History of Chicago Bears in Timeline
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago and a member of the NFL's NFC North division. As one of the NFL's founding franchises in 1920, they hold a significant place in the league's history. The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field and are headquartered at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois, where they also hold training camp.
1919: Fellowship Club Formed a Football Team
In 1919, the A.E. Staley Company Fellowship Club formed a football team.
1919: Team Played Independently
In 1919, the Decatur Staleys played independently and won the Central Illinois Championship.
1919: Team Founded as Decatur Staleys
In 1919, the club was founded by A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company owner Augustus Eugene Staley and was owned by the company.
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 Staleys/Bears rivalry with the Chicago Cardinals was key in four out of the first six league titles.
1920: Halas takes over the team
In 1920, George Halas took over the team when it became a charter member of the NFL.
1920: Halas Wins Coaching Debut
In 1920, George Halas was one of the four head coaches in Bears history to win his coaching debut.
1920: Start of the Bears-Cardinals Matchup
In 1920, the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals, then the Chicago Cardinals, began their matchup as an intra-city rivalry, being the only remaining NFL teams from the 1920 APFA season.
1920: Bears Become Charter Member of NFL
In 1920, the Chicago Bears became a charter member of the NFL and have played in over a thousand games since.
1920: Inaugural Season
In 1920, the Decatur Staleys completed their inaugural regular season in the newly formed American Professional Football Association (AFPA).
1920: Chamberlain Telephoned
In March of 1920, George Chamberlain, general superintendent of the A.E. Staley Company, telephoned and asked if he would like to come to Decatur and work for the Staley Company.
1920: Rivalry with Green Bay Packers
The Chicago Bears' biggest rivalry began with the Green Bay Packers in 1920.
1921: Halas Takes Ownership
In 1921, Augustus Eugene Staley transferred ownership of the Decatur Staleys to George Halas.
1921: Halas and Sternaman Take Full Control
In 1921, Halas and Sternaman took full control of the team.
1921: NFL Championship
In 1921, the Chicago Bears captured the NFL Championship.
1921: Moved to Chicago
In 1921, the Chicago Bears relocated to Chicago and began playing their home games at Wrigley Field.
1921: Rivalry with the Green Bay Packers
In 1921, the Chicago Bears' rivalry with the Green Bay Packers began, which is one of the oldest and most storied in American professional sports. In one infamous incident that year, Halas got the Packers expelled from the league in order to prevent their signing a particular player, and then graciously got them re-admitted after the Bears had closed the deal with that player.
1921: Rivalry Between Powerhouses
In 1921, the rivalry between the Canton/Cleveland Bulldogs and the Staleys/Bears began, with games attracting many fans and often deciding the NFL Championship.
1921: First Meeting
The first meeting between the Packers and Bears (then the Staleys) in 1921, was a 20-0 shutout victory for the Bears.
January 28, 1922: Bears Incorporated as New League Team
On January 28, 1922, the Chicago Bears were officially incorporated as "a new league team" at an NFL meeting after 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 and the team moved into Wrigley Field.
1922: League Renamed
In 1922, the American Professional Football Association (AFPA) was renamed the National Football League (NFL).
1923: Rochester Jeffersons Allow 50 Points in Consecutive Games
In 1923, the Rochester Jeffersons became the first team since then until the Bears allowed 50 points in consecutive games.
December 7, 1924: Championship Claimed
On December 7, 1924, the Bears claimed the championship after defeating the Cleveland Bulldogs. However, the NFL had ruled that games after November 30 did not count towards league standings, and the Bears had to settle for second place behind Cleveland.
1924: Bulldogs Defeat Bears
In 1924, Guy Chamberlin led the Bulldogs to three consecutive championships, including a tiebreaker win over the Bears.
1924: First Ejection
The 1924 matchup between the Packers and Bears was notable for featuring the first-ever ejection of players in a game in NFL history.
1925: Packers First Win
In 1925, The Packers claimed their first win over the Bears, 14–10.
1925: Red Grange Added to Roster and Barnstorming Tour
In 1925, the Bears added Red Grange to the roster to draw more fans and defeated the Green Bay Packers, 21–0. Later in 1925, the Bears went on a barnstorming tour where 75,000 people paid to see Grange lead the Bears to a 17–7 victory over the Los Angeles Tigers.
1926: Grange Leaves for AFL
In 1926, Red Grange left the Chicago Bears for the New York Yankees in the newly-formed American Football League (AFL). Star quarterback Joey Sternaman also joined the Chicago Bulls of the AFL. The Bears replaced Grange with Paddy Driscoll and used the money made from the Grange barn-storming tour to sign him. The AFL folded after one season, and Grange would return to the Bears.
