
In 1979, Halas Hall was named after George Halas Jr., who died unexpectedly.
1979: Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame founded
In 1979, the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame was founded to honor sports greats associated with the Chicago metropolitan area.
1980: Uniform Change in 1980
From 1980 to 1984, the Chicago Honey Bears' uniform was a white bodysuit with orange sleeves and the navy was moved to the trim.
1980: Bears achieve largest home victory against Packers
In 1980, the Chicago Bears achieved their largest home victory with a 61–7 result against the Green Bay Packers.
1980: End of Annual Games with Rams
The 1980 NFL season was the last year Chicago Bears and the Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams played annually.
1981: Steve McMichael begins consecutive game streak
In 1981, Steve McMichael started his streak of 191 consecutive games played as a Bear, which lasted until 1993.
1982: Mike Ditka Hired as Bears Coach
In 1982, George Halas hired Mike Ditka, a former Bears tight end, as the team's new head coach. Ditka's tough demeanor earned him the nickname "Iron Mike".
1982: Unpainted End Zones and Midfield
Until the 1982 season, Soldier Field's end zones and midfield were unpainted.
October 31, 1983: George Halas Death
On October 31, 1983, George Halas, the club's president and principal owner, passed away.
November 1, 1983: Virginia McCaskey Takes Over Ownership
On November 1, 1983, Virginia McCaskey took over as the majority owner of the team, a day after the death of George Halas. Her husband, Ed McCaskey, succeeded her father as the chairman of the board.
1983: Halas Dies
George Halas was the only living founder of the NFL at the February 1970 merger between the NFL and the American Football League and held the position of the President of the National Football Conference until his death in 1983.
1983: Mark Bortz begins playoff appearances with Bears
In 1983, Mark Bortz began his playoff appearances with the Chicago Bears, totaling 13 between 1983 and 1994.
1983: Return of End Zone Design
In 1983, the end zone design returned to Soldier Field, with the addition of a large wishbone "C" Bears logo painted at midfield.
1984: Training Camp at Lake Forest College Ends
From 1975 to 1984, the Chicago Bears conducted their summer training camp at Lake Forest College.
1984: Uniform Change in 1984
From 1980 to 1984, the Chicago Honey Bears' uniform was a white bodysuit with orange sleeves and the navy was moved to the trim.
1984: Training Camp at UW-Platteville Begins
From 1984 to 2001, the Chicago Bears held pre-season training camp in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium at University of Wisconsin–Platteville.
1984: Payton Broke NFL Rushing Record
In 1984, Walter Payton eclipsed Jim Brown's NFL career rushing record.
1984: Bears lose NFC Championship
In 1984, the Chicago Bears reached the NFC Championship game but were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 23-0.
1985: Last Championship Until 1985
After the 1963 win, the Chicago Bears wouldn't win another championship until 1985.
1985: Bears' Championship Season
Following their championship season in 1985, the Bears remained competitive but did not return to the Super Bowl under Coach Ditka.
1985: Kevin Butler starts his career as a Bears kicker
In 1985, Kevin Butler started his ten-year career as a kicker for the Chicago Bears, scoring 1,116 points by 1995.
1985: Bears Win Super Bowl XX and Ditka uses Perry as running back
In 1985, Mike Ditka used defensive tackle "Refrigerator" Perry as a running back for a touchdown against the Packers, re-igniting the Bears-Packers rivalry. The Bears also won Super Bowl XX, their first NFL Championship since the AFL-NFL merger, dominating the NFL with their 46 defense and recording "The Super Bowl Shuffle".
1985: Tom Thayer begins playing for the Bears
In 1985, Tom Thayer began playing for the Chicago Bears; he remained with the team until 1992 and later became a color commentator for Bears games.
1985: "The Super Bowl Shuffle" Recorded
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. The team also went on to win Super Bowl XX.
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, where the Bears are playing the Green Bay Packers.
