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The Chicago Bears are an American football franchise based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division in the National Football League (NFL).
The NFL Draft, officially known as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting",[1] is an annual event which serves as the league's most common source of player recruitment.[2] The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings; the teams with the worst win–loss records receive the earliest picks. Teams that qualified for the NFL playoffs select after non-qualifiers, and their order depends on how far they advanced, using their regular season record as a tie-breaker. The final two selections in the first round are reserved for the Super Bowl runner-up and champion. Draft picks are tradable and players or other picks can be acquired with them.[3]
In 1936, the league introduced the NFL Draft after team owners voted on it in 1935.[4][5] The intention of the draft is to make the NFL more competitive, as some teams had an advantage in signing players.[3][5] From 1947 through 1958 the NFL designated the first overall selection as a "bonus" or "lottery pick". The pick was awarded by a random draw and the winner who received the "bonus pick" forfeited its selection in the final round of the draft and became ineligible for future draws. The system was abolished prior to the 1959 NFL Draft, as all twelve teams in the league at the time had received a bonus choice.[6][7]
Since the first draft, the Bears have selected 95 players in the first round. The team's first-round pick in the inaugural NFL Draft was Joe Stydahar, a tackle from West Virginia University.[8] In the most recent draft, held in 2023, the Bears chose Tennessee tackle Darnell Wright.[8] The Bears have held the first overall pick twice and selected Tom Harmon in 1941 and Bob Fenimore in 1947.[8]
The Bears did not draft a player in the first round on nine occasions, most recently in 2022.[8] Eleven of the team's first-round picks—Dick Butkus, Jim Covert, Mike Ditka, Dan Hampton, Chuck Howley, Sid Luckman, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Joe Stydahar, Clyde Turner, and Brian Urlacher—have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[7][8]
Player selections

Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
† | Indicates the player was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame |
* | Selected number one overall |
Season | The corresponding NFL Draft for a pick |
Pick | Indicates the overall pick number in the draft |
Position | The player's position |
College | The player's college football team |
Position abbreviations | |
---|---|
C | Center |
CB | Cornerback |
DB | Defensive back |
DE | Defensive end |
DT | Defensive tackle |
E | End |
FB | Fullback |
G | Guard |
HB | Halfback |
LB | Linebacker |
QB | Quarterback |
RB | Running back |
S | Safety |
T | Tackle |
TE | Tight end |
WR | Wide receiver |
Notes
- ↑ Chicago traded Ed Manske to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for their 1939 first-round selection (No. 2 overall).[11]
- ↑ Chicago traded guard Dick Bassi and end Les McDonald to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for center John Schiechl. As a result of Schiechl failing to report, the Chicago received Philadelphia's 1941 first-round selection (No. 1 overall).[12][13]
- ↑ Chicago traded back Billy Patterson to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for their 1941 first-round selection (No. 3 overall).[14][15]
- 1 2 Chicago traded quarterback Bobby Layne to the New York Bulldogs (who became the New York Yanks) in exchange for their 1950 first-round selection (No. 3 overall), 1951 first-round selection (No. 10 overall), and cash.[18][19][20][21]
- ↑ Chicago traded two-way player Jim Spavital to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for their 1951 first-round selection (No. 2 overall).[22][23]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 1963 first-round selection (No. 10 overall) to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for fullback Joe Marconi.[24][25]
- ↑ Chicago traded quarterback Ed Brown to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for their 1963 first-round selection (No. 11 overall) and 1964 second-round selection (No. 23 overall).[26]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 1964 second- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 28 and 51 overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for their 1965 first-round selection (No. 3 overall).[28][29]
- ↑ Chicago traded end Angelo Coia and defensive tackle Fred Williams to the Washington Redskins in exchange for their 1965 first-round selection (No. 6 overall).[30][31]
- ↑ The Bears did not submit their first-round selection within the allotted 15 minute time frame. This allowed the New York Giants (previously pick No. 14 overall) the opportunity to select ahead of the Bears (previously pick No. 13 overall).[34]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 1970 first-round selection (No. 2 overall) to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for guard Bob Hyland, halfback Elijah Pitts, and linebacker Lee Roy Caffey.[35][36]
- ↑ Chicago traded guard Bob Hyland and cornerback Bennie McRae to the New York Giants in exchange for their 1972 first-round selection (No. 3 overall).[37][38]
- ↑ Chicago received a 1974 first-round selection (No. 20 overall) from the Los Angeles Rams as compensation for free agent wide receiver Dick Gordon.[39][40]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 1976 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 10 and 68 overall) to the Detroit Lions in exchange for their first-round selection (No. 8 overall).[41]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 1977 fourth-round selection (No. 110 overall) and 1978 first-round selection (No. 20 overall) to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for quarterback Mike Phipps.[42][43][44]
