Chicago Bears: Monsters of the Midway and Keepers of Tradition

Chicago Bears: Monsters of the Midway and Keepers of Tradition

Few franchises in the National Football League carry as much history, tradition, and cultural significance as the Chicago Bears. Established in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys before relocating to Chicago a year later, the Bears are one of the league’s original teams and a charter member of what would eventually become the NFL. Under the ownership and vision of George Halas — “Papa Bear” — the franchise became not just a football team, but a foundational institution in American professional sports. With Halas serving as player, coach, and owner at various times, the Bears embodied toughness, grit, and innovation in football’s earliest decades.

The Bears quickly became synonymous with defense and physicality, and by the 1940s they had established themselves as a dynasty, winning multiple championships. Their 73–0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game remains the most lopsided result in league history, a testament to their dominance in that era. The “Monsters of the Midway” nickname, originally tied to the University of Chicago football team, was adopted by the Bears during this period and has lived on as a symbol of their hard-hitting defensive culture.

Beyond the championships, the Bears have been instrumental in shaping the identity of professional football. Halas was one of the driving forces behind league expansion, television broadcasting deals, and the growth of the sport into America’s pastime. The team’s navy-and-orange colors, iconic “C” helmet logo, and smashmouth playing style came to represent the very essence of Chicago itself — a blue-collar, hardworking city that takes pride in resilience.

The Bears’ legacy stretches across generations. The franchise boasts more members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame than any other, including legends such as Walter Payton, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Mike Singletary, and Brian Urlacher. The 1985 team remains one of the most celebrated squads in NFL history, dominating the league with its revolutionary 46 Defense and charismatic personalities like head coach Mike Ditka and quarterback Jim McMahon. Their Super Bowl XX victory, capped by the famous “Super Bowl Shuffle,” immortalized them in sports and pop culture alike.

Even when the Bears have struggled in more recent decades, their cultural footprint has remained strong. Soldier Field fills each Sunday with fans who embrace the heritage, and “Bear Down” remains a rallying cry that connects present teams to nearly a century of history. From Halas to Payton to the modern era, the Bears are more than just a franchise — they are the embodiment of football tradition in its purest form.

Rivalries

The Chicago Bears’ rivalries are among the fiercest and longest-running in professional sports. The most storied of these is their rivalry with the Green Bay Packers, dating back to 1921. The Bears–Packers series is the oldest ongoing rivalry in the NFL and has been contested more than 200 times. Fueled by geographic proximity and historical stakes, these matchups embody old-school football. For decades, the Bears held the edge in victories, but in the modern era, the Packers’ Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers have shifted the balance. Still, every meeting is circled on the calendar for both franchises and their fans.

The Bears also have a heated rivalry with the Minnesota Vikings, built on competitive battles for NFC North supremacy. Games between Chicago and Minnesota are marked by physical play, hostile environments, and wild swings in momentum. The Detroit Lions complete the quartet of NFC North opponents, with rivalries fueled by tradition rather than animosity, though Thanksgiving matchups against Detroit have created memorable moments.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Bears developed a notable rivalry with the San Francisco 49ers, particularly in the playoffs, and matchups with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants often carried historical weight. However, it is the Packers rivalry — stretching across generations and defined by Hall of Fame players, bitter cold, and high stakes — that stands above all else as the defining rivalry in Bears history.

Chicago Bears: Ownership

Ownership of the Bears has remained within the Halas family since the team’s founding, making them one of the most family-controlled franchises in professional sports. George Halas ran the team until his death in 1983, after which ownership passed to his daughter Virginia Halas McCaskey. Still the principal owner today, McCaskey — born in 1923 — has overseen the franchise through decades of ups and downs, maintaining the Halas legacy.

The McCaskey family continues to run the team, with George McCaskey serving as chairman. While the family’s stewardship has ensured continuity and stability, it has also drawn criticism from fans who feel the Bears have been slow to adapt to the modern NFL’s business and football operations. Calls for more innovative management have persisted, particularly in light of the team’s limited postseason success in recent decades.