1985: Bears Lose to Dolphins on Monday Night Football
In 1985, the Miami Dolphins handed the Chicago Bears their first and only regular-season loss on Monday Night Football, preserving the 1972 Dolphins' undefeated record.
1985: Super Bowl XX Win
In the 1985 season, the Chicago Bears reached their greatest modern period of success under head coach Mike Ditka, winning Super Bowl XX.
1985: Playoff meeting in 1985
The Chicago Bears and New York Giants met in the 1985 playoffs, en route to a Super Bowl championship for the Bears in Super Bowl XX.
1986: Bears Seek New Stadium
Since 1986, the Chicago Bears attempted to agree on a new stadium, causing disagreements with the city.
1987: Ownership Stake Dispute in 1987
In 1987, Mugs' estate executor wanted to sell his ownership stake, leading to legal challenges regarding a 1981 corporate reorganization and ownership rights.
1987: Walter Payton ends playing for Bears
In 1987, Walter Payton concluded his 13-season career as a running back for the Chicago Bears.
1988: Cardinals Moved to Phoenix Area in 1988
In 1988, the Cardinals moved to the Phoenix metropolitan area, further diminishing the importance of their rivalry with the Bears.
1988: Sale of Ownership Stake in 1988
In 1988, the Chicago Bears bought Mugs' father's 19.67% ownership stake of the team for $17.5 million.
1988: Bears reach NFC Championship
In the 1988 season, Mike Ditka led the Bears to the NFC Championship game, marking their furthest postseason advancement during the remainder of his tenure.
1988: Soldier Field Returns to Natural Grass
In time for the start of the 1988 season, Soldier Field's playing surface was changed back to natural grass.
1990: Ownership Stake Sale in 1990
In 1990, the Chicago Bears sold the ownership stake to Chicago-area businessmen Andrew McKenna and Patrick Ryan.
1990: Playoff meeting in 1990
The Chicago Bears and New York Giants also met in the 1990 playoffs, en route to a Super Bowl championship for the Giants in Super Bowl XXV.
1992: Tom Thayer finishes playing for the Bears
In 1992, Tom Thayer's tenure as a player for the Chicago Bears concluded, after which he transitioned to becoming a color commentator for the team's games.
1993: Don Shula surpasses Halas's career victories record
In 1993, Don Shula surpassed George Halas's record for most career victories, which Halas held for coaching the most seasons with 40 and having 324 career victories.
1993: Steve McMichael ends consecutive game streak
In 1993, Steve McMichael's record streak of 191 consecutive games played as a Bear came to an end.
1993: Firing of Mike Ditka ends Superfans sketch
In 1993, the "Bill Swerski's Superfans" sketch on Saturday Night Live, which was inspired by coach Mike Ditka and the Bears' success, stopped after Ditka was fired.
1994: Wannstedt leads Bears to playoffs
In 1994, Dave Wannstedt led the Chicago Bears to the playoffs.
1994: Mark Bortz ends playoff appearances with Bears
In 1994, Mark Bortz ended his playoff appearances with the Chicago Bears, totaling 13 between 1983 and 1994.
1995: "Bearman" cheerleading started in 1995
In 1995, Don Wachter, known as "Bearman", started cheerleading for the Chicago Bears.
1995: Fox wins NFC rights, ending WBBM-TV's role
In 1995, Fox won the NFC rights, ending WBBM-TV's role as the Chicago Bears' unofficial "home" station.
1995: Kevin Butler finishes his career as a Bears kicker
In 1995, Kevin Butler concluded his ten-year career as a kicker for the Chicago Bears, accumulating 1,116 points.
1995: Bears previous playoff game
In 1995, The Chicago Bears had their previous playoff game.
1995: Start of Chicago-St. Louis Rivalries
In 1995, the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams became part of the Chicago-St. Louis rivalries in the major professional leagues.
1996: "Bearman" dons costume in 1996
In 1996, Don Wachter, known as "Bearman", donned his "costume" of face paint, bear head and arms, and a number 46 jersey.
