List of Chicago Bears seasons

Last updated

The Chicago Bears franchise was founded as the Decatur Staleys, a charter member of the American Professional Football Association (APFA). The team moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1921 and changed its name to the Bears in 1922, the same year the APFA changed its name to the National Football League (NFL). [1] [2] This list documents the franchise's completed seasons from 1920 to present, including postseason records and results from postseason games. [3] [4]

Contents

The Chicago Bears have played over 1,000 games in their history, and have had eight NFL Championships victories and one Super Bowl win. The Bears' nine championships are the second most by any team in NFL history. The franchise has captured 18 NFL divisional titles and four NFL conference championships. The Bears have also recorded the second most regular season victories of any NFL franchise. [5] [6] [7]

The franchise has experienced three major periods of continued success in their history. The first period of success came from 1932 to 1946 when the Bears won six NFL Championships. In this period the Bears participated in the first National Football League playoff game, the first NFL Championship Game, and became the American football sports dynasty of the 1940s. The Bears played in four straight NFL Championship Games between 1940 and 1943, winning three of them, including an NFL record 73–0 victory over the Washington Redskins in 1940. [8] [9] The second period of success was between 1984 and 1991 when the Bears captured six NFC Central Division titles in eight years and won Super Bowl XX. [10] [11] A brief period of success stretched from 2005 to 2007 when the franchise captured two straight NFC North titles and a NFC Championship title, which earned them a berth in Super Bowl XLI, a game that the Bears lost to the Indianapolis Colts. [12] [13]

Despite their historic championship record and long periods of success, the Bears have also experienced periods of failure in their history. The franchise finished in last place within its division five times in the 1970s. [14] In 1971, the team moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field to play its home games. In the mid- to late 1990s and early 2000s, the Bears posted six seasons with 10 or more losses. In the 1969 season, the franchise posted their worst regular season record with a 1–13 showing. [15]

Soldier Field, current home of the Chicago Bears SoliderFieldAug2004.jpg
Soldier Field, current home of the Chicago Bears

Legend

(#)The order of league championship won by the franchise
FinishFinal position in league, division, or conference
T-#Finished tied in that position with one or more teams
NFL champions (1920–1969)
Super Bowl champions (1970–present)
Conference champions
Division champions
Wild Card berth
One-game playoff berth

