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Top 10
Top 10: Bears rookie seasons
Senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the ten best rookie seasons in Bears history beginning with five honorable mentions.
Honorable mention - Kyle Long (2013): Long was voted to the Pro Bowl after starting all 16 games at right guard.
Honorable mention - Anthony Thomas (2001): Thomas was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after setting a Bears rookie rushing record that has since been broken with 1,183 yards.
Honorable mention - Kevin Butler (1985): Butler set an NFL rookie record that has since been broken by scoring 144 points on 51 extra points and 31 field goals.
Honorable mention - William Perry (1985): Perry registered five sacks but became a national sensation as the world's largest fullback, rushing for three touchdowns and catching a TD pass from Jim McMahon.
Honorable mention - Wally Chambers (1973): Chambers was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and voted to the Pro Bowl after recording nine sacks, though sacks did not become an official statistic until 1982.
- Mark Carrier (1990): Carrier was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and voted to the Pro Bowl after recording 10 interceptions, the most by any player in Bears history.
- Matt Forte (2008): Forte set a Bears rookie record that has since been broken by rushing for 1,238 and another mark that still stands with 63 receptions.
- Brian Urlacher (2000): Urlacher was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and voted to the Pro Bowl after setting Bears rookie records with 165 tackles and eight sacks.
- Jordan Howard (2016): Howard was voted to the Pro Bowl after establishing Bears rookie rushing records with 1,313 yards and seven 100-yard games while averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
- Harlon Hill (1954): Hill was voted to the Pro Bowl after setting Bears rookie receiving records with 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns on 45 receptions.
- Mike Ditka (1961): Ditka was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after setting a Bears rookie record that has since been broken with 56 receptions for 1,076 yards and matching another with 12 TD catches.
- Dick Butkus (1965): Butkus was named first-team All-Pro after producing 12 takeaways with five interceptions and seven fumble recoveries.
- Devin Hester (2006): Hester was named first-team All-Pro after setting an NFL record with five kick return touchdowns and adding a sixth on the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI.
- Beattie Feathers (1934): Feathers became the first NFL player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and his 8.44 yards per carry average remains the best by a running back in a season in league history.
- Gale Sayers (1965): Sayers was named first-team All-Pro and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after setting an NFL rookie record that still stands with 22 touchdowns.