1929: First Losing Season
In 1929, the Chicago Bears had their first losing season.
1930: Bears Move to Mills Stadium
In 1930, the Chicago Bears moved their training camp to Mills Stadium in Chicago.
1930: First Game Against Portsmouth Spartans
In 1930, the Detroit Lions, then known as the Portsmouth Spartans, and the Chicago Bears faced off for the first time. The Spartans won the inaugural game with a score of 7-6.
1931: Sternaman Offers Stake to Halas
In 1931, Sternaman offered to sell his stake in the team to Halas for $38,000.
1931: Move to Loyola University Chicago
In 1931, the Chicago Bears moved their training camp to Loyola University Chicago.
1932: Sternaman Left Bears
After the financial losses of the 1932 Championship season, Dutch Sternaman left the Chicago Bears organization. In the 1932 "Unofficial" NFL Championship, the Bears defeated the Portsmouth Spartans in the first NFL playoff game, which was played indoors at Chicago Stadium due to blizzard conditions.
1932: First Postseason Game in NFL History
In 1932, the Chicago Bears and Portsmouth Spartans played in the first-ever postseason game in NFL history, with the Bears winning 9-0 in an indoor game at Chicago Stadium due to a blizzard. The game is also credited with starting the forward pass.
1933: Bidwill Purchases Stock
Charles Bidwill purchased $5,000 in stock in 1933.
1934: NFL Championship Game
In 1934, the Bears played against the New York Giants in the NFL Championship where the Giants, wearing sneakers, defeated the Bears 30–13 on a cold, icy day at the Polo Grounds.
1934: Undefeated Regular Season
In 1934, the Chicago Bears completed an undefeated 13–0 regular season but were defeated by the New York Giants in the championship game.
1934: Training Camp at Lane Tech College Prep High School
In 1934, the Chicago Bears moved their training camp to Lane Tech College Prep High School.
1934: Giants win Sneakers Game
In 1934, the New York Giants won the NFL Championship Game against the Bears in a game known as the "Sneakers Game".
1935: Training Camp at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy
In 1935, the Chicago Bears began a nine-year period of holding their training camp at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin.
1937: Washington drafts Sammy Baugh
In 1937, Washington drafted quarterback Sammy Baugh, intensifying the rivalry between Washington and the Chicago Bears as they frequently met in the NFL Championship Game.
1937: Rams and Bears play in same division
In 1937, the Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bears began playing in the same division in the NFL.
1939: Sid Luckman set Bears' passing records
Between 1939 and 1950, Sid Luckman set the Bears' passing records for most career touchdowns, yards, and completions.
1939: Bears purchase Newark Tornadoes
In 1939, George Halas purchased the Newark Tornadoes of the American Association and renamed them the "Bears". This team served as a farm team for the Chicago Bears, allowing them to develop talent and rehabilitate injured players. Notable figures in Newark included coach Joe Zeller and Gene Ronzani. Sid Luckman was also assigned to Newark for a playoff game that year, where the Bears won 13-6.
1940: NFL Championship Game
From 1940 to 1947, quarterback Sid Luckman led the Bears to victories in four out of the five NFL Championship Games in which they appeared. One famous victory was their 73–0 victory over the favored Washington Redskins at Griffith Stadium in the 1940 NFL Championship Game.
1940: Record Victory in NFL Championship Game
In 1940, the Chicago Bears achieved a 73–0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the NFL Championship Game, setting a record for the biggest margin of victory in an NFL game.
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 remains the largest margin of victory in league history.
1940: First Chicago Bears Logo
In 1940, the first Chicago Bears logo, depicting a black bear running with a football, was introduced.
1941: Bears Win Playoff Meeting
In 1941, the Bears won their playoff meeting against the Packers, 33-14.
1941: First Playoff Meeting between Bears and Packers
In 1941, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers had their first playoff game meeting. This game was only the second playoff meeting between the two rivals when they met again in 2010.
1942: Another Undefeated Regular Season
In 1942, the Chicago Bears completed an undefeated 11–0 regular season but were defeated by the Washington Redskins in the championship game.
1945: Second Losing Season
In 1945, the Chicago Bears had their second losing season.
1946: Second Chicago Bears Logo
In 1946, the second logo featuring a navy blue bear on top of a football was introduced.
1947: Luckman Led Bears
From 1940 to 1947, quarterback Sid Luckman led the Bears to victories in four out of the five NFL Championship Games in which they appeared.