1996: Washington Redskins Miss Playoffs
In 1996, the Washington Redskins missed the playoffs after starting the season 7-1, the first team to do so since then.
1996: New Midfield and End Zone Designs
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 at Soldier Field.
March 3, 1997: Halas Hall Complex Opens
On March 3, 1997, the 38-acre Halas Hall complex opened and was expanded in 2013 and 2018.
1997: Training Camp at Lake Forest College Ends
In 1997, Halas Hall closed, ending the Chicago Bears' practice at Lake Forest College
1997: Bears finish last in division
In 1997, the Chicago Bears began a streak of four consecutive last place finishes within their division.
January 1999: Jauron Hired as Head Coach
In January 1999, the Bears hired Dick Jauron as head coach after Dave McGinnis backed out. Mrs. McCaskey replaced Michael McCaskey with Ted Phillips as president.
1999: Dick Jauron wins his coaching debut
In 1999, Dick Jauron won in his coaching debut, after George Halas (1920) and Neill Armstrong (1978).
1999: Payton's Death
In 1999, Walter Payton died from a rare form of liver cancer at the age of 45.
1999: Bears Part of the "Cheese League"
In 1999, the Chicago Bears were considered a member of the "Cheese League", which consisted of the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Kansas City Chiefs, with each team practicing at a different university in Wisconsin.
1999: Introduction of secondary logo in 1999
In 1999, the orange bear head was introduced as a secondary logo.
1999: Artwork Returned to Classic Design
In the 1999 season, the artwork at Soldier Field was returned to the classic "Chicago" and "C" design.
2000: Bears finish last in division
In 2000, the Chicago Bears concluded a streak of four consecutive last place finishes within their division, which began in 1997.
2001: Jauron leads Bears to playoffs
In 2001, Dick Jauron led the Chicago Bears to the playoffs.
2001: Brian's Song Remake
In 2001, a remake of the movie "Brian's Song" for ABC starred Sean Maher as Piccolo and Mekhi Phifer as Sayers.
2001: Training Camp at UW-Platteville Ends
In 2001, the Chicago Bears left Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium at University of Wisconsin–Platteville for their training camp and donated $250,000 to UW–Platteville for a new computer lab.
2001: Bears division title and playoff loss
In the 2001 season, Jim Miller led the Bears to a 13-3 record and division title, but they lost in the Divisional Round to the Philadelphia Eagles, 33-19.
January 20, 2002: Soldier Field Closed for Rebuild
On January 20, 2002, Soldier Field was closed and rebuilt, preserving only the exterior wall. This occurred the day after the Bears lost in the playoffs.
2002: Training Camp Moves to Olivet Nazarene University
From 2002 to 2019, the Chicago 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 rushing record
In 2002, Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys broke Walter Payton's NFL record for career rushing yards, which stood at 16,726.
2002: Smith Surpassed Payton's Record
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 played at an alternative location due to renovations to Soldier Field.
2002: Bears record setback
In the 2002 season, the Chicago Bears experienced a setback, finishing with a 4-12 record.
September 27, 2003: Soldier Field Reopens
On September 27, 2003, Soldier Field reopened after a complete rebuild. Many fans call the rebuilt stadium "New Soldier Field".
2003: Super Fans return to SNL
In 2003, after a long hiatus, Horatio Sanz made a single appearance on Saturday Night Live as a Super Fan for the Cubs on "Weekend Update".
2003: Introduction of Staley Da Bear and Restriction of "Bearman" in 2003
In 2003, with the introduction of Staley Da Bear, "Bearman" was forced to stop wearing his costume.
2003: Bears miss playoffs and Jauron fired
In the 2003 season, the Bears improved to a 7-9 record but missed the postseason, leading to the firing of coach Dick Jauron.
January 15, 2004: Lovie Smith Hired as Head Coach
On January 15, 2004, Lovie Smith was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, bringing the Tampa 2 defensive scheme to the team.
2005: Nagy named coach of the year
Despite a first-round exit from the playoffs, Matt Nagy was named Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA) and Associated Press (AP) in 2005.
