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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]
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]
(#) | The order of league championship won by the franchise |
Finish | Final 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 | Team | League | Conference | Division | Regular season | Postseason results | Awards | Head Coaches | Ref. | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finish | W | L | T | Pct | |||||||||||
Decatur Staleys | |||||||||||||||
1919 | 1919 | Ind. | — | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 | Named Central Illinois Champions | Robert E. Brannan | [5][a] | |||||
1920 | 1920 | APFA | 2nd | 10 | 1 | 2 | .846 | The APFA did not hold playoff games | George Halas | [5][a] | |||||
Chicago Staleys | |||||||||||||||
1921 | 1921 | APFA | 1st | 9 | 1 | 1 | .864 | Named APFA Champions | George Halas | [5][b] | |||||
Chicago Bears | |||||||||||||||
1922 | 1922 | NFL | 2nd | 9 | 3 | 0 | .750 | The NFL did not hold playoff games until 1932 | George Halas | [5] | |||||
1923 | 1923 | NFL | 2nd | 9 | 2 | 1 | .792 | [5] | |||||||
1924 | 1924 | NFL | 2nd | 6 | 1 | 4 | .727 | [5] | |||||||
1925 | 1925 | NFL | 7th | 9 | 5 | 3 | .618 | [5] | |||||||
1926 | 1926 | NFL | 2nd | 12 | 1 | 3 | .844 | [5] | |||||||
1927 | 1927 | NFL | 3rd | 9 | 3 | 2 | .714 | [5] | |||||||
1928 | 1928 | NFL | 5th | 7 | 5 | 1 | .577 | [5] | |||||||
1929 | 1929 | NFL | 9th | 4 | 9 | 2 | .333 | [5] | |||||||
1930 | 1930 | NFL | 3rd | 9 | 4 | 1 | .679 | Ralph Jones | [5] | ||||||
1931 | 1931 | NFL | 3rd | 8 | 5 | 0 | .615 | [5] | |||||||
1932 | 1932 | NFL | 1st | 7 | 1 | 6 | .714 | Named NFL Champions (2) | [5][c] | ||||||
1933 | 1933 | NFL | Western | 1st | 10 | 2 | 1 | .808 | Won NFL Championship (3) (Giants) 23–21 | George Halas | [5][d] | ||||
1934 | 1934 | NFL | Western | 1st | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Lost NFL Championship (at Giants) 13–30 | [5][e] | |||||
1935 | 1935 | NFL | Western | T-3rd | 6 | 4 | 2 | .583 | [5] | ||||||
1936 | 1936 | NFL | Western | 2nd | 9 | 3 | 0 | .750 | [5] | ||||||
1937 | 1937 | NFL | Western | 1st | 9 | 1 | 1 | .864 | Lost NFL Championship (Redskins) 21–28 | [5] | |||||
1938 | 1938 | NFL | Western | 3rd | 6 | 5 | 0 | .545 | [5] | ||||||
1939 | 1939 | NFL | Western | 2nd | 8 | 3 | 0 | .727 | [5] | ||||||
1940 | 1940 | NFL | Western | 1st | 8 | 3 | 0 | .727 | Won NFL Championship (4) (at Redskins) 73–0 | [5][f] | |||||
1941 | 1941 | NFL | Western | 1st | 10 | 1 | 0 | .909 | Won Divisional playoff (Packers) 33–14 Won NFL Championship (5) (Giants) 37–9 |
[5][g] | |||||
1942 | 1942 | NFL | Western | 1st | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Lost NFL Championship (at Redskins) 6–14 | George Halas (5–0) Hunk Anderson & Luke Johnsos (6–0) |
[5][e] | ||||
1943 | 1943 | NFL | Western | 1st | 8 | 1 | 1 | .850 | Won NFL Championship (6) (Redskins) 41–21 | Sid Luckman (MVP) | Hunk Anderson & Luke Johnsos | [5] | |||
1944 | 1944 | NFL | Western | T-2nd | 6 | 3 | 1 | .650 | [5] | ||||||
1945 | 1945 | NFL | Western | 4th | 3 | 7 | 0 | .300 | [5] | ||||||
1946 | 1946 | NFL | Western | 1st | 8 | 2 | 1 | .773 | Won NFL Championship (7) (at Giants) 24–14 | George Halas | [5] | ||||
1947 | 1947 | NFL | Western | 2nd | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | [5] | ||||||
1948 | 1948 | NFL | Western | 2nd | 10 | 2 | 0 | .833 | [5] | ||||||
1949 | 1949 | NFL | Western | 2nd | 9 | 3 | 0 | .750 | [5] | ||||||
1950 | 1950 | NFL | National | T-1st | 9 | 3 | 0 | .750 | Lost Conference playoff (at Rams) 14–24 | [5][h] | |||||
1951 | 1951 | NFL | National | 4th | 7 | 5 | 0 | .583 | [5] | ||||||
1952 | 1952 | NFL | National | 5th | 5 | 7 | 0 | .417 | [5] | ||||||
1953 | 1953 | NFL | Western | 4th | 3 | 8 | 1 | .292 | [5] | ||||||
1954 | 1954 | NFL | Western | 2nd | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | [5] | ||||||
1955 | 1955 | NFL | Western | 2nd | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | [5] | ||||||
1956 | 1956 | NFL | Western | 1st | 9 | 2 | 1 | .792 | Lost NFL Championship (at Giants) 7–47 | Paddy Driscoll | [5] | ||||
1957 | 1957 | NFL | Western | 5th | 5 | 7 | 0 | .417 | [5] | ||||||
