Chicago Bears: 10 Best Quarterbacks of All Time
By Joe Summers
![Jan 1988; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears quarterback #9 Jim McMahon in action against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field during the 1987 NFC Divisional Playoff Game. The Redskins defeated the Bears 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports © Copyright Malcolm Emmons Jan 1988; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears quarterback #9 Jim McMahon in action against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field during the 1987 NFC Divisional Playoff Game. The Redskins defeated the Bears 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports © Copyright Malcolm Emmons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2700,h_1518,x_0,y_413/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/258/01j274n3qszfzrvptskj.jpg)
6. Johnny Lujack (1948-1951)
Johnny Lujack loses some points from a longevity standpoint but from a per-season basis, it's hard to argue with his accomplishments. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1950 and 1951, earning AP First-Team All-Pro honors in 1950 in the process.
Despite starting only eight games in 1949, Lujack led the league in passing yards (2,658), TDs (23), and yards per attempt (8.5). With a 13-5 record as a starter, he's one of the few Bears QBs who can boast such consistent team success on top of individual performance.
Johnny Lujack's best seasons are still among Bears bests:
— Jack M Silverstein (@readjack) July 28, 2023
- passing yards in a game: 1st (468, below)
- PPG: 2nd (9.1)
- def. INTs: t-4th (8)
- rush TDs: t-7th (11, 1st for QB)
- extra points: 8th (44)
- passing TDs: 9th (23)
- passing yards: 15th (2658)
- points: 16th (109) pic.twitter.com/GLtPwG0R1O
Lujack's career was sadly cut short due to lingering injuries, and he lost time early on while serving in the army, so his lack of counting stats aren't really his fault. If Lujack had played longer, there's little doubt he would've continued to impress and drive himself up the Bears' all-time leaders.
Even still, his short run is one of the most successful that any Chicago QB has ever managed.
Johnny Lujack Chicago Bears Statistics
Record | 13-5 |
---|---|
Completions | 404 |
Attempts | 808 |
Completion Percentage | 50% |
Passing Yards | 6,295 |
TDs | 41 |
INTs | 54 |
5. Billy Wade (1961-1966)
The leader of the 1963 NFL Championship winner, Billy Wade spent the first half of his career with the Rams before joining the Bears in a trade. He played in an era that depreciated passing statistics though still threw for 3,172 yards in 1962, the eighth-most in a single season in franchise history.
Wade was named to the Pro Bowl the following year and ranks seventh on Chicago's all-time passing yards list (9,958).
Setting up a Caleb Williams tracker for this #Bears season and researching 300-yard passing games.
— Jeff Berckes (@gridironborn) July 5, 2024
Franchise mark is 4 in a single season set first by Billy Wade in 1962 and then matched by:
2014 Cutty
2016 Brian Hoyer
2018 Trubisky
Wait - Axel Edward Brian Hoyer?! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/0K8dk5TsEj
The fact that Wade managed to pass for so many yards even in that era speaks to his impressive ability and production. At a time when few players were putting up gaudy statistics, Wade sticks out.
As one of a handful of players who is a championship-winning QB for the franchise, Wade belongs in the top five.
Billy Wade Chicago Bears Statistics
Record | 27-20-2 |
---|---|
Completions | 767 |
Attempts | 1,407 |
Completion Percentage | 54.5% |
Passing Yards | 9,958 |
TDs | 68 |
INTs | 66 |