Still, the Halas–McCaskey lineage provides a unique thread of tradition. Unlike many franchises that change hands among corporate owners, the Bears remain tied to their founding family. That heritage resonates with fans who see the Bears not just as a business, but as a living piece of football history that still carries Halas’ fingerprints nearly a century later.

Watch Chicago Bears

Soldier Field has been the Bears’ home since 1971, and it stands as one of the most iconic stadiums in American sports. Situated along Lake Michigan and offering a view of Chicago’s skyline, it provides both history and scenery. Originally opened in 1924, Soldier Field has hosted not only football but also political rallies, concerts, and other major events.

The stadium underwent a major renovation in 2002, resulting in its current blend of historic colonnades and modern design. While the renovations preserved the venue, some fans lamented the loss of its classic character, and the changes even led to Soldier Field losing its National Historic Landmark status. Still, it remains a symbol of Chicago football and an intimidating environment for visiting teams.

Soldier Field is also known for its weather. Games in late fall and winter often feature bitter winds whipping off the lake, snow flurries, and freezing temperatures. That harsh environment has long been seen as part of the Bears’ identity, testing both players and fans.

Currently, discussions are ongoing about whether the Bears will eventually move to a new stadium in Arlington Heights, a Chicago suburb, which could mark a dramatic shift in the franchise’s future. For now, however, Soldier Field remains the Bears’ fortress and a link to generations of football tradition.

Chicago Bears: This Season

The Chicago Bears enter their 106th NFL season in 2025, aiming to build on a 7-10 record in 2024 that showed progress but missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Under third-year head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles, the Bears have a dynamic young core, led by a rookie quarterback sensation and a bolstered defense. With a balanced schedule and a competitive NFC North, Chicago seeks to end their playoff drought and secure their first postseason win since 2010.

Quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, anchors the offense, coming off a rookie season with 3,332 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. His 66.5% completion rate, 4.7-second 40-yard dash mobility, and flair for improvisation shine in offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s balanced, RPO-heavy scheme. Backup Tyson Bagent, re-signed for depth, threw for 859 yards in limited action last season.

The running game is led by D’Andre Swift, who rushed for 1,049 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024, though his 4.3 yards per carry suggests room for improvement. Rookie Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson add depth, with Herbert’s 5.1 yards per carry in college showing promise. The offensive line, a 2024 weak point (41 sacks allowed, 22nd in PFF pass-blocking grade), is anchored by left tackle Braxton Jones and rookie right tackle Darnell Wright. Free-agent signee Nate Davis and rookie center Coleman Shelton bolster the interior, though guard depth remains a concern.

The receiving corps is elite, led by DJ Moore (1,364 yards, 8 touchdowns in 2024) and rookie Rome Odunze, a 2024 top-10 pick who had 752 yards as a rookie. Keenan Allen, acquired from the Chargers, adds veteran savvy (1,040 yards in 2024), while tight end Cole Kmet had 70 catches and 6 touchdowns. The offense, which ranked 18th in points per game (21.5) in 2024, aims to crack the top 10 with improved red-zone efficiency (51.4% touchdown rate, 20th).

The defense, coordinated by Eric Washington, ranked 12th in points allowed (21.6 per game) in 2024 and is poised for a leap with added talent. Edge rusher Montez Sweat, acquired mid-2023, led with 12.5 sacks and earned a Pro Bowl nod, while rookie Austin Booker (5 sacks) adds speed. Defensive tackle Andrew Billings anchors the interior, supported by rookie Gervon Dexter Sr., who showed promise (4 sacks).

Linebackers Tremaine Edmunds (113 tackles) and T.J. Edwards form a stout tandem, with Edmunds’ 88.7 PFF coverage grade standing out. The secondary, a 2024 strength (7th in passing yards allowed), is led by cornerback Jaylon Johnson, a 2024 All-Pro with 4 interceptions and an 89.1 PFF coverage grade. Tyrique Stevenson and rookie Kyler Gordon add depth, while safety Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker (combined 3 interceptions) provide playmaking. The defense’s 50 sacks and 22 takeaways in 2024 position it for a top-8 finish with Washington’s aggressive 4-3 scheme.