1958 | 1958 | NFL | Western | T-2nd | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | George Halas | [5] | |||||
1959 | 1959 | NFL | Western | 2nd | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | [5] | ||||||
1960 | 1960 | NFL | Western | 5th | 5 | 6 | 1 | .458 | [5] | ||||||
1961 | 1961 | NFL | Western | T-3rd | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | [5] | ||||||
1962 | 1962 | NFL | Western | 3rd | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | [5] | ||||||
1963 | 1963 | NFL | Western | 1st | 11 | 1 | 2 | .857 | Won NFL Championship (8) (Giants) 14–10 | George Halas (COY) | [5] | ||||
1964 | 1964 | NFL | Western | 6th | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | [5] | ||||||
1965 | 1965 | NFL | Western | 3rd | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | George Halas (COY) | [5] | |||||
1966 | 1966 | NFL | Western | 5th | 5 | 7 | 2 | .429 | [5] | ||||||
1967 | 1967 | NFL | Western | Central | 2nd | 7 | 6 | 1 | .536 | [5][i] | |||||
1968 | 1968 | NFL | Western | Central | 2nd | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | Jim Dooley | [5] | ||||
1969 | 1969 | NFL | Western | Central | 4th | 1 | 13 | 0 | .071 | [5] | |||||
1970 | 1970 | NFL | NFC | Central | 4th | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | [5][j] | |||||
1971 | 1971 | NFL | NFC | Central | 3rd | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | [5] | |||||
1972 | 1972 | NFL | NFC | Central | 4th | 4 | 9 | 1 | .321 | Abe Gibron | [5][k] | ||||
1973 | 1973 | NFL | NFC | Central | 4th | 3 | 11 | 0 | .214 | Wally Chambers (DROY) | [5] | ||||
1974 | 1974 | NFL | NFC | Central | 4th | 4 | 10 | 0 | .286 | [5] | |||||
1975 | 1975 | NFL | NFC | Central | 3rd | 4 | 10 | 0 | .286 | Jack Pardee | [5] | ||||
1976 | 1976 | NFL | NFC | Central | 2nd | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | [5] | |||||
1977 | 1977 | NFL | NFC | Central | 2nd | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | Lost Divisional playoffs (at Cowboys) 7–37 | Walter Payton (MVP, OPOY, WP MOY) | [5] | |||
1978 | 1978 | NFL | NFC | Central | 4th | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | Neill Armstrong | [5] | ||||
1979 | 1979 | NFL | NFC | Central | 2nd | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Eagles) 17–27 | [16] | ||||
1980 | 1980 | NFL | NFC | Central | 3rd | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | [17] | |||||
1981 | 1981 | NFL | NFC | Central | 5th | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | [18] | |||||
1982 | 1982 | NFL | NFC | 12th | 3 | 6 | 0 | .333 | Mike Ditka | [18][l] | |||||
1983 | 1983 | NFL | NFC | Central | 3rd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | [19] | |||||
1984 | 1984 | NFL | NFC | Central | 1st | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | Won Divisional playoffs (at Redskins) 23–19 Lost NFC Championship (at 49ers) 0–23 |
[20] | ||||
1985 | 1985 | NFL | NFC | Central | 1st | 15 | 1 | 0 | .938 | Won 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 | NFL | NFC | Central | 1st | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | Lost Divisional playoffs (Redskins) 13–27 | [22] | ||||
1987 | 1987 | NFL | NFC | Central | 1st | 11 | 4 | 0 | .733 | Lost Divisional playoffs (Redskins) 17–21 | Dave Duerson (WP MOY) | [n][23] | |||
1988 | 1988 | NFL | NFC | Central | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | Won Divisional playoffs (Eagles) 20–12 Lost NFC Championship (49ers) 3–28 |
Mike Singletary (DPOY) Mike Ditka (COY) |
[o][24][25] | |||
1989 | 1989 | NFL | NFC | Central | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | [26] | |||||
1990 | 1990 | NFL | NFC | Central | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | Won Wild Card playoffs (Saints) 16–6 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Giants) 3–31 |
Mark Carrier (DROY) Mike Singletary (WP MOY) |
[27] | |||
1991 | 1991 | NFL | NFC | Central | 2nd | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | Lost Wild Card playoffs (Cowboys) 13–17 | [28] | ||||
1992 | 1992 | NFL | NFC | Central | 4th | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | [29] | |||||
1993 | 1993 | NFL | NFC | Central | 4th | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | Dave Wannstedt | [30] | ||||
