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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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  1. 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.
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  1. 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.
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  1. 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.
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  1. 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.
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  1. 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.
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  1. 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.
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  1. 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.
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  1. 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.
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  1. 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.
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  1. 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.
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