Chicago Bears Top 5 Running Backs of All Time

(last updated on February 6, 2026)

From the gridiron greats of the past to the modern-day stars, the Chicago Bears have been home to some of the most iconic running backs in NFL history. Let’s dive into the careers of the top five running backs who have left their mark on Windy City fans and the franchise’s legacy.

As we trek on this captivating journey through time, we will delve into the careers of the top five running backs in the Chicago Bears’ history. These players have not only showcased their exceptional athleticism but have also become beloved figures among fans. From the franchise’s early days to the modern era, these running backs have captivated audiences with their performances on the field.

This post will delve into each standout player’s accomplishments, impact, and legacy. Their significant contributions helped shape the Bears’ identity and cemented their place among the greatest running backs in team history, a legacy that every Bears fan can be proud of.

We will examine the regular-season criteria to select the quintet of the franchise’s best ball toters: rushing yards, overall touchdowns, receptions, and awards while with the team. Secondly, if applicable, we will look at playoff numbers with the club, what stats they may have had in the league while not a member of the subject franchise, and any other circumstances or events that warrant consideration. This comprehensive evaluation process ensures that the rankings are well-informed and reliable.

The Top Five Running Backs in Chicago Bears History

There is over a century of data and players to choose from in Bears lore for our list. From the early days as the Decatur Staleys to the modern Monsters of the Midway, the Bears backs have been some of the NFL’s elite. Here are five that we deem the “cream of the crop” in Chicago pro football history.

Matt Forte had all the qualities sought after in a modern NFL back: size, speed, patience, and good hands. In Chicago, Forte ran for over 8,600 yards with 45 ground TDs. The former Tulane star was the Bears second-round selection of the 2008 NFL Draft. Matt had strong rookie debut with 1,238 yards rushing and, later, added a couple of Pro Bowl appointments.

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Anderson took the NFL by storm a couple of years after Chicago selected him as the 27th overall pick in the 1986 NFL Draft. He was meant to be the eventual “Sweetness” replacement, and he was … registering three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons after Walter Payton retired in 1987. Anderson also played in four straight Pro Bowls, earning 6,166 hard-earned yards for the Bears on the ground and scoring 51 touchdowns running and an additional 20 through the air.

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Walter Payton’s tenure with the Chicago Bears was nothing short of legendary. His exceptional speed, agility, and vision allowed him to break tackles and consistently find open spaces. Payton’s ability to run between the tackles and on the outside made him a versatile and unstoppable force.

Number 34 set numerous NFL records, including the NFL career rushing record, and was a pivotal contributor to the Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team. Payton’s impact on the Bears extended beyond his achievements; he was the face of the franchise when the team was not very good at the start of his career and a hero when they were the champs. Sweetness carried the ball over the goal line 110 times on runs for his career, rushing for 16,726 career yards. There is no better NFL footage than watching Payton dodge and weave defenders in countless games; he was an exceptional player.

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Rick Casares was a former Florida Gator who thrived when the ball was tucked under his arm. The Bears picked him in the 1954 draft, and after serving his country and turning down a more lucrative CFL offer, Rick donned the Chicago uniform. During his prime in the late 1950s, Casares consistently led the Chicago Bears in rushing. His standout performance came in 1956 when he topped the NFL rushing charts with 1,126 yards on 234 carries. Casares scored 49 TDs as a Bear rusher and carried the leather for over 5,600 yards.

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The Kansas Comet was all the rave in the NFL during his short career. Sayers could do it all: return kicks and punts, catch passes, and run through the smallest holes for big yardage.

During his rookie season, Gale Sayers set an NFL record by scoring an astonishing 22 all-purpose touchdowns. He showcased his versatility by finding the end zone 14 times rushing, six times receiving, and once each on punt and kickoff returns. His exceptional performance translated into 2,272 all-purpose yards, an NFL rookie record, with 1,374 yards coming from scrimmage. Later, Gale Sayers showcased his incredible talent in a game played in less-than-ideal conditions. He matched the legendary touchdown feats of Ernie Nevers and Dub Jones, scoring six times in a 61-20 win over the 49ers.

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Other Prominent Running Backs of the Bears

With the stable of backs we have just mentioned, who can believe that Chicago would have any others to talk about? They do, and we only have space to remember a few more.

Harold Grange may not have the career yardage and scores that other Bears’ backs have had, but he makes this list because he may have saved the NFL and many of its teams from going bankrupt; he did have an All-Pro year in 1931. Illinois’s college sensation took his fame as the Galloping Ghost to the NFL and, in a barnstorming tour with the Bears at the end of his rookie season, brought in record crowds to see the wonder that was the Wheaton Iceman.

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David Montgomery was a consistent and reliable running back for the Chicago Bears in his first four NFL seasons after being drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Known for his physical running style and ability to break tackles, Montgomery consistently contributed to the Bears’ offense. He may wear a rival uniform now, but with the Bears, he ran for over 3,600 yards, scoring 26 rushing touchdowns.

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Bronko was a two-way star who excelled as both a running back and a linebacker. Nagurski’s physicality and dominance were unmatched in his era. His powerful running style and ability to break tackles made him a feared opponent, while his relentless pursuit of the quarterback as a linebacker made him a defensive force. Nagurski’s contributions to the Bears were instrumental in the team’s success during the 1930s with 2,778 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.

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Jones was a productive runner in three seasons as a Bear. He scored 22 touchdowns and rushed for almost 3,500 yards. Thomas’s 4.1 yards per carry came in handy to keep opposing defenses at bay.

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Harper played for Chicago from 1975 to 1982 and pounded through holes to chalk up over 3,000 ground yards of offense and score 18 touchdowns rushing and receiving.

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Matt Suhey was a versatile running back who played a vital role in the Chicago Bears’ offense during the 1980s. He had over 5,000 yards from scrimmage. Known for his toughness and ability to break tackles, Suhey was a reliable complement to the team’s star running back, Walter Payton.

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Another old-school selection on our list that needs to be mentioned is Beattie Feathers. Beattie Feathers is renowned for his groundbreaking accomplishments. In his rookie season, he became the first NFL player to rush for over 1,000 yards, setting a record for nearly two decades. His exceptional speed and agility made him a formidable force, earning him a place on the NFL’s 1930s All-Decade Team.

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Conclusion

With a franchise history as deep as that of the Bears, you can understand how hard it was to keep from mentioning more of the running backs that helped Chicago thrive. Future generations of Windy City backs can look at the men mentioned above for inspiration and knowledge of the torch they must carry during their Bears’ journey.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2025 at 3:24 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.