1949: Stock Bought from Widow Violet
In 1949, stock was bought off of Charles Bidwill's widow, Violet, for $50,000.
1950: Sid Luckman set Bears' passing records
Between 1939 and 1950, Sid Luckman set the 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 as Unofficial Home Station
From 1956, WBBM-TV was the Bears' unofficial "home" station.
1958: Record Attendance at Bears Game
In 1958, a game between the Rams and the Chicago Bears attracted 100,470 fans, the largest attendance in Bears history.
1959: Crosstown Rivalry
From 1920 to 1959, the Staleys/Bears rivalry with the Chicago Cardinals was key in four out of the first six league titles.
1959: Bray Inducted
In 1959, Ray Bray was inducted into the Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1960: Benton Inducted
In 1960, Jim Benton was inducted into the Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1961: Bears Featured in "Rah Rah Bear"
In 1961, the Chicago Bears were featured in the Hanna-Barbera animated short "Rah Rah Bear", where Yogi Bear helps them beat the New York Giants.
1961: San Diego Chargers Set Pick-Six Record
In 1961, the San Diego Chargers set a record for pick-sixes, with Brian Urlacher in Week 9 of 2012 being two behind the record.
1962: "Wishbone-C" Logo Introduced
In 1962, the Bears introduced their trademark "wishbone-C" logo.
1963: Halas Enshrined
In 1963, George Halas became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's first induction class.
1963: Original Hall of Fame Inductees
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, which would be their last until 1985.
July 27, 1964: Deaths of Willie Galimore and Bo Farrington
On July 27, 1964, Chicago Bears players Willie Galimore and Bo Farrington died in a car accident near the team's training camp.
1964: Largest Defeat in Club History
In 1964, the Chicago Bears experienced their largest defeat in club history with a 52–0 loss against the Baltimore Colts.
1967: Hall of Fame Inductees
From 1963 to 1967, the Chicago Bears franchise saw 14 individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1967: Williams and Arnett Inducted
In 1967, Fred Williams and Jon Arnett were inducted into the Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1967: Halas retired as coach
In 1967, George Halas retired as coach and spent the rest of his days in the front office.
1967: George Halas Quote
In 1967, George Halas, mentioned - That's The Way the Ball Bounces.
1968: Successful Fair Catch Kick
In 1968, Bears kicker Mac Percival kicked the game-winning field goal after a successful fair catch kick.
1969: Finished Last Place
After the merger, the Chicago Bears finished the 1969 season last place in their division.
1969: Manders Inducted
In 1969, Jack Manders was inducted into the Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1969: End of Division Play with Rams
In 1969, the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams played in the same division for the last time.
February 1970: Halas Honored at NFL Merger
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: Finished Last Place
After the merger, the Chicago Bears finished the 1970 season 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 play elsewhere because of renovations to Wrigley Field.
1970: Played at Wrigley Field through 1970
Through the 1970 season, the Chicago Bears played their home games at Wrigley Field.
1971: Release of "Brian's Song"
In 1971, the American TV movie "Brian's Song", starring Billy Dee Williams and James Caan, was released, depicting the friendship between Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo.
1971: "Brian's Song" aired on TV
In 1971, the American television network ABC aired a movie about Brian Piccolo entitled "Brian's Song", starring James Caan and Billy Dee Williams in the roles of Piccolo and Sayers respectively; Jack Warden won an Emmy Award for his performance as Halas. The movie was later released for theater screenings after first being shown on television.
1971: Bears move to Soldier Field
In 1971, the Chicago Bears moved to Soldier Field after outgrowing Wrigley Field.
1971: Soldier Field changed to astroturf
In 1971, the playing surface of Soldier Field was changed from natural grass to astroturf.
1972: Dolphins Complete Perfect Season
In 1972, the Miami Dolphins completed a perfect season, something the Bears were unable to do in their undefeated seasons.
1972: End of Minor League Affiliations
In 1972, the practice of the Chicago Bears maintaining minor league affiliations ended due to the collapse of several minor leagues and labor disputes within the NFL during the 1970s.
1975: Walter Payton Joins the Bears
In 1975, Walter Payton started playing for the Chicago Bears.
1975: Training Camp at Lake Forest College
In 1975, the Chicago Bears began holding their summer training camp at Lake Forest College.
1975: Drafted Walter Payton
In 1975, the Chicago Bears drafted Walter Payton from Jackson State University with their first pick.
1976: Chicago Honey Bears Formation
In 1976, the Chicago Honey Bears cheerleading squad was formed.
1977: Halas Hall opens
In 1977, Halas Hall became the practice and front office facility for the Bears.