- ↑ Chicago traded defensive tackle Wally Chambers to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for their 1979 first-round selection (No. 4 overall) and tight end Bob Moore.[29]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 1982 second-round selection (No. 32 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for their 1983 first-round selection (No. 18 overall).[45]
- 1 2 Chicago received a 1988 first-round selection (No. 27 overall) and 1989 first-round selection (No. 12 overall) from the Washington Redskins as compensation for free agent linebacker Wilber Marshall.[46][47]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 1989 first-round selection (No. 25 overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for their 1989 second- and third-round selections (Nos. 36 and 65 overall).[48][49]
- ↑ Chicago traded wide receiver Willie Gault to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for their 1989 first-round selection (No. 11 overall) and 1990 third-round selection (No. 63 overall).[50][46][51]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 1996 first-, third, and sixth-round selections (Nos. 18, 83, and 201 overall) to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for their 1996 first-round selection (No. 13 overall).[52]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 1997 first-round selection (No. 11 overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for quarterback Rick Mirer.[53]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 1999 first-round selection (No. 7 overall) to the Washington Redskins in exchange for their 1999 first-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-round selections (Nos. 12, 71, 106, and 144 overall) and 2000 third-round selection (No. 87 overall).[54]
- 1 2 3 Chicago traded their 2003 first-round selection (No. 4 overall) to the New York Jets in exchange for their 2003 fourth- and two first-round selections (Nos. 13, 22, and 116 overall).[55]
- ↑ Chicago traded a 2003 first-round selection (No. 13 overall, received from New York Jets)[upper-alpha 24] to the New England Patriots in exchange for their 2003 first- and sixth-round selections (Nos. 14 and 193 overall).[55]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 2006 first-round selection (No. 26 overall) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for their 2006 second- and third-round selections (Nos. 42 and 73 overall).[56]
- 1 2 Chicago traded their 2009 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 18 and 84 overall), 2010 first-round selection (No. 11 overall), and quarterback Kyle Orton to the Denver Broncos in exchange for their 2009 fifth-round selection (No. 140 overall) and quarterback Jay Cutler.[57]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 2016 first- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 11 and 106 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for their 2016 first-round selection (No. 9 overall).[58]
- ↑ Chicago traded their 2017 first-, third-, and fourth-round selections (Nos. 3, 67, and 111 overall) and 2018 third-round selection (No. 78 overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for their 2017 first-round selection (No. 2 overall).[59]
- 1 2 Chicago traded their 2019 first- and sixth-round selections (Nos. 24 and 196 overall) and 2020 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 19 and 81 overall) to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for their 2020 second- and seventh-round selections (Nos. 43 and 226 overall) and linebacker Khalil Mack.[60]
- 1 2 Chicago traded their 2021 first- and fifth-round selections (Nos. 20 and 164 overall) and 2022 first- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 7 and 112 overall) to the New York Giants in exchange for their 2021 first-round selection (No. 11 overall).[61]
- 1 2 Chicago traded their 2023 first-round selection (No. 1 overall) to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for their 2023 first- and second-round selections (Nos. 9 and 61 overall), 2024 first-round selection (No. yet to be determined), 2025 second-round selection (No. yet to be determined), and wide receiver D. J. Moore.[62]
- ↑ Chicago traded a 2023 first-round selection (No. 10 overall, received from Carolina Panthers)[upper-alpha 32] to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for their 2023 first-round selection (No. 10 overall) and 2024 fourth-round selection (No. yet to be determined).[62]
References
- ↑ "Index - NFL Draft - ESPNDB". ESPN. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ↑ "NFL 2021 Draft date: when and where is it taking place?". Diario AS. February 18, 2021. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- 1 2 "The rules of the NFL Draft". National Football League. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ↑ "36". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- 1 2 "Learn the history of the NFL Draft". National Football League. Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ↑ Signora, Michael; Gilbert, Zak; Drexler, Sam; Enos, Cody; Romanko, Reilly (eds.). "Official 2023 National Football League Record & Fact Book" (PDF). National Football League. p. 529. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- 1 2 "Hall of Famers by Draft Round". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Chicago Bears All-Time Draft History". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ↑ "Brian Urlacher Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Brian Urlacher". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ↑ Jauss, Bill (July 6, 1998). "Bears' Luckman dies". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ↑ "Chicago Bears Trade Bassi And McDonald". The Baltimore Sun. April 23, 1940. p. 16. Retrieved January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Halas Gets Best College Grid Talent For '41 Bears". The Miami News. December 11, 1940. p. 19. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Steelers Get Patterson from Bears". Pittsburgh Press. August 11, 1940. p. 9 (third section). Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ↑ Robinson, Sam (May 21, 2020). "NFL teams that have made three or more first-round picks in one draft". Yardbarker. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ↑ "The NFL once had a draft lottery (and should have one again)". NBC Sports. May 8, 2016. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
