Four Active Chicago Bears Made the #Top100Bears All-Timers List

While Jay Cutler’s inclusion on the list of 100 best players in Chicago Bears history was bound to get some push-back, I think the future is bright for the other player whose spot on the list came as a bit of a surprise:

BOOM! Safety Eddie Jackson is already one of the 100 best players in franchise history.

Jackson has played 30 games in a Bears uniform and already has a special place in Bears lore. Two years into his pro career and Jackson already has eight interceptions, five defensive touchdowns, three forced fumbles, and four recoveries. Jackson was a bright spot in what was ultimately John Fox’s final season in Chicago before really picking up steam as a second-year player. He earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors last season while picking up Pro Football Focus’ best grade for a safety last season. Jackson’s placement on the list is a tip of the cap for a player who just has two years under his belt, but already has etched his name in the franchise’s history books by immediately making an impact upon arrival. And if he keeps it up, there is no doubt he will continue to make his way up this list whenever it’s time to re-work it in the future.

And to think, he’s not the only active Bear to make the cut:

Akiem Hicks, Kyle Long, and Khalil Mack landed in the 51-75 range. That means there are at least four active Bears on the list of 100 best players in franchise history. You figured Mack was going to make an appearance somewhere because that’s how influential he was on last year’s team. But there is clearly a ton of respect for what Hicks and Long have done in the trenches, even if their contributions have flown under the radar in past years.

Here is the complete first wave of Bears to crack the franchise’s top-100 list:

100. Patrick Mannelly
99. Doug Plank
98. Trace Armstrong
97. Bobby Joe Green
96. Eddie Jackson
95. Larry Morris
94. Jim Dooley
93. Herman Lee
92. Bill Osmanski
91. Bob Wetoska
90. Beattie Feathers
89. Mike Pyle
88. Joey STernaman
87. Luke Johnsos
86. Allan Ellis
85. Jay Cutler
84. Tom Thayer
83. Willie Gault
82. George Blanda
81. Brandon Marshall
80. Alshon Jeffery
79. Dennis McKinnon
78. Donnell Woolford
77. Bennie McRae
76. J.C. Caroline
75. Akiem Hicks
74. Kyle Long
73. Tommie Harris
72. Mark Carrier
71. Kevin Butler
69. Bill Wade
68. Dick Barwegan
67. Ed O’Bradovich
66. Mike Hartenstine
65. Dick Gordon
64. James Williams
63. Mike Brown
62. Robbie Gould
61. Willie Galimore
60. Khalil Mack
59. Julius Peppers
58. Wally Chambers
57. Jim Osborne
56. Roosevelt Taylor
55. Johnny Lujack
54. Ed Brown
53. Jim McMahon
52. Joe Kopcha
51. Keith Van Horne

This list is pretty wild if you really think about it. In addition to four active players, there are two kickers (Kevin Butler, Robbie Gould), a long-snapper (Patrick Mannelly), a defensive lineman who flipped to the other side of the line to be a Pro Bowl right tackle (James “Big Cat” Williams), and the two best quarterbacks in modern franchise history (Cutler, Jim McMahon). And yet, we still have the top-50 to get to by the time it’s all said and done.

The Bears have a storied history and have featured stars throughout the years. I can’t wait to see who makes the top half of this list!

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

Padres vs. Giants: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The San Francisco Giants (0-1), led by Jorge Soler, visit Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (2-1) at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the...

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

The St. Louis Cardinals (0-1), led by Paul Goldschmidt, visit Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) at 10:10 PM ET on Friday.The article below will give you everything you need to watch Los Angeles take on St. Louis.When...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Friday, the New York Yankees (1-0) play Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch...

Rays vs. Blue Jays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

At Tropicana Field on Friday, Aaron Civale versus Chris Bassitt will be the pitching matchup when the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) play the Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), starting at 6:50 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

more bears news