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 become 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]
- ^ Taylor, Roy (2005). "Chicago Bears Seasons By Era". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ "NFL History By Decade". nfl.com/history. Archived from the original on 2016-04-10. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Rankin, Larry. "Chicago Bears Team History and Timeline". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 2022-07-15. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
- ^ "Chicago Bears Franchise Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ "Green Bay Packers Franchise Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ "All-Time Win–loss Records By Team". Pro Football Hall of Fame. 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ Taylor, Roy (2004). "The 1930s Bears, First Dynasty". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ Taylor, Roy (2004). "1940s Chicago Bears, Another Dynasty". bearshistory.com. Archived from the original on 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ "Highlights from the 1980s". chicagobears.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 2007-01-21. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ "Highlights from the 1990s". chicagobears.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ "Playoff Game Log". pro-football-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ "100 Years of the Chicago Bears: The 2000s". www.audacy.com. 2019-10-23. Archived from the original on 2022-01-27. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
- ^ "Highlights from the 1970s". chicagobears.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 2006-12-11. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ "Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks". pro-football-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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