- ↑ "NFL Draft Profile". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ↑ Pompei, Dan (June 29, 2023). "Ranking the worst decisions in Bears history: Wrong QB choices, frugality costly". The Athletic. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ↑ "Halas Picks Up Chuck Hunsinger in Layne Deal". The Daily Chronicle. November 23, 1949. p. 9. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "50". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ↑ "NFL Boosts Bell's Salary, Closes Draft". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. January 20, 1951. p. 7. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Linthicum, Jesse A. (January 17, 1951). "Club's No. 1 Pick Lost". The Evening Sun. p. 37. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Pros Draft Few 'Name' Collegians". Berkeley Gazette. January 19, 1951. p. 14. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Chicago Bears Acquire Joe Marconi in Trade". The Bayonne Times. September 10, 1962. p. 9. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Florence, Mal (December 4, 1962). "Oregon State Back First Choice; 49ers Obtain Alexander". The Los Angeles Times. p. 37. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Bears 2014 Media Guide (Chicago)". Chicago Bears. August 2014. p. 338. Retrieved January 15, 2024 – via Archive.org.
- ↑ "Former All-American Dave Behrman Passes Away At Age 73". Michigan State University Athletics. December 9, 2014. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ↑ Robinson, Sam (October 18, 2019). "NFL teams that have made three or more first-round picks in one draft". Yardbarker. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- 1 2 "Ranking the best trades in Bears history". Chicago Bears. April 7, 2017. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ↑ "Redskins Get Williams, Coia Of Bears for Draft Choice". The New York Times. June 10, 1964. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ↑ Mayer, Larry (April 21, 2020). "Chalk Talk: Will Bears consider drafting a QB?". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ↑ "'65 draft produced two Hall of Famers". Chicago Bears. April 11, 2016. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ↑ "Services Scheduled for Former Houston Oiler George Rice". Tennessee Titans. December 29, 2010. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ↑ "George Halas on the Bears getting jumped in the 1969 NFL Draft". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 29, 1969. p. 18. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Pitts and Caffey dealt to Chicago". The New York Times. January 22, 1970. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ↑ Bannon, Terry (August 25, 2004). "These deals didn't work". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ↑ "Giants get M'Rae, Hyland of Bears in move for help". The New York Times. September 14, 1971. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ↑ "72". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ↑ Larkin, Will (July 13, 2019). "Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 55 Dick Gordon". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ↑ "Dallas Offers No Surprise, Drafts Ed Jones". The Odessa American. January 29, 1974. p. 6. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Payton, Mike (April 11, 2022). "NFL Draft: Breaking down every 1st-round trade in Detroit Lions history". Pride Of Detroit. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ↑ Mayer, Larry (April 28, 2022). "Chalk Talk: How often have Bears not had first-round pick?". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Defensive line fools forecasts". Chillicothe Gazette. November 2, 1977. p. 15. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Sunday Scouting report Cleveland at Cincinnati". Democrat and Chronicle. September 16, 1977. p. 38. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Banks, Don. "The Most Botched NFL Draft Pick Ever". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 4, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- 1 2 Murphy, Robert J. (April 23, 1989). "Bears go for defensive muscle". United Press International. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ↑ Potash, Mark (November 5, 2022). "1st-and-10: Bears will miss Roquan Smith, but time will tell how much". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ↑ Wilbon, Michael (April 24, 1989). "Redskins trade for Riggs, Byner, draft Rocker". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ↑ "NFL draft round-by-round". Tampa Bay Times. April 25, 1989. p. 16. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Mayer, Larry (April 24, 2019). "Chalk Talk: Who has been drafted at No. 87?". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Draft Results". The Post-Star. April 24, 1990. p. 23. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "1996 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ↑ "1997 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ↑ "1999 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- 1 2 "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ↑ "2006 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ↑ "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ↑ "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ↑ "2017 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ↑ "2019 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ↑ "2021 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- 1 2 "2023 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.