Chicago Bears All Quarter Century team headlined by a controversial QB pick, versatile weapons, and a daunting defensive presence
The Chicago Bears have had some truly dominant players over the last 25 years on both sides of the ball. Those players helped the team reach a Super Bowl in 2006, make six different playoff appearances, and win five NFC North titles in that span.Last week, ESPN released the All Quarter Century team (2000-2025) for […]
The Chicago Bears have had some truly dominant players over the last 25 years on both sides of the ball. Those players helped the team reach a Super Bowl in 2006, make six different playoff appearances, and win five NFC North titles in that span.
Last week, ESPN released the All Quarter Century team (2000-2025) for the entire NFL. A few Bears' players cracked the league-wide list and seeing the attention it generated, I wanted to do a similar process focusing only on the Bears.
So, without further ado, here's the Chicago Bears All Quarter Century team starting off with a very controversial selection.
Quarterback: Caleb Williams
That's right. I'm going with Caleb Williams as QB1, even after only one season with the Chicago Bears.
Frankly, it's the only choice that makes sense. Sure, I could have gone with Jay Cutler or Rex Grossman, and some fans would even pick Justin Fields. But, I'm making the executive decision here and in going the direction I feel is right.
Caleb Williams is destined to be the best QB this team has ever seen. Even with all the turmoil in his rookie season, Williams still posted a Top-5 passing season in franchise history. His goal is to change the QB narrative in Chicago and play here for 20 years. He's easily the best pick for this position.
Running Back: Matt Forte and David Montgomery
As for running back, what a tandem this would be in the backfield. This is a lightning and thunder duo with Matt Forte and David Montgomery.
Forte brought the juice to the offense and excelled as a receiver during his time in Chicago while posting two Pro Bowl seasons. With Montgomery, this offense can rotate in the power, something we're seeing out of him to this day in Detroit.
I wanted to find a way to add Jordan Howard to this unit. However, he only played three seasons in Chicago, but man, he was an underrated play-maker early on in his NFL career with the Bears.
Wide Receiver: Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall and DJ Moore
We're adding a lot of size to the passing game with these three. The Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall duo of course had to make the list considering they each posted 1,000+ yards in 2013.
When it came to choosing the third WR for this team, it was between DJ Moore and Allen Robinson, and people forget the kind of player Robinson was in Chicago.
Ultimately, Moore gives the unit the most versatility, especially paired with Jeffery and Marshall as a guy who can run the screen game and be a downfield threat.
Tight End: Desmond Clark
This was honestly the toughest decision in the entire process. To me, it came down to choosing between Greg Olsen, Desmond Clark, Martellus Bennett, and Cole Kmet.
When factoring in a full career, Olsen is the clear pick, but I'm mainly focusing on the player's career in Chicago, with a few exceptions. Fact is, Olsen played just four seasons in Chicago before really reaching his peak in Carolina.
The decision to go with Clark was simple. He compiled the best stats during his time in Chicago. The one thing that might given Bennett an edge is his Pro Bowl season in 2014. My other Clark argument is that he played every game in six of his 12 seasons.
FLEX: Tarik Cohen (RB)
I had to find a way to get Tarik Cohen on this list, so, we're throwing in a FLEX spot. Cohen is the ideal flex/gadget player.
With his small stature and quickness, no defense could stop this guy. As a returner, Cohen was one of the best in the league as well. Everyone wishes we can get just one more season seeing this guy catch defenses by surprise.
Offensive Line: Charles Leno Jr. (LT), Joe Thuney (LG), Olin Kreutz (C), Kyle Long (RG), and Fred Miller (RT)
Surprisingly, this turned out to be a really strong offensive line. Charles Leno was a Pro Bowl selection in 2018 and ended up starting 80 consecutive games for the Bears from 2016-2020. Joe Thuney was a personal call and while he haven't seen him play yet for the Bears, he brings championship pedigree and leadership. Olin Kreutz is a given, make six consecutive Pro Bowls from 2001-2006. Kyle Long had a strong start to his NFL career making three Pro Bowls in his first three seasons. Then, we have Fred Miller, a veteran who provided a steady presence on the right side to close his career.
Defensive Line: Khalil Mack (EDGE), Julius Peppers (EDGE), Akiem Hicks (DT), and Tommie Harris (DT)
Here's where things start to get dominant for this team. On the defensive front, pairing Khalil Mack with the HOFer Julius Peppers is absolutely ridiculous.
While both players ended up playing for multiple teams, some of their best seasons came with the Bears. Both are dangerous edge rushers who can wreck a game.
On the interior, the duo of Akiem Hicks and Tommie Harris is just as dangerous with a combined four Pro Bowl selections and a combined 59.5 sacks between the two.
Linebacker: Brian Urlacher, Roquan Smith, and Lance Briggs
This is the chef's kiss for this entire team. No other team in the NFL has this kind of linebacker room over the last 25 years.
Brian Urlacher is one of the best to do it and was the LB3 on ESPN's league-wide team. Roquan Smith was playing up to that high standard during his first five seasons with the Bears and still is with the Ravens. And if you have Urlacher, you're going to have to have Lance Briggs by his side, who added seven straight Pro Bowls himself.
I'm honestly putting this trio up against any LB trio in the league in any era. Having these three in the middle can carry this team on their own.
Cornerback: Jaylon Johnson, Kyle Fuller, and Charles Tillman
Speaking of trios, this cornerback combination is perfect for the secondary.
You have a shutdown defender in Jaylon Johnson who can lock up opposing #1 targets. A ball-hawk specialist in Kyle Fuller, who totaled 19 interceptions and 82 pass deflections in six seasons. And the turnover machine in Charles "Peanut" Tillman.
There's simply no where to throw the ball to against this trio without risking disaster in some shape or form. A very underrated combination if these three played together.
Safety: Mike Brown and Eddie Jackson
Back deep, I'm going to go with two free safeties. Mike Brown and Eddie Jackson can rotate between free and strong, but these are the best two guys for the position.
Both players had the ability to take any turnover to the house, regardless of distance. Brown had seven defensive touchdowns in his career while Jackson had six as well.
Throwing deep is not going to be an option against this opportunistic pairing.
Returners: Devin Hester and Cordarrelle Patterson
Finally, the easiest call on the team. ESPN nailed it with this one.
Devin Hester is the greatest return man of all-time and was even inducted to the Hall of Fame as a return specialist. The only player who's come close to what Hester did on special teams is Cordarrelle Patterson. Don't forget, we also get to mix in Tarik Cohen back deep for some trick plays on punt and kick return.
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