NFL Team Guide

Chicago Bears: History, Super Bowls & Facts

The Chicago Bears were founded in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys and are one of two remaining charter franchises of the NFL. Through the 2025 season they had won nine NFL championships, including Super Bowl XX.

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Quick facts

Founded	1920, as the Decatur Staleys; renamed the Bears in 1922
Home stadium from 1971	Soldier Field, Chicago (2002 season played in Champaign during renovation)
Former home	Wrigley Field (1921–1970)
NFL championships	9 (1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963, 1985)
Super Bowls	1 win in 2 appearances (XX, XLI), through the 2025 season

Championship history

The Bears won eight NFL championships before the Super Bowl era and Super Bowl XX after the 1985 season. Through the 2025 season they have played in two Super Bowls.

1921: NFL (APFA) champions as the Chicago Staleys
1932 and 1933: NFL champions
1940: NFL Championship Game, beat Washington 73–0
1941, 1943 and 1946: NFL champions
1963: NFL Championship Game, beat the New York Giants 14–10
Super Bowl XX (1985 season): beat the New England Patriots 46–10
Super Bowl XLI (2006 season): lost to the Indianapolis Colts 29–17

Franchise history

1920: Founded in Decatur, Illinois, as the Decatur Staleys, with George Halas as player-coach.
1921: Moved to Chicago as the Staleys.
1922: Renamed the Chicago Bears.
1940: Beat Washington 73–0 in the NFL Championship Game.
1971: Moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field.
1986: Won Super Bowl XX in January.
2023: Bought the former Arlington Park racetrack site in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Franchise record holders

Passing yards	Jay Cutler, 23,443 (2009–2016)
Rushing yards	Walter Payton, 16,726
Receiving yards	Johnny Morris, 5,059 (1958–1967)

Retired numbers

3Bronko Nagurski
5George McAfee
7George Halas
28Willie Galimore
34Walter Payton
40Gale Sayers
41Brian Piccolo
42Sid Luckman
51Dick Butkus
56Bill Hewitt
61Bill George
66Bulldog Turner
77Red Grange
89Mike Ditka

Hall of Famers

George Halas, Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski, Sid Luckman, Bulldog Turner, George McAfee, Danny Fortmann, George Musso, Joe Stydahar, Bill Hewitt, George Trafton, Link Lyman, Ed Healey, George Connor, Bill George, Ed Sprinkle, Doug Atkins, Stan Jones, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Mike Ditka, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Richard Dent, Jimbo Covert, Steve McMichael, Brian Urlacher, Devin Hester.

Biggest rivalries

Green Bay Packers: the NFL's most-played rivalry as of 2026, first played in 1921, with playoff meetings after the 1941, 2010 and 2025 seasons.
Detroit Lions: division rivals who, as the Portsmouth Spartans, lost to Chicago in the indoor 1932 NFL playoff game.
Minnesota Vikings: division rivals since Minnesota joined the NFL in 1961.

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Chicago Bears FAQ

How many championships have the Bears won?

Nine NFL championships through the 2025 season: 1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963 and Super Bowl XX after the 1985 season.

When did the Bears win Super Bowl XX?

After the 1985 season, beating the New England Patriots 46–10 in Super Bowl XX.

Why were the Bears once called the Staleys?

The team was founded in 1920 by the A. E. Staley food starch company in Decatur, Illinois. It moved to Chicago in 1921 and became the Bears in 1922.

How many numbers have the Bears retired?

Fourteen as of 2026, including Walter Payton's No. 34, Dick Butkus's No. 51 and George Halas's No. 7.

Who has the most rushing yards in Bears history?

Walter Payton, with 16,726 yards from 1975 to 1987.

Sources

Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.

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