Skip to main content
Advertising

Chicago Bears Official Website | ChicagoBears.com

Top 10

Top 10: Rookie rushing seasons

A look at the 10 best seasons by Bears rookie rushers, ranked by rushing yards.

John Dottley, 1951 - 670 yards. Dottley averaged more than 5 yards per carry for the Bears in 1951, and was named to the Pro Bowl for his stellar play.
1 / 10
  1. John Dottley, 1951 - 670 yards. Dottley averaged more than 5 yards per carry for the Bears in 1951, and was named to the Pro Bowl for his stellar play.
Rick Casares, 1955 - 672 yards. A second-round pick out of Florida, Casares earned a Pro Bowl honor for his impressive rookie performance. He would be named first-team All-Pro the following season.
2 / 10
  1. Rick Casares, 1955 - 672 yards. A second-round pick out of Florida, Casares earned a Pro Bowl honor for his impressive rookie performance. He would be named first-team All-Pro the following season.
Walter Payton, 1975 - 679 yards. The future Hall of Famer didn't find immediate success, averaging 52.2 yards per game as a rookie. Payton was a standout kick returner as a rookie, leading the NFL with a 31.7 yards per return average.
3 / 10
  1. Walter Payton, 1975 - 679 yards. The future Hall of Famer didn't find immediate success, averaging 52.2 yards per game as a rookie. Payton was a standout kick returner as a rookie, leading the NFL with a 31.7 yards per return average.
Jordan Howard, 2016 - 682 yards. In just nine games, Howard has already left his mark on the Chicago record books. If he keeps up his 75.8 yards per game average, the fifth-round pick will exceed 1,000 yards on the season.
4 / 10
  1. Jordan Howard, 2016 - 682 yards. In just nine games, Howard has already left his mark on the Chicago record books. If he keeps up his 75.8 yards per game average, the fifth-round pick will exceed 1,000 yards on the season.
Bill Osmanski, 1939 - 699 yards. Drafted the same year as quarterback Sid Luckman, the two young players were the key to Chicago's success. Osmanski led the NFL in rushing as a rookie before he and Luckman helped the team win four championships in the 1940s.
5 / 10
  1. Bill Osmanski, 1939 - 699 yards. Drafted the same year as quarterback Sid Luckman, the two young players were the key to Chicago's success. Osmanski led the NFL in rushing as a rookie before he and Luckman helped the team win four championships in the 1940s.
Gale Sayers, 1965 - 867 yards. Sayers did it all as a rookie. Along with his rushing yards, Sayers also caught 29 passes for 507 yards, while adding in big gains on kickoff and punt returns. In total, Sayers had 22 touchdowns in his rookie season.
6 / 10
  1. Gale Sayers, 1965 - 867 yards. Sayers did it all as a rookie. Along with his rushing yards, Sayers also caught 29 passes for 507 yards, while adding in big gains on kickoff and punt returns. In total, Sayers had 22 touchdowns in his rookie season.
Beattie Feathers, 1934 - 1,004 yards. Feathers' debut season was historic for several reasons. His 91.3 yards per game is still the best ever for a Chicago rookie, while his performance during the 1934 season marked the first rusher in NFL history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in one year.
7 / 10
  1. Beattie Feathers, 1934 - 1,004 yards. Feathers' debut season was historic for several reasons. His 91.3 yards per game is still the best ever for a Chicago rookie, while his performance during the 1934 season marked the first rusher in NFL history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in one year.
Rashaan Salaam, 1995 - 1,074 yards. Salaam had a nose for the end zone, rushing for 10 touchdowns during his debut season. He was especially effective down the stretch, gaining 361 yards and scoring four touchdowns in the final three weeks of the '95 season.
8 / 10
  1. Rashaan Salaam, 1995 - 1,074 yards. Salaam had a nose for the end zone, rushing for 10 touchdowns during his debut season. He was especially effective down the stretch, gaining 361 yards and scoring four touchdowns in the final three weeks of the '95 season.
Anthony Thomas, 2001 - 1,183 yards. Opponents had a tough time bringing down the A-Train. He averaged 84.5 yards per game as a rookie, leading the Bears to a NFC Central division title.
9 / 10
  1. Anthony Thomas, 2001 - 1,183 yards. Opponents had a tough time bringing down the A-Train. He averaged 84.5 yards per game as a rookie, leading the Bears to a NFC Central division title.
Matt Forte, 2008 - 1,238 yards. Talk about making a good first impression. Forte ran for 123 yards and a touchdown in his first career game, a road win versus Indianapolis, setting the stage for his record-setting rookie year.
10 / 10
  1. Matt Forte, 2008 - 1,238 yards. Talk about making a good first impression. Forte ran for 123 yards and a touchdown in his first career game, a road win versus Indianapolis, setting the stage for his record-setting rookie year.
Advertising
This Ad will close in 3
Advertising

Related

gallery

Top 10: Devin Hester plays

Senior writer Larry Mayer ranks his top 10 most memorable plays of Hester's Bears career.
gallery

Top 10: Coldest Soldier Field games

With frigid conditions and snow hitting Chicagoland, check out the 10 Bears home games with the lowest temperatures since the team moved into Soldier Field in 1971.
gallery

Top 10: Tillman's most memorable moments

In honor of "National Peanut Day" Tuesday, revisit senior writer Larry Mayer's ranking of Charles "Peanut" Tillman's 10 most memorable moments with the Bears.
gallery

Top 10: Extreme weather games

Senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the Bears' top 10 most memorable extreme weather wins he's witnessed.
gallery

Top 10: Bears second-round picks

With the Bears holding two second-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the top 10 Round 2 draft choices in team history.
gallery

Top 10: Players under 25 to watch

The Bears boast a strong core of promising young players. With that in mind, senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the top 10 Bears players under the age of 25 he's most interested in watching develop in 2022.
gallery

Top 10: Contributors vs. Seahawks

Sunday's exciting 25-24 comeback win over the Seahawks was a true team effort. With that in mind, senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the top 10 players who contributed to the victory.
gallery

Top 10: Longest road trips

With the Bears making the long trek out west to Seattle this weekend, here are the 10 longest trips they've made over the past decade.
gallery

Top 10: Longest punt return TDs

Here's a list of the 10 longest punt return touchdowns in Bears history, topped by Pro Bowler Jakeem Grant Sr.'s 97-yarder during Week 15's game in Green Bay.
gallery

Top 10: Bears who played for the Packers

With the Bears visiting the rival Packers Sunday night, senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the top 10 Bears players who have also suited up for Green Bay.
gallery

Top 10: Longest series

With the Bears playing their two oldest rivals the next two Sundays, here's a look at the franchise's top 10 longest series by opponent.
gallery

Top 10: Streaks in Bears history

With Cairo Santos' streak of field goals ending at 40 Monday night in Pittsburgh, senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the top 10 streaks in Bears history.
Advertising