1977: NFL MVP Award
In the 1977–78 season, Walter Payton won the NFL Most Valuable Player award.
1978: Armstrong Wins Coaching Debut
In 1978, Neill Armstrong was one of the four head coaches in Bears history to win his coaching debut.
1978: NFL's Change to 16-Game Seasons
The 2016 Chicago Bears season was the worst since the NFL's change to 16-game seasons in 1978.
1979: Death of George "Mugs" Halas Jr.
Following Mugs' death in 1979, Halas Sr. owned a 49.35% interest in the Bears, and Mugs' estate owned a 19.67% interest.
1979: Uniform Change
From 1976 to 1979, the uniform was a white bodysuit with navy blue sleeves.
1979: George Halas Jr.'s Death
In 1979, George Halas Jr. passed away unexpectedly, and the Halas Hall was named after him.
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
From 1980 to 1984 the Honey Bears uniform changed to a white bodysuit with orange sleeves and navy trim.
1980: End of Annual Games with Rams
In 1980, the Chicago Bears and the Rams continued to play annually.
1980: Largest Home Victory
In 1980, the Chicago Bears recorded their largest home victory with a 61–7 result against the Green Bay Packers.
1981: Steve McMichael's Consecutive Games Record Begins
In 1981, Steve McMichael began his record of 191 consecutive games played as a Bear, which lasted until 1993.
1982: End Zones and Midfield Unpainted
Until the 1982 season, Soldier Field's end zones and midfield were unpainted.
October 31, 1983: Death of George Halas
On October 31, 1983, George Halas passed away, remaining the club's president and principal owner until his death.
November 1, 1983: Virginia McCaskey Takes Over as Majority Owner
On November 1, 1983, following the death of George Halas, his daughter Virginia McCaskey became the majority owner of the Chicago Bears, and her husband Ed McCaskey became the chairman of the board. Their son Michael also became the president of the team.
1983: Halas Death
In 1983, George Halas died. He had maintained full control of the Bears until his death.
1983: Mark Bortz Playoff Appearances
In 1983, Mark Bortz started his 13 Bear playoff appearances.
1983: Introduction of End Zone Design and Midfield Logo
In 1983, the end zone design returned, with the addition of a large wishbone "C" Bears logo painted at midfield.
1984: Uniform Change
From 1980 to 1984 the Honey Bears uniform changed to 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 at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville.
1984: Payton Broke Record
In 1984, Walter Payton eclipsed Jim Brown's NFL career rushing record.
1984: End of Training Camp at Lake Forest College
In 1984, the Chicago Bears ended their summer training camp at Lake Forest College.
1984: Bears Lose NFC Championship Game
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: Bears Remain Competitive
After the 1985 championship season, the Bears remained competitive throughout the 1980s, but did not return to the Super Bowl during Mike Ditka's tenure as head coach.
1985: Last Championship Until 1985
In 1963, the Chicago Bears captured their eighth NFL Championship, which would be their last until 1985.
1985: Kevin Butler Joins the Bears
In 1985, Kevin Butler joined the Chicago Bears.
1985: Tom Thayer Joins Bears
In 1985, Tom Thayer played for the Chicago Bears, before becoming a color commentator from 1985 to 1992.
1985: Playoff meeting en route to Super Bowl XX
In 1985, the Bears and Giants met in the playoffs, with the Bears winning en route to their Super Bowl XX championship.
1985: Release of "The Super Bowl Shuffle"
In 1985, the Chicago Bears recorded "The Super Bowl Shuffle". The song reached number forty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy Award. The Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX by a then-record margin of 46–10.
1985: Bears 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: Bears Win Super Bowl XX
In 1985, the Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX, securing their ninth NFL Championship, marking their first since the AFL-NFL merger. The Bears dominated the NFL with their 46 defense and recorded the novelty rap song "The Super Bowl Shuffle". The team suffered only one loss during the regular season.
1985: Dolphins Hand Bears Only Loss
In 1985, the Miami Dolphins handed the Chicago Bears their first and only regular-season loss, preserving the 1972 Dolphins' status as the only perfect team in NFL history.
1985: Super Bowl XX Win
In the 1985 season, the Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX under head coach Mike Ditka.
1986: Bears Attempt to Agree on New Stadium
Since 1986, the Chicago Bears had been attempting to agree on a new stadium, due to disagreements with the city over Soldier Field's maintenance.
1987: Estate Stake Dispute
In 1987, Mugs' estate executor wanted to sell his ownership stake and challenged the legality of a 1981 corporate reorganization, while his heirs wanted to keep it.