2005: "Bearman" back in costume in 2005
In 2005, "Bearman" Don Wachter was allowed to wear his costume again.
2005: Mike Ditka co-stars in "Kicking & Screaming"
In 2005, Mike Ditka co-starred as himself alongside Will Ferrell in the comedy film "Kicking & Screaming".
2005: Bears win division and reach playoffs
In 2005, the Chicago Bears won their division and reached the playoffs for the first time in four years.
2005: Bears Win NFC North Division
In the 2005 season, the Chicago 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.
January 15, 2006: Bears Lost Playoff Game at Soldier Field
On January 15, 2006, the Chicago Bears hosted (and lost) their divisional round match against the Carolina Panthers. This was the first playoff game at Soldier Field since the stadium reopened.
February 17, 2006: Soldier Field Stripped of Landmark Designation
On February 17, 2006, Soldier Field was stripped of its National Historic Landmark designation.
November 12, 2006: Devin Hester returns missed field goal for touchdown
On November 12, 2006, Devin Hester returned a missed field goal for a 108-yard touchdown, tying the record previously set by teammate Nathan Vasher.
2006: Super Bowl Appearance
During the 2006 season, the Chicago Bears appeared in their second Super Bowl, but lost to the Indianapolis Colts.
2006: Bears reach Super Bowl XLI
In 2006, the Chicago Bears clinched their second consecutive NFC North title and earned a trip to Super Bowl XLI, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts 29-17.
2007: Devin Hester records another six touchdown season
In 2007, Devin Hester recorded another six-touchdown season from returns.
2008: Matt Forte begins career with Bears
In 2008, Matt Forte began his career with the Chicago Bears and later became the closest to Walter Payton's rushing record with 6,985 yards.
April 2, 2009: Bears acquire Jay Cutler
On April 2, 2009, the Bears traded for quarterback Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos, exchanging Kyle Orton and draft picks.
2009: McCaskeys Ranked Among Worst Owners in 2009
In 2009, Yahoo! Sports listed the McCaskeys as the third worst owner in the NFL.
February 1, 2010: Mike Martz hired as offensive coordinator
On February 1, 2010, Mike Martz was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears.
March 5, 2010: Bears spend over $100 million in free agency
On March 5, 2010, the Chicago Bears signed Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor, and Brandon Manumaleuna, spending over $100 million on the first day of free agency.
November 18, 2010: Bears Record 700th Franchise Win
On November 18, 2010, the Chicago Bears secured their 700th franchise win with a victory against the Miami Dolphins.
December 20, 2010: Devin Hester sets NFL record for 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 against the Minnesota Vikings.
2010: Bears last win NFC North
Before December 16, 2018, The Chicago Bears last win the NFC North in 2010.
2011: Smith's contract extension
Following the 2006 season, Lovie Smith received a contract extension through 2011, earning roughly $5 million per year.
2011: Devin Hester breaks record for most punt returns
In 2011, Devin Hester broke the record for the most punt returns against the Carolina Panthers.
2011: Bears season falters after injuries and coaching changes
In 2011, the Bears' season was derailed by injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forté, leading to five straight losses. General manager Jerry Angelo was fired, and offensive coordinator Mike Martz resigned. The Bears traded for Brandon Marshall.
2011: Packers Won the 2011 meeting
In 2011, the Packers won the meeting with the Bears, 21-14, en route to a Super Bowl XLV win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2011: Last Playoff Win
Since 2006, the Chicago Bears have struggled to find regular success, winning their last playoff game in 2011.
2012: Charles Tillman sets forced fumbles record
In 2012, Charles Tillman set the record for most forced fumbles in a single game with four against the Tennessee Titans.
2012: WLEY-FM airs Bears games
In 2012, Spanish radio station WLEY-FM began airing Chicago Bears games.
March 20, 2013: Brian Urlacher's Bears Tenure Ends
On March 20, 2013, Brian Urlacher's 13-year tenure with the Chicago Bears concluded due to a contract disagreement.