Season records

Season Team League ConferenceDivision Regular season Postseason resultsAwards Head Coaches Ref.
FinishWLTPct
Decatur Staleys
1919 1919 Ind.610.857Named Central Illinois Champions Robert E. Brannan [5] [a]
1920 1920 APFA 2nd1012.846The APFA did not hold playoff games George Halas [5] [a]
Chicago Staleys
1921 1921 APFA 1st 911.864Named APFA Champions George Halas [5] [b]
Chicago Bears
1922 1922 NFL 2nd930.750The NFL did not hold playoff games until 1932George Halas [5]
1923 1923 NFL2nd921.792 [5]
1924 1924 NFL2nd614.727 [5]
1925 1925 NFL7th953.618 [5]
1926 1926 NFL2nd1213.844 [5]
1927 1927 NFL3rd932.714 [5]
1928 1928 NFL5th751.577 [5]
1929 1929 NFL9th492.333 [5]
1930 1930 NFL3rd941.679 Ralph Jones [5]
1931 1931 NFL3rd850.615 [5]
1932 1932 NFL1st716.714Named NFL Champions (2) [5] [c]
1933 1933 NFLWestern1st1021.808Won NFL Championship (3) (Giants) 23–21George Halas [5] [d]
1934 1934 NFLWestern1st13001.000Lost NFL Championship (at Giants) 13–30 [5] [e]
1935 1935 NFLWesternT-3rd642.583 [5]
1936 1936 NFLWestern2nd930.750 [5]
1937 1937 NFLWestern1st911.864Lost NFL Championship (Redskins) 21–28 [5]
1938 1938 NFLWestern3rd650.545 [5]
1939 1939 NFLWestern2nd830.727 [5]
1940 1940 NFLWestern1st830.727Won NFL Championship (4) (at Redskins) 73–0 [5] [f]
1941 1941 NFLWestern1st1010.909Won Divisional playoff (Packers) 33–14
Won NFL Championship (5) (Giants) 37–9
[5] [g]
1942 1942 NFLWestern1st11001.000Lost NFL Championship (at Redskins) 6–14George Halas (5–0)
Hunk Anderson & Luke Johnsos (6–0)
[5] [e]
1943 1943 NFLWestern1st811.850Won NFL Championship (6) (Redskins) 41–21 Sid Luckman (MVP)Hunk Anderson & Luke Johnsos [5]
1944 1944 NFLWesternT-2nd631.650 [5]
1945 1945 NFLWestern4th370.300 [5]
1946 1946 NFLWestern1st821.773Won NFL Championship (7) (at Giants) 24–14George Halas [5]
1947 1947 NFLWestern2nd840.667 [5]
1948 1948 NFLWestern2nd1020.833 [5]
1949 1949 NFLWestern2nd930.750 [5]
1950 1950 NFLNationalT-1st930.750Lost Conference playoff (at Rams) 14–24 [5] [h]
1951 1951 NFLNational4th750.583 [5]
1952 1952 NFLNational5th570.417 [5]
1953 1953 NFLWestern4th381.292 [5]
1954 1954 NFLWestern2nd840.667 [5]
1955 1955 NFLWestern2nd840.667 [5]
1956 1956 NFLWestern1st921.792Lost NFL Championship (at Giants) 7–47 Paddy Driscoll [5]
1957 1957 NFLWestern5th570.417 [5]
1958 1958 NFLWesternT-2nd840.667George Halas [5]
1959 1959 NFLWestern2nd840.667 [5]
1960 1960 NFLWestern5th561.458 [5]
1961 1961 NFLWesternT-3rd860.571 [5]
1962 1962 NFLWestern3rd950.643 [5]
1963 1963 NFLWestern1st1112.857Won NFL Championship (8) (Giants) 14–10 George Halas (COY) [5]
1964 1964 NFLWestern6th590.357 [5]
1965 1965 NFLWestern3rd950.643 George Halas (COY) [5]
1966 1966 NFLWestern5th572.429 [5]
1967 1967 NFLWesternCentral2nd761.536 [5] [i]
1968 1968 NFLWesternCentral2nd770.500 Jim Dooley [5]
1969 1969 NFLWesternCentral4th1130.071 [5]
1970 1970 NFL NFC Central 4th680.429 [5] [j]
1971 1971 NFLNFCCentral3rd680.429 [5]
1972 1972 NFLNFCCentral4th491.321 Abe Gibron [5] [k]
1973 1973 NFLNFCCentral4th3110.214 Wally Chambers (DROY) [5]
1974 1974 NFLNFCCentral4th4100.286 [5]
1975 1975 NFLNFCCentral3rd4100.286 Jack Pardee [5]
1976 1976 NFLNFCCentral2nd770.500 [5]
1977 1977 NFLNFCCentral2nd950.643Lost Divisional playoffs (at Cowboys) 7–37 Walter Payton (MVP, OPOY, WP MOY) [5]
1978 1978 NFLNFCCentral4th790.438 Neill Armstrong [5]
1979 1979 NFLNFCCentral2nd1060.625Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Eagles) 17–27 [16]
1980 1980 NFLNFCCentral3rd790.438 [17]
1981 1981 NFLNFCCentral5th6100.375 [18]
1982 1982 NFLNFC12th360.333 Mike Ditka [18] [l]
1983 1983 NFLNFCCentral3rd880.500 [19]
1984 1984 NFLNFCCentral1st1060.625Won Divisional playoffs (at Redskins) 23–19
Lost NFC Championship (at 49ers) 0–23
[20]
1985 1985 NFLNFCCentral1st1510.938Won Divisional playoffs (Giants) 21–0
Won NFC Championship (Rams) 24–0
Won Super Bowl XX (9) (vs. Patriots) 46–10
Richard Dent (SB MVP)
Mike Singletary (DPOY)
Mike Ditka (COY)
[m] [21]
1986 1986 NFLNFCCentral1st1420.875Lost Divisional playoffs (Redskins) 13–27 [22]
1987 1987 NFLNFCCentral1st1140.733Lost Divisional playoffs (Redskins) 17–21 Dave Duerson (WP MOY) [n] [23]
1988 1988 NFLNFCCentral1st1240.750Won Divisional playoffs (Eagles) 20–12
Lost NFC Championship (49ers) 3–28
Mike Singletary (DPOY)
Mike Ditka (COY)
[o] [24] [25]
1989 1989 NFLNFCCentral4th6100.375 [26]
1990 1990 NFLNFCCentral1st1150.688Won Wild Card playoffs (Saints) 16–6
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Giants) 3–31
Mark Carrier (DROY)
Mike Singletary (WP MOY)
[27]
1991 1991 NFLNFCCentral2nd1150.688Lost Wild Card playoffs (Cowboys) 13–17 [28]
1992 1992 NFLNFCCentral4th5110.313 [29]
1993 1993 NFLNFCCentral4th790.438 Dave Wannstedt [30]
1994 1994 NFLNFCCentral4th970.563Won Wild Card playoffs (at Vikings) 35–18
Lost Divisional playoffs (at 49ers) 15–44
[31]
1995 1995 NFLNFCCentral3rd970.563 [32]
1996 1996 NFLNFCCentral3rd790.438 [33]
1997 1997 NFLNFCCentral5th4120.250 [34]
1998 1998 NFLNFCCentral5th4120.250 [35]
1999 1999 NFLNFCCentral5th6100.375 Dick Jauron [36]
2000 2000 NFLNFCCentral5th5110.313 Brian Urlacher (DROY)
Jim Flanigan (WP MOY)
[37]
2001 2001 NFLNFCCentral1st1330.813Lost Divisional playoffs (Eagles) 19–33 Dick Jauron (COY)
Anthony Thomas (OROY)
[38]
2002 2002 NFLNFC North 3rd4120.250 [39]
2003 2003 NFLNFCNorth3rd790.438 [40]
2004 2004 NFLNFCNorth4th5110.313 Lovie Smith [41]
2005 2005 NFLNFCNorth1st1150.688Lost Divisional playoffs (Panthers) 21–29 Lovie Smith (COY)
Brian Urlacher (DPOY)
[42]
2006 2006 NFLNFCNorth1st1330.813Won Divisional playoffs (Seahawks) 27–24 (OT)
Won NFC Championship (Saints) 39–14
Lost Super Bowl XLI (vs. Colts) 17–29
[43]
2007 2007 NFLNFCNorth4th790.438 [44]
2008 2008 NFLNFCNorth2nd970.563 [45] [46]
2009 2009 NFLNFCNorth3rd790.438 [47]
2010 2010 NFLNFCNorth1st1150.688Won Divisional playoffs (Seahawks) 35–24
Lost NFC Championship (Packers) 14–21
[g] [48]
2011 2011 NFLNFCNorth3rd880.500 [47]
2012 2012 NFLNFCNorth3rd1060.625
2013 2013 NFLNFCNorth2nd880.500 Charles Tillman (WP MOY) Marc Trestman
2014 2014 NFLNFCNorth4th5110.313
2015 2015 NFLNFCNorth4th6100.375 John Fox
2016 2016 NFLNFCNorth4th3130.188
2017 2017 NFLNFCNorth4th5110.313
2018 2018 NFLNFCNorth1st1240.750Lost Wild Card playoffs (Eagles) 15–16 Matt Nagy (COY) Matt Nagy
2019 2019 NFLNFCNorth3rd880.500
2020 2020 NFLNFCNorth2nd880.500Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Saints) 9–21
2021 2021 NFLNFCNorth3rd6110.353
2022 2022 NFLNFCNorth4th3140.176 Matt Eberflus
2023 2023 NFLNFCNorth4th7100.412
2024 2024 NFLNFCNorth4th5120.294Matt Eberflus (4–8)
Thomas Brown (1–4)
TotalsWLTPct
1012.846Decatur Staleys regular season record (1920) [q]
911.864Chicago Staleys regular season record (1921) [q]
77964439.546Chicago Bears regular season record (1922–present) [q]
79864642.551All-time regular season record (1920–present) [49] [q]
1720.459All-time postseason record (1933–present) [49] [q]
81566642.549All-time regular season and postseason record (1920–present) [49] [q]
9 NFL Championships, 4 Conference Championships, 19 Divisional Championships