1987: Walter Payton's Last Game
In 1987, Walter Payton played his last game for the Chicago Bears.
1987: Payton Retired
In 1987, Walter Payton retired from the Chicago Bears.
1988: Cardinals Move to Phoenix
In 1988, the Cardinals moved to the Phoenix metropolitan area, further reducing the importance of their rivalry with the Chicago Bears.
1988: Bears Buy Mugs' Ownership Stake
In 1988, the Chicago Bears bought Mugs' 19.67% ownership stake of the team for $17.5 million.
1988: Soldier Field Returns to Natural Grass
In 1988, the playing surface of Soldier Field was changed back to natural grass.
1988: Bears Reach NFC Championship Game
In the 1988 season, Mike Ditka led the Chicago Bears to the NFC Championship, marking their furthest progression in the postseason during the latter part of his tenure as coach.
1990: Playoff meeting en route to Super Bowl XXV
In 1990, the Bears and Giants met in the playoffs, with the Giants winning en route to their Super Bowl XXV championship.
1990: Sale to McKenna and Ryan
In 1990, the Bears sold the ownership stake to Chicago-area businessmen Andrew McKenna and Patrick Ryan.
1993: Shula Breaks Halas' Victories Record
In 1993, Don Shula surpassed George Halas' record for most career victories.
1993: End of McMichael's Consecutive Games Record
In 1993, Steve McMichael's record of 191 consecutive games played as a Bear ended.
1993: "Bill Swerski's Superfans" Sketch Ended
In 1993, after Mike Ditka was fired, the recurring sketch "Bill Swerski's Superfans" on Saturday Night Live, which was inspired by Ditka's success and popularity, stopped airing.
1994: Mark Bortz Playoff Appearances End
In 1994, Mark Bortz ended his 13 Bear playoff appearances.
1994: Bears Reach Playoffs Under Wannstedt
In 1994, under head coach Dave Wannstedt, the Chicago Bears reached the playoffs. It was the only time Wannstedt led the team to the playoffs.
1995: "Bearman" Begins Cheerleading
In 1995, Don Wachter, also known as "Bearman", started cheerleading for the team.
1995: Fox Won NFC Rights
In 1995, Fox won the NFC rights, ending WBBM-TV's status as the Bears' unofficial "home" station.
1995: Kevin Butler Leaves the Bears
In 1995, Kevin Butler left the Chicago Bears.
1995: Bears Win Playoff Game
The Chicago Bears won a playoff game in 1995.
1996: "Bearman" Dons Costume
In 1996, "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 a 7-1 start, being the first team to do so since then until the Bears missed the playoffs in 2012 with a 7-1 start.
1996: Midfield Logo Changed to Bears Head
In 1996, the midfield wishbone "C" was changed to a large blue Bears head, and the end zone design was painted with "Bears" in cursive.
March 3, 1997: New Halas Hall Complex Opened
On March 3, 1997, the 38-acre complex for the Chicago Bears headquarters opened.
1997: Bears Suffer Last Place Finish
In 1997, the Chicago Bears suffered a last-place finish within their division, beginning a streak of four consecutive last-place finishes.
1997: Halas Hall Closure
Until 1997, Halas Hall was the practice and front office facility for the Bears.
January 1999: Dick Jauron Hired as Head Coach
In January 1999, the Chicago Bears hired Dick Jauron as their head coach after Dave McGinnis backed out of the position. Soon after Jauron's hiring, Mrs. McCaskey replaced her son Michael as president with Ted Phillips.
1999: Jauron Wins Coaching Debut
In 1999, Dick Jauron was one of the four head coaches in Bears history to win his coaching debut.
1999: Payton Died
In 1999, Walter Payton died from a rare form of liver cancer at the age of 45.
1999: Member of the Cheese League
In 1999, the Chicago Bears were considered a member of the "Cheese League", practicing at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville.
1999: Return to Classic Field Design
In 1999, the artwork was returned to the classic "Chicago" and "C" on the Soldier Field.
1999: Secondary Logo Change
Since 1999, the orange bear head became the Bears' secondary logo.
2000: Bears Suffer Last Place Finish
In 2000, the Chicago Bears suffered a last-place finish within their division, continuing a streak of four consecutive last-place finishes.
2001: "Brian's Song" Remake
In 2001, a remake of the movie "Brian's Song" for ABC, starring Sean Maher and Mekhi Phifer, was released.
2001: End of Training Camp at University of Wisconsin–Platteville
In 2001, the Chicago Bears ended their pre-season training camp at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville.
2001: Bears Win NFC Central
In 2001, the Chicago Bears won the NFC Central division, earning a playoff berth.