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; it is the last number that the Bears retired.
2013: Halas Hall Complex Expanded
In 2013, the 38-acre Halas Hall complex was expanded
June 16, 2014: Bears Donate to UW-Platteville Relief Fund
On June 16, 2014, after Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium at University of Wisconsin–Platteville was damaged by a tornado, the Chicago Bears donated $50,000 to the school relief fund.
2014: Cutler Breaks Passing Records
In 2014, Jay Cutler surpassed Sid Luckman's Bears' passing records for most career touchdowns, yards, and completions.
2014: WLEY-FM stops airing Bears games
In 2014, Spanish radio station WLEY-FM stopped airing Chicago Bears games.
2014: Bears improvement from 2014
In John Fox's first season as head coach, the Bears saw improvements from 2014, finishing the season with a 6-10 record.
January 8, 2015: Ryan Pace Hired as General Manager
On January 8, 2015, Ryan Pace was hired as the new general manager of the Chicago Bears, coming from the New Orleans Saints.
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 Chicago Bears.
2015: Cutler breaks touchdown record
In 2015, Jay Cutler broke Luckman's franchise record for most career passing touchdowns.
2015: End of Chicago-St. Louis Rivalries
In 2015, the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams participation in the Chicago-St. Louis rivalries ended.
2015: Robbie Gould becomes Bears' all-time scoring leader
In Week 5 of the 2015 season, Robbie Gould became the Chicago Bears' all-time scoring leader, surpassing Kevin Butler.
2015: WRTO and WVIV-FM air Bears games in Spanish
Starting in 2015, WRTO and WVIV-FM began airing Chicago Bears games in Spanish.
2016: Bears' worst season since 1978
In the 2016 season, the Chicago Bears had a 3-13 record, their worst since 1978, with injuries to key players like Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer.
June 2017: Renovation of Shelter in June 2017
In June 2017, existing and former Chicago Bears employees helped renovate 'A Safe Place' shelter 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) returned for the Chicago Bears.
2017: Sale of Shares Approved in 2017
In 2017, the NFL approved a sale of shares from Mugs' children to the McCaskey family for an undisclosed sum.
January 1, 2018: John Fox fired as Bears Head Coach
On January 1, 2018, John Fox was fired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears after a 14-34 record during his tenure.
January 2018: Matt Nagy Hired as Head Coach
In January 2018, the Chicago Bears hired Matt Nagy from the Kansas City Chiefs as their new head coach.
December 16, 2018: Bears Clinch NFC North
On December 16, 2018, Matt Nagy's Chicago Bears clinched the NFC North for the first time since 2010 with a 24-17 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
2018: Nagy's wins in 2018
In 2018, Matt Nagy's combined 20 wins in 2018 and 2019 were the most by a Bears head coach in his first two seasons.
2018: Halas Hall Complex Expanded
In 2018, the 38-acre Halas Hall complex was expanded
2018: Last Division Title
Since 2006 the Chicago Bears have struggled to find regular success, winning their last division title in 2018.
May 20, 2019: Bears unveil Top 100 players in franchise history
On May 20, 2019, the Chicago Bears unveiled the Top 100 players in franchise history, as voted on by Don Pierson and Dan Pompei, in honor of the team's centennial anniversary.
June 3, 2019: All-Time Team announced in parts each day
During the week of June 3, 2019, the Chicago Bears' All-Time Team was announced in parts each day, starting with defensive players, followed by specialists, and then offensive players.
2019: Training Camp at Olivet Nazarene University Ends
From 2002 to 2019, the Chicago Bears held their summer training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.
2019: Bears trade draft picks
In 2019, The Chicago Bears traded a package of draft picks that includes 2019 and 2020 1st round draft picks in exchange for linebacker Khalil Mack .
2019: Bears regressed to 8-8 record
In 2019, the Chicago Bears regressed to an 8-8 record, but Matt Nagy's combined 20 wins in 2018 and 2019 were the most by a Bears head coach in his first two seasons.