Footnotes

References

General
Specific
  1. Taylor, Roy (2005). "Chicago Bears Seasons By Era". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  2. "NFL History By Decade". nfl.com/history. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  3. Note: The Finish, Wins, Losses, and Ties columns list only regular season game results and exclude any postseason play records. Regular and postseason records are combined only at the bottom of the list.
  4. Rankin, Larry. "Chicago Bears Team History and Timeline". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 "Chicago Bears Franchise Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  6. "Green Bay Packers Franchise Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  7. "All-Time Win–loss Records By Team". Pro Football Hall of Fame. 2008. Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  8. Taylor, Roy (2004). "The 1930s Bears, First Dynasty". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  9. Taylor, Roy (2004). "1940s Chicago Bears, Another Dynasty". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  10. "Highlights from the 1980s". chicagobears.com. 2008. Archived from the original on January 21, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  11. "Highlights from the 1990s". chicagobears.com. 2008. Archived from the original on September 20, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  12. "Playoff Game Log". pro-football-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  13. "100 Years of the Chicago Bears: The 2000s". www.audacy.com. October 23, 2019. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  14. "Highlights from the 1970s". chicagobears.com. 2008. Archived from the original on December 11, 2006. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  15. "Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks". pro-football-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  16. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1979 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  17. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1980 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  18. 1 2 Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1981 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  19. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1983 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  20. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1984 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  21. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1985 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  22. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1986 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  23. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1987 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  24. "Fog Bowl: 'A supernatural experience'". ESPN. September 26, 2008. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2009.
  25. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1988 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  26. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1989 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  27. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1990 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  28. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1991 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  29. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1992 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  30. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1993 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  31. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1994 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  32. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1995 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  33. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1996 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  34. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1997 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  35. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1998 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  36. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "1999 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2006. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  37. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "2000 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  38. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "2001 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  39. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "2002 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  40. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "2003 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  41. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "2004 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  42. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "2005 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  43. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "2006 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  44. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "2007 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  45. Taylor, Roy (2000–2008). "2008 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  46. The franchise recorded its 700th victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 7, 2008.
    Musto, Adam (December 2008). "Bears-Jaguars: Chicago Freezes Out Jacksonville, Earns 700th Franchise Vi". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  47. 1 2 Taylor, Roy (2000–2009). "2009 Chicago Bears". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  48. "Bears Game Day: Dominant defense keys 16–0 win". Chicago Tribune. June 28, 1999. Archived from the original on November 20, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  49. 1 2 3 "All Time Records of Current NFL Franchises" (PDF). Pro-Football Hall of Fame. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 6, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2011.