2001: Bears Reach Playoffs Under Jauron
In 2001, under head coach Dick Jauron, the Chicago Bears reached the playoffs. It was the only time Jauron led the team to the playoffs.
2001: Bears Resurgent Season
In the 2001 season, Jim Miller took over as the starting quarterback and helped lead the Chicago Bears to a 13–3 record and a division title. However, they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
January 20, 2002: Soldier Field closed for rebuilding
On January 20, 2002, Soldier Field was closed for a complete rebuild, preserving only the exterior wall.
2002: Training Camp at Olivet Nazarene University Begins
From 2002, the Chicago Bears held their summer training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.
2002: Urlacher Featured in Nike Commercials
In 2002, Brian Urlacher, whose jersey was among the league's best-selling, was featured in Nike commercials with Michael Vick.
2002: Smith Breaks Payton's Record
In 2002, Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys broke Walter Payton's NFL record for career rushing yards.
2002: Renovations to Soldier Field
In 2002, the Chicago Bears had to find an alternative location to play their home games due to renovations taking place at Soldier Field.
2002: Bears Have Setback Season
In the 2002 season, the Chicago Bears experienced a setback, finishing with a 4–12 record.
September 27, 2003: Reopening of New Soldier Field
On September 27, 2003, the rebuilt Soldier Field, often referred to as "New Soldier Field", reopened after a complete reconstruction.
2003: Horatio Sanz as Super Fan
In 2003, Horatio Sanz made a single appearance as a Super Fan for the Cubs on "Weekend Update" on SNL.
2003: Introduction of Staley Da Bear
In 2003, Staley Da Bear was introduced, leading to "Bearman" being forced to stop wearing his costume.
2003: Bears Improve But Miss Postseason
In the 2003 season, the Chicago Bears improved their record to 7–9, but still missed the postseason. Dick Jauron was subsequently fired after the season.
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, becoming their third head coach since Mike Ditka. Smith brought the Tampa 2 defensive scheme to Chicago.
2005: "Bearman" Costume Reinstated
In 2005, "Bearman" was allowed to wear his costume again.
2005: 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 under head coach Lovie Smith.
2005: Bears win NFC North Division
In the 2005 season, the Chicago Bears won the NFC North Division and secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
2005: Nagy Named Coach of the Year
Matt Nagy was named Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA) and Associated Press (AP), and was the first Bears coach to be given the AP award since Lovie Smith in 2005 and the fifth in team history. This happened in 2018.
January 15, 2006: First Playoff Game at Reopened Soldier Field
On January 15, 2006, the Chicago Bears hosted their divisional round match against the Carolina Panthers, marking the first playoff game at Soldier Field since its reopening, although they lost.
February 17, 2006: Soldier Field Loses Historic Landmark Designation
On February 17, 2006, Soldier Field was stripped of its National Historic Landmark designation.
November 12, 2006: Hester's 108-Yard Touchdown
On November 12, 2006, Devin Hester returned a missed field goal for a 108-yard touchdown, tying the record held by Nathan Vasher.
2006: Struggles After 2006
After 2006, the Chicago Bears struggled to find regular success.
2006: Bears Clinch NFC North Title and Reach Super Bowl XLI
During Week 13 of the 2006 season, the Chicago Bears clinched their second consecutive NFC North title, won their first playoff game since 1995, and earned a trip to Super Bowl XLI, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts 29–17.
2006: Super Bowl Appearance
During the 2006 season, the Chicago Bears appeared in their second Super Bowl, but lost to the Indianapolis Colts.
2007: Hester Records Another Six Touchdowns
In 2007, Devin Hester recorded another six touchdown returns.
2008: Matt Forte Joins the Bears
In 2008, Matt Forte started playing for the Chicago Bears.
April 2, 2009: Bears Acquire Jay Cutler
On April 2, 2009, the Chicago Bears made a significant trade, acquiring quarterback Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos in exchange for Kyle Orton and draft picks.
2009: McCaskeys Ranked Among Worst NFL Owners
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 Sign Defensive and Offensive Players
On March 5, 2010, the Chicago Bears signed Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor, and Brandon Manumaleuna, investing over $100 million in free agency.
November 18, 2010: Bears Record Franchise Win Number 700
On November 18, 2010, the Chicago Bears recorded their 700th franchise win against the Miami Dolphins.
December 20, 2010: Hester Sets Touchdown Record
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 Clinch NFC North
On December 16, 2018, the Chicago Bears clinched the NFC North for the first time since 2010.
