Chicago Bears: 15 greatest running backs of all time

The No. 9 overall running back on our list comes courtesy of the Michigan Wolverines. Former Big Blue product Anthony Thomas burst onto the scene as a rookie back in the 2001 NFL Draft. The second-round pick ended up winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, as he rushed for 1,183 yards and seven scores. He also caught 22 passes for 178 yards.

The “A-Train,” as he would come to be known, was one of the only bright spots for a Bears offense that featured the likes of an abysmal quarterback duo of Jim Miller and Shane Matthews. Of course, the defense was just a handful of years away from the Super Bowl, so they were well on their way to becoming an elite group.

Thomas was one of the last Bears’ backs to truly be used as a ground-and-pound type of back, alongside a stout defense. That being said, he only played four years with the Bears and topped 1,000 yards rushing just twice, Thomas still checks in at No. 8 on the all-time rushing list in franchise history with 3,332 yards.

After his stint with the Bears, Thomas went on to spend time with the Dallas Cowboys, the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills before playing his last year as a pro in 2007.

It was a shame that his career ended almost as quickly as it began, but the bright spots were indeed memorable. He provided fans with a glimmer of positivity on an offense that sputtered more often than not.