2020: Franchise Value in 2020
In 2020, Forbes magazine reported the Chicago Bears franchise was worth $3.525 billion, ranking as the seventh richest in the NFL.
2020: Covert and Sprinkle join Hall of Fame
In 2020, Jim Covert and Ed Sprinkle were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2020: Bears trade draft picks
In 2020, The Chicago Bears traded a package of draft picks that includes 2019 and 2020 1st round draft picks in exchange for linebacker Khalil Mack .
2020: Training Camp moves to Lake Forest
In 2020, renovations to Halas Hall were completed, allowing the Chicago Bears to move Training Camp to Lake Forest.
2020: Bears qualify for NFL playoffs and lose to Saints
The Bears qualified for the 2020–21 NFL playoffs, which was expanded to include one additional wildcard team from each conference. The New Orleans Saints defeated the Bears in the opening round of the playoffs, 21–9.
June 2021: Bears Submit Bid for Arlington 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: Agreement to Purchase Arlington 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: Bears draft Justin Fields and fire Nagy and Pace
Prior to the 2021 season, the Chicago Bears drafted Justin Fields. They finished the season with a 6–11 record and fired Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace.
January 25, 2022: Ryan Poles Hired as General Manager
On January 25, 2022, the Chicago Bears hired Ryan Poles as their new general manager.
2022: Agreement to Practice Extended
Although the Chicago 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: Sale of Arlington International Racecourse Closed
On February 15, 2023, the sale of the Arlington International Racecourse, which includes 326 acres of space for potential development, closed.
2023: 59 honorees with Bears connections in Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame
As of 2023, there are 59 honorees enshrined in the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame with connections to the Chicago Bears.
2023: Rivalry with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As of the 2023 season, the Chicago Bears hold a 40–22 series lead against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears and Buccaneers play at least once every four years.
2023: Rams Series Lead
As of the 2023 season, the Chicago Bears hold a 54–39–3 series lead against the Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams.
2023: All-time Series Lead in 2023
As of the 2023 season, the Chicago Bears lead the all-time series against the New York Giants 36–25–2.
2023: Struggles and Draft Pick Trade in 2023
In 2023, the Bears had a 0-4 start, extending their losing streak to 14 games. They finished with a 7-10 record and acquired the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The Bears traded their first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for D. J. Moore and other draft picks.
2023: Primary Logo Change in 2023
In 2023, the Chicago Bears made their primary logo the orange bear head, previously their secondary logo since 1999, while retaining the "C" on helmets and at the 50-yard line.
2024: Hester and McMichael inducted into Hall of Fame
In 2024, Devin Hester and Steve McMichael were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as primary contributors.
2024: Caleb Williams drafted and Matt Eberflus fired in 2024
In 2024, the Bears used their first overall pick on USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Head coach Matt Eberflus was fired on November 29, 2024, with five games remaining in the season.
2024: Bears Consider New Stadium
In 2024, the Chicago Bears considered building a new stadium in the parking area south of Soldier Field on Museum Campus and revealed plans for a $4.7 billion domed lakefront stadium development.
January 21, 2025: Ben Johnson Hired as Head Coach
On January 21, 2025, the Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson as their 18th head coach, aiming to develop quarterback Caleb Williams with Johnson's offensive creativity.
January 28, 2025: As of January 28, 2025
This entry refers to the date January 28, 2025, but does not contain any specific event information.
May 2025: Bears Prioritize Arlington Heights Stadium
In May 2025, due to a lack of public funding, the Chicago Bears informed Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson that they intend to prioritize the Arlington Heights property as the site of their new stadium.
2025: Allen inducted into Hall of Fame
In 2025, Jared Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a minor contributor.
2025: Luther Burden III's Community Impact in 2025
In 2025, newly drafted wide receiver Luther Burden III made a strong impact off the field by providing support to communities in his hometown, hosting free youth camps and earning admiration.
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