2011: Lovie Smith Gets Contract Extension
After the 2006 season, the Chicago Bears gave Lovie Smith, the lowest-paid head coach in the NFL, a contract extension through 2011 at approximately $5 million per year.
2011: Playoff Win Drought Started
From 2011 to 2026, the Bears went fifteen years without a playoff win.
2011: Hester Breaks Punt Return Record
In 2011, Devin Hester broke the record for the most punt returns against the Carolina Panthers.
2011: Packers Win Playoff Meeting
In 2011, the Packers won their playoff meeting against the Bears, 21-14.
2011: Bears Season Derailed by Injuries
The Chicago Bears started the 2011 season strong but were derailed by injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forté. At season's end, general manager Jerry Angelo was fired, and offensive coordinator Mike Martz resigned.
2012: Tillman Sets Fumble Record
In 2012, Charles Tillman set the record for most forced fumbles in a single game with four against the Tennessee Titans.
2012: Spanish Broadcast on WLEY-FM
In 2012, Spanish radio station WLEY-FM began airing Chicago Bears games.
2012: Bears Miss Playoffs, Lovie Smith Fired
In 2012, the Chicago Bears became the first team in NFL history to return six interceptions for touchdowns in the first seven games. However, they missed the playoffs with a 10–6 record, and Lovie Smith was fired on December 31.
March 20, 2013: Brian Urlacher's Tenure Ends
On March 20, 2013, Brian Urlacher's 13-year tenure with the Chicago Bears ended when both sides failed to agree on a contract.
December 9, 2013: Ditka's Jersey Retired
On December 9, 2013, the Chicago Bears retired Mike Ditka's number 89 jersey.
2013: Halas Hall Complex Expansion
In 2013, the Halas Hall complex was expanded.
June 16, 2014: Damage to UW–Platteville Stadium by Tornado
On June 16, 2014, the UW–Platteville stadium was damaged by a tornado, and the Chicago Bears donated $50,000 to the school relief fund.
2014: End of Broadcast on WLEY-FM
In 2014, Spanish radio station WLEY-FM stopped airing Chicago Bears games.
2014: Improvements from 2014 Season
In John Fox's first season as head coach of the Chicago Bears, the team saw improvements from the 2014 season, doubling the projected win total.
2014: Luckman's records eclipsed
Many of Sid Luckman's records stood for decades before they were eclipsed by Jay Cutler in 2014.
January 8, 2015: Ryan Pace Hired as General Manager
On January 8, 2015, Ryan Pace of the New Orleans Saints was hired as the new general manager for the Chicago Bears.
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 Passing Touchdown Record
In 2015, Jay Cutler broke Sid Luckman's franchise record for most career passing touchdowns.
2015: Robbie Gould All-Time Scoring Leader
In Week 5 of the 2015 season, Robbie Gould became the Chicago Bears' all-time scoring leader.
2015: Bears Games Aired on WRTO and WVIV-FM
Since 2015, WRTO and WVIV-FM have been airing Chicago Bears games in Spanish.
2016: Bears Compile Worst Record Since 1978
During the 2016 season, the Chicago Bears compiled a 3–13 record, which was their worst since the NFL's change to 16-game seasons in 1978.
June 2017: Shelter Renovation by Bears Employees
In June 2017, existing and former Bears employees helped renovate 'A Safe Place', a domestic violence shelter in Waukegan, Illinois.
2017: Quarterbacks Do Not Return for the 2017 Season
In 2016, Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley played for the Bears, and did not return for the 2017 season.
2017: Sale of Shares to McCaskey Family
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 Head Coach
On January 1, 2018, John Fox was fired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, ending his tenure with a 14–34 record.
January 2018: Matt Nagy Hired as Head Coach
In January 2018, Matt Nagy was hired as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears, coming from the Kansas City Chiefs.
December 16, 2018: Bears Clinch NFC North
On December 16, 2018, the Chicago Bears clinched the NFC North for the first time since 2010 with a 24–17 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
2018: Halas Hall Complex Further Expansion
In 2018, the Halas Hall complex underwent further expansion.
2018: Nagy's Combined Wins in 2018 and 2019
In 2019, the Chicago Bears regressed to an 8–8 record. However, 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: Top 100 Players Unveiled
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 Announced
During the week of June 3, 2019, the Chicago Bears' All-Time Team was announced in parts each day, starting with the defensive players.
2019: Bears Regress to 8-8 Record
In 2019, the Chicago Bears regressed to an 8–8 record. However, Nagy's combined 20 wins in 2018 and 2019 were the most by a Bears head coach in his first two seasons.