1994 | 1994 | NFL | NFC | Central | 4th | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | Won Wild Card playoffs (at Vikings) 35–18 Lost Divisional playoffs (at 49ers) 15–44 |
[31] | ||||
1995 | 1995 | NFL | NFC | Central | 3rd | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | [32] | |||||
1996 | 1996 | NFL | NFC | Central | 3rd | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | [33] | |||||
1997 | 1997 | NFL | NFC | Central | 5th | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | [34] | |||||
1998 | 1998 | NFL | NFC | Central | 5th | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | [35] | |||||
1999 | 1999 | NFL | NFC | Central | 5th | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | Dick Jauron | [36] | ||||
2000 | 2000 | NFL | NFC | Central | 5th | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | Brian Urlacher (DROY) Jim Flanigan (WP MOY) |
[37] | ||||
2001 | 2001 | NFL | NFC | Central | 1st | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | Lost Divisional playoffs (Eagles) 19–33 | Dick Jauron (COY) Anthony Thomas (OROY) |
[38] | |||
2002 | 2002 | NFL | NFC | North | 3rd | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | [39] | |||||
2003 | 2003 | NFL | NFC | North | 3rd | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | [40] | |||||
2004 | 2004 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | Lovie Smith | [41] | ||||
2005 | 2005 | NFL | NFC | North | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | Lost Divisional playoffs (Panthers) 21–29 | Lovie Smith (COY) Brian Urlacher (DPOY) |
[42] | |||
2006 | 2006 | NFL | NFC | North | 1st | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | Won Divisional playoffs (Seahawks) 27–24 (OT) Won NFC Championship (Saints) 39–14 Lost Super Bowl XLI (vs. Colts) 17–29 |
[43] | ||||
2007 | 2007 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | [44] | |||||
2008 | 2008 | NFL | NFC | North | 2nd | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | [45][46] | |||||
2009 | 2009 | NFL | NFC | North | 3rd | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | [47] | |||||
2010 | 2010 | NFL | NFC | North | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | Won Divisional playoffs (Seahawks) 35–24 Lost NFC Championship (Packers) 14–21 |
[g][48] | ||||
2011 | 2011 | NFL | NFC | North | 3rd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | [47] | |||||
2012 | 2012 | NFL | NFC | North | 3rd | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | ||||||
2013 | 2013 | NFL | NFC | North | 2nd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | Charles Tillman (WP MOY) | Marc Trestman | ||||
2014 | 2014 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | ||||||
2015 | 2015 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | John Fox | |||||
2016 | 2016 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | ||||||
2017 | 2017 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | ||||||
2018 | 2018 | NFL | NFC | North | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | Lost Wild Card playoffs (Eagles) 15–16 | Matt Nagy (COY) | Matt Nagy | |||
2019 | 2019 | NFL | NFC | North | 3rd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | ||||||
2020 | 2020 | NFL | NFC | North | 2nd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Saints) 9–21 | |||||
2021 | 2021 | NFL | NFC | North | 3rd | 6 | 11 | 0 | .353 | ||||||
2022 | 2022 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 | Matt Eberflus | |||||
2023 | 2023 | NFL | NFC | North | 4th | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | ||||||
Totals | W | L | T | Pct | |||||||||||
10 | 1 | 2 | .846 | Decatur Staleys regular season record (1920)[q] | |||||||||||
9 | 1 | 1 | .864 | Chicago Staleys regular season record (1921)[q] | |||||||||||
774 | 632 | 39 | .549 | Chicago Bears regular season record (1922–present)[q] | |||||||||||
793 | 634 | 42 | .554 | All-time regular season record (1920–present)[49][q] | |||||||||||
17 | 20 | — | .459 | All-time postseason record (1933–present)[49][q] | |||||||||||
810 | 654 | 42 | .552 | All-time regular season and postseason record (1920–present)[49][q] | |||||||||||
9 NFL Championships, 4 Conference Championships, 19 Divisional Championships | |||||||||||||||
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