Chicago Bears
The Monsters of the Midway
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. They are one of two remaining franchises from the NFL's founding in 1920, along with the Arizona Cardinals (originally the Racine Cardinals of Chicago). The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field on the Near South Side, adjacent to Lake Michigan. The team headquarters, Halas Hall, is in the Chicago suburb of Lake Forest, Illinois. The Bears practice at adjoining facilities there during the season, and began hosting training camp at Halas Hall in 2020 after major renovations. The franchise was founded in Decatur, Illinois, on September 20, 1919, became professional on September 17, 1920, and moved to Chicago in 1921. The Bears played home games at Wrigley Field on Chicago's North Side through the 1970 season; they have played since then at Soldier Field. The team have won nine NFL Championships, eight before the AFL–NFL merger and one Super Bowl. They hold the NFL records for the most enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the most retired jersey numbers. The Bears' NFL championships and overall victories are second behind the Green Bay Packers, with whom they have a long-standing rivalry. The Bears reached their greatest modern period of success in the 1980s under head coach Mike Ditka, with whom they won Super Bowl XX in the 1985 season. The Bears appeared in their second Super Bowl during the 2006 season, which they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Since 2006, the Bears have struggled to find regular success, going fifteen years in between playoff wins from 2011 to 2026. During that time, the Bears have had 23 different starting quarterbacks and six different head coaches. In September 2025, a sale of a minority stake in the team valued the Bears at $8.9 billion.
- First Meeting
- November 27, 1921
- Total Meetings
- Over 200 games
- Series Leader
- Chicago Bears (historically)
- Key Figure Green Bay
- Vince Lombardi, Curly Lambeau
- Key Figure Chicago
- George Halas, Dick Butkus
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Originally named the Decatur Staleys, the club was established by the A. E. Staley food starch company of Decatur, Illinois, as a company team. The team played independently in 1919, winning the Central Illinois Championship. The company hired George Halas and Edward "Dutch" Sternaman in 1920 to run the team. Full control of the team was turned over to Halas and Sternaman in 1921. The team moved to Chicago in 1921, where the club was renamed the Chicago Staleys. In 1922, Halas changