Can you remember all the Chicago Bears Super Bowl wins? Founded in 1920, the Chicago Bears (originally the Decatur Staleys and the Chicago Staleys) entered the National Football League. Ahead of the NFL-AFL merger, the Bears were one of the most dominant teams in football.
George Halas, the founder and first president of the team, helped lead them to an incredible eight NFL championship titles. When the National Football League merged with the American Football League, the Bears moved to the National Football Conference (NFC). It has since been in the NFC Central and now the NFC North.
In part because of the aura of Soldier Field and in part to a litany of Pro Football Hall of Fame members, the Chicago Bears have become known for ferocious defense, including the vaunted Bears 46 defense that won them a title in their first Super Bowl appearance.
Now that sports betting is legal in Illinois, this is the right time to get to know the history of the Chicago Bears.
All Chicago Bears Super Bowl Wins
The Bears played in their first Super Bowl in 1986, capping off a regular season that saw a division title in the NFC Central (now the NFC North). Led by head coach Mike Ditka, the George Halas-led Bears would make history and lead the way to the Super Bowl Shuffle.
Super Bowl XX (1986): The Bears’ First Championship
Regular season
This is the first season in Bears history that the team won 15 games. The Bears played eight home games, winning them all in the friendly confines of Soldier Field. Of all their regular season games, the Bears lost just single a road game at the Orange Bowl to the Miami Dolphins. Heading into the first round of the playoffs, the route through the National Football Conference ran through Soldier Field.
Playoffs
The Bears won in dominant fashion every step of the way. In the divisional round, the Bears played the New York Giants. With head coach Ditka as their leader, the Bears shut out the New York Giants on that day 21-0.
In the National Football Conference championship game, the Bears played the Los Angeles Rams (who would be the St. Louis Rams before long) at Soldier Field. As was the case with the New York Giants, the Rams were shut out in front of the Soldier Field faithful. The Bears won 24-0, further establishing that the defense had taken on the personality of its famous head coach.
The stage was now set, and the Bears would face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. Bears games had now become a nightmare for other teams across the NFL. Living up to the reputation of the NFL championship teams of the past, former Bears watched as the Bears won in dominant fashion over teams like the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and others.
Key players
The head coach got most of the attention and with good reason, but the players are what make the NFL great. Quarterback Jim McMahon became a favorite at Bears games for his brash personality and penchant for scrambling.
The defense, however, was the difference. Of all the NFL championship teams, former Bears couldn’t hold a candle to this defense. The Bears won because the Mike Singletary-led defense physically abused teams on the road and at Soldier Field. Richard Dent and Steve “Mongo” McMichael in the middle were terrifying, leading teams like the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be beaten before the games started.
Head coach. Former tight end Mike Ditka was now the head coach of the Bears, and the team took on his personality. From his first season with the team, he made an impact. Though he was great as a tight end, he’s perhaps more known for his time as the Bears head coach. With defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan leading the vicious defense, the NFL feared the Bears in 1985.
Super Bowl XX
The Chicago Bears made their first Super Bowl appearance against the New England Patriots. With respect to other members of the Bears, this had a much bigger feel than all of the NFL championship games. Could this be the first team in Bears history to win on the biggest stage?
The two teams could not have been more different, and it showed. The Bears dominated the entire first half and eventually held the New England Patriots to negative yardage at the break. The game wasn’t in Soldier Field, but it may as well have been. Clearly the better of the two teams, the Bears won 46-10 for the first season in franchise history to lead to a Super Bowl title.
Richard Dent won MVP in one of the most iconic performances in NFL history. He picked up 1.5 sacks and forced two fumbles, even though the game is remembered for William “Refrigerator” Perry scoring a short touchdown. The Bears won with hard-nosed, George Halas Bears football.
The Iconic 1985 Chicago Bears Team
Though far from the first team to win it all, the 1985 Chicago Bears are one of the most memorable teams in NFL history. Soldier Field was a legendary place, but that team made opponents like the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to be anywhere else.
The 46 Defense
Perhaps the most famous part of the 1985 Chicago Bears is the vaunted 46 defense. It is the first season the Bears won 15 games, dominating opponents into submission. Bears games became an exhibition in peak defense, including crushing rivals like the Green Bay Packers.
The Miami Dolphins became the first team (and the only one) to score more than 28 points on the Bears that season. They allowed more than 10 points only once at Soldier Field and became the first team in NFL history to record two shutouts in one playoff season.
Memorable Players
There are a ton of memorable players from the Bears aside from head coach and former tight end Mike Ditka. Walter Payton, known as Sweetness, is arguably the greatest running back in NFL history. He and Jim McMahon led an underrated Bears offense, one that doesn’t get enough recognition in NFL history. Payton is just one of many former Bears in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
There is also the “Fridge” William Perry. The larger-than-life defensive tackle also dabbled in offense. He scored a pair of rushing touchdowns, caught a touchdown, and most famously ran for a touchdown late in the Super Bowl.
But the real personality of the Bears came from the defense. Mike Singletary led the other members of the defense to NFL history. Vicious defensive linemen Richard Dent and Steve McMichael terrified NFL quarterbacks all season long, helping the Bears set NFL records in the process.
Cultural Impact of the Team
Well prior to the big game, the Bears became known for the Super Bowl Shuffle. The dance and rap became famous and exploded to another level after the Bears’ big victory. It also brought the Chicago Bears to the forefront of the American public.
That Bears team remains the most popular in franchise history. Soldier Field was given another level of aura, one that carried into the following season and beyond. It has become one of the most feared places to play in the NFL and that Bears team is still talked about today.
Attempts to Reclaim Super Bowl Glory
It has been a struggle for the Bears to get back to the top of the mountain. Though Soldier Field is still a feared destination, the Bears have only made it back to the Super Bowl once since 1985. That’s not to say they didn’t have memorable seasons.
The 1988 Bears returned many players from the Super Bowl champion team, but injuries ravaged them. The Jay Cutler-led 2010 Bears won the NFC North but ultimately lost to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. The 1986 season also saw the Bears go 14-2 but fall short to the Washington Redskins.
2006 NFC Championship and Super Bowl XLI
The 2006 Chicago Bears felt a lot like the 1985 iteration to a lot of fans. Though the defense wasn’t quite as dominating, it was once again one of the best units in the NFL. They frequently created offense while the defense was on the field.
Perhaps most notable was the impact of Devin Hester. Arguably the greatest kick returner in NFL history became a weapon that season. Hester was an NFL All-Pro that year, returning five kicks for touchdowns, often at key moments.
The team would square off against the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl that season but has become something of a footnote. The story going into the game was more about quarterback Peyton Manning winning his first NFL title rather than the Bears getting back to the top of the mountain. They would ultimately lose to the Colts 29-17, giving Manning his first championship.
What Makes the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl Win Memorable?
So, why was the 1985 Chicago Bears victory something that is still remembered? The personality of the team, coupled with being arguably the greatest defense in NFL history, has left an indelible mark on the league since.
The personalities were larger than life, especially on defense. McMahon was the cool, cocky quarterback that attracted fans even outside of Chicago. The loud, rambunctious, violent defense instilled fear in opposing players and fans alike.
More than anything else, their win stands out because they absolutely smashed the Patriots when it mattered. They didn’t just win the big game they battered the Patriots into submission. Knocking out the starting quarterback and holding a team to negative yardage in one half is as notable an achievement as it gets. The Bears dominated the Super Bowl in a way that few teams have managed to replicate.
Comparisons with Other NFL Dynasties
One of the biggest questions in NFL history is “why didn’t the Chicago Bears become a dynasty?” Winning just one NFL crown feels like a disappointment in hindsight despite how dominant that 1985 season wound up being.
Other dominant franchises like the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers have had extended runs with multiple championships. They have also had some of the most consistently strong leadership situations and Hall of Fame quarterbacks at the helm.
Injuries play a big role as well. McMahon was frequently injured, failing to grab hold of the offense in the way that leadership hoped he would. The vaunted defense was also studied by other teams, leading to growth in the offensive capabilities of opponents.
The Chicago Bears’ win stands out because of the dominance of the defense. There have been truly great defenses in NFL history before, but this unit carried the Bears to be better than they may have been. The offense got the job done, but they didn’t have an elite quarterback, elite receivers, explosive playmaking ability, or any of the other hallmarks of a great offense.
The Road Ahead: Can the Chicago Bears Win Another Super Bowl?
The Bears are currently in a transition phase. After a run in the 2000s, led by yet another dominant defense, the Bears have struggled to find their footing in the NFL. As they attempt to get back to the NFL’s biggest game, the team looks different than it has historically.
State of the Team
The Bears are leaning on first overall pick Caleb Williams to become the first true franchise quarterback in the team’s history. He came into the NFL with a mountain of hype and flashed promise in a rookie season of struggles.
The team is looking for a new coach after firing Matt Eberfleus. Whoever takes over will be tasked with making the defense better and helping Williams get to the level where he can be an elite NFL quarterback. There is talent in place but a lot of work to be done.
Challenges and the Vision for Getting Back to the Top
The biggest challenge right now is finding a coach. The modern NFL is a passing league, and the Bears have never had a dominant passer. Developing Williams into a top NFL passer should be the key to help the Bears get back on top.
The vision for another Super Bowl crown combines the past and the future for the Bears. Though defense has become a hallmark for the franchise, the passing game that dominates the NFL is what will take Chicago back to the top of the mountain.
Conclusion
Though it has been nearly 40 years, the Chicago Bears 1985 Super Bowl win lives on in NFL history. It is one of the most dominant seasons in the history of the NFL and the key members of that team have gone on to glory in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Bears history is one of the richest in the NFL. The hope is that the team can reach its glory once again and make Soldier Field the most feared place to play in the league again.
FAQ Section
How many Super Bowls have the Chicago Bears won?
The Chicago Bears have won just a single Super Bowl in the NFL Super Bowl era. The win came in Super Bowl XX in 1985, one of the most dominant performances in league history. The Bears defeated the New England Patriots after running through the NFC North and the National Football Conference at large.
Who was the MVP of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl win?
Perhaps the most surprising part of the Bears’ Super Bowl title victory is who won Super Bowl MVP. Defensive end Richard Dent took the honors. His two fumbles forced, blocked pass, and 1.5 quarterback sacks secured him one of the most impressive performances in NFL history.
What made the 1985 Bears’ defense so dominant?
The Chicago Bears defense led the way throughout the regular season, through the first playoff game, the NFC championship game, and all the way to their first Super Bowl title. The Bears won and tied Super Bowl records for sacks (7), fewest rushing yards allowed (7), and largest margin of victory (36 points). The New England Patriots actually tied the record for the quickest lead in Super Bowl history with a field goal just 1:19 into the game.
Have the Bears appeared in other Super Bowls?
When it comes to Chicago Bears Super Bowl wins, there is just one, but they did make another Super Bowl appearance in 2006. There they played the Indianapolis Colts. Future Pro Football Hall of Fame member Peyton Manning was the story, earning the Colts their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. The Bears fell short, largely because of the ineptitude of the Bears offense.
What is the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl legacy?
The loss to the Indianapolis Colts is largely forgotten because it will be remembered for Peyton Manning’s achievement. In Super Bowl history, that 1985 game against the New England Patriots is the one that gets remembered. In the complete history of the Chicago Bears, it will be remembered as one of the most dominant teams in NFL history.