2019: Bears Send Draft Picks
The Chicago Bears sent a package of draft picks including 2019 and 2020 1st round draft picks.
2019: End of training camp at Olivet Nazarene University
Until 2019, the Chicago Bears held their summer training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.
2020: Training Camp Moved to Lake Forest
In 2019, renovations to Halas Hall were completed, allowing the Chicago Bears to move Training Camp from Ward Field to Lake Forest for 2020.
2020: Franchise Value
In 2020, Forbes magazine reported the Chicago Bears franchise to be worth $3.525 billion, making it the seventh richest franchise in the NFL.
2020: Covert and Sprinkle Join Hall of Fame
In 2020, Jim Covert and Ed Sprinkle joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Centennial class.
2020: Bears Season and Playoff Appearance
In 2020, the Bears started with a 5-1 record but finished 8-8, qualifying for the NFL playoffs as a wildcard team. They were defeated by the New Orleans Saints in the first round. Mitch Trubisky was not re-signed after the season.
2020: Training Camp at Halas Hall
In 2020, the Chicago Bears began hosting their training camp at Halas Hall after major renovations to the facilities.
2020: Playoff berth
Since 2020, the 2025 season marked the first time the Bears qualified for the playoffs.
2020: Bears Send Draft Picks
The Chicago Bears sent a package of draft picks including 2019 and 2020 1st round draft picks.
June 2021: Bears 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: 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 Coaching Changes
In 2021, the Bears drafted Justin Fields and signed Andy Dalton. The Bears finished the season with a 6-11 record and missed the playoffs. Coach Nagy and General Manager Ryan Pace were subsequently fired.
January 25, 2022: Ryan Poles Hired as General Manager
On January 25, 2022, Ryan Poles was hired as the general manager for the Bears.
2022: Agreement to Practice Through 2022
Although the Chicago Bears had an agreement to continue practicing at Olivet Nazarene University through 2022, they moved the camp into Halas Hall in 2020.
February 15, 2023: Sale of Arlington International Racecourse Finalized
On February 15, 2023, the sale of the Arlington International Racecourse property to the Chicago Bears was finalized.
2023: Hall of Fame Honorees
As of 2023, there are 59 honorees enshrined in the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame with connections to the Bears.
2023: Bears hold series lead against Buccaneers
As of the 2023 NFL season, the Chicago Bears hold a 40-22 series lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2023: Dolphins Hold Series Lead Over Bears
As of the 2023 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins hold a 10–4 series lead over the Chicago Bears.
2023: Struggles and Draft Pick Trade
During the 2023 season, the Bears had a franchise-record 10-game losing streak and finished with a 3-14 record, securing the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. The team traded the pick to the Carolina Panthers for D. J. Moore and multiple draft picks, and had a 7-10 record for the season.
2023: Primary Logo Change
In 2023, the Bears made their primary logo the orange bear head, which was previously their secondary logo since 1999.
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.
2024: Acquiring First Overall Pick
In 2024, the Bears acquired the first overall pick in the NFL draft from the Carolina Panthers due to a previous trade.
2024: Drafting Caleb Williams and Firing Matt Eberflus
In 2024, the Bears drafted Caleb Williams and fired head coach Matt Eberflus with five games remaining in the season. Eberflus had a 14-32 record overall with the Bears.
2024: Consideration of New Stadium Near Soldier Field
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, Ben Johnson was hired as the Bears' 18th head coach, known for his offensive creativity to help develop Caleb Williams.
February 6, 2025: Death of Virginia McCaskey
On February 6, 2025, Virginia McCaskey passed away at the age of 102.
May 2025: Focus Shifts to Arlington Heights Stadium
In May 2025, due to a lack of public funding for the Soldier Field location, the Chicago Bears informed Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson that they aimed to build a new stadium on the Arlington Heights property.
September 2025: Minority Stake Sale
In September 2025, a sale of a minority stake in the team valued the Chicago Bears at $8.9 billion.
September 2025: McKenna Family Sells Stake
In September 2025, following the passing of Andrew McKenna two years prior, the McKenna family sold their minority stake of 2.35% to the McCaskey and Ryan families in a deal that valued the team at $8.9 billion.
2025: As of Date
As of 2025, several Bears players were enshrined in Helms Athletic Foundation Pro Football Hall of Fame
2025: Bears lead all-time series vs. Giants
As of the 2025 season, the Chicago Bears lead the all-time series against the New York Giants with a record of 37-25-2.
2025: Allen Inducted into Hall of Fame
In 2025, Jared Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2026: Playoff Win Drought Ended
From 2011 to 2026, the Bears went fifteen years without a playoff win.
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