The Bears face the NFL’s 13th-easiest schedule (.489 opponent win percentage). They open at home against the Minnesota Vikings (Week 1, September 8, Monday Night Football) and face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. Divisional games against the Vikings (Weeks 4 and 18), Detroit Lions (Weeks 13 and 16), and Green Bay Packers (Weeks 4 and 13) are critical, as Chicago went 2-4 in the NFC North in 2024. A Week 7 primetime clash with the Philadelphia Eagles and a Week 15 game at Houston carry playoff implications.

Challenges include Williams’ growth against elite defenses (2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions vs. top-10 defenses in 2024) and protecting him against pass rushes like Detroit’s (46 sacks). The running game’s consistency and offensive line cohesion are concerns. Defensively, stopping mobile quarterbacks like Jared Goff and Jordan Love (6.0 yards per carry allowed to QBs) and maintaining third-down efficiency (39.6% conversion rate allowed, 17th) are priorities. Eberflus’ job security hinges on a playoff push.

Oddsmakers project the Bears to win 8-9 games, with +2500 Super Bowl LX odds, reflecting their upside but tough division. The NFC North is loaded, with Detroit and Green Bay as favorites, but Chicago’s 5-4 home record at Soldier Field in 2024 offers hope. Fans on X predict 9-10 wins, citing Williams’ potential and the defense’s dominance, though some worry about offensive line depth. A bold prediction from CBS Sports has Williams throwing for 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl honors.

A wild-card berth is achievable if Chicago splits divisional games and capitalizes on matchups against the Titans, Jaguars, and Giants. A division title is a long shot, but a 9-win season would signal progress. The Bears’ young talent and Eberflus’ defensive expertise make them a potential NFC spoiler.

Chicago Bears: Key Players to Watch

• Caleb Williams (QB): His dynamic playmaking drives the offense’s ceiling.

• DJ Moore (WR): His Pro Bowl production fuels the passing attack.

• D’Andre Swift (RB): His versatility anchors the run game.

• Montez Sweat (DE): His pass-rushing dominance leads the defense.

• Jaylon Johnson (CB): The All-Pro’s lockdown coverage anchors the secondary.

• Rome Odunze (WR): The rookie’s big-play ability complements Moore.

• Tremaine Edmunds (LB): His tackling and coverage bolster the linebacker corps.

Trivia: Caleb Williams, the Bears' 2024 No. 1 overall pick, became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 3,000+ yards and rush for 500+ yards in his rookie season while starting fewer than 15 games, achieving this feat in just 12 starts in 2024.

Chicago Bears: What to Follow

Looking ahead, several storylines will define the Bears’ trajectory. The potential stadium move to Arlington Heights looms large, as it could reshape the franchise’s finances, fan experience, and identity. On the field, the most critical question remains whether Chicago can finally solve its long-standing quarterback puzzle, which has haunted the team since the days of Sid Luckman in the 1940s.

Equally important will be how the Bears maintain their defensive identity in a league increasingly dominated by high-powered offenses. Can they develop the kind of balance seen in their greatest eras — from the Payton-led offenses of the 1970s and ’80s to the fearsome 1985 defense?

Trivia also enriches the Bears’ story. The team has retired more jersey numbers than any other franchise, reflecting its deep pool of legends. Walter Payton, nicknamed “Sweetness,” is widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time, both for his rushing achievements and his humanitarian impact. Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers, who played in the same draft class of 1965, became Hall of Fame icons despite careers cut short by injuries. The Bears are also credited with pioneering defensive schemes that influenced the entire league, from Buddy Ryan’s 46 Defense to the aggressive styles that defined later generations.

For fans, following the Bears means embracing both patience and pride. Even in down years, Soldier Field fills with die-hards wearing navy and orange, singing “Bear Down, Chicago Bears,” and cherishing the team’s historic role in shaping football. Whether the next era brings another Lombardi Trophy or continued rebuilding, one thing is certain: the Chicago Bears remain one of the NFL’s most important and beloved franchises, forever tied to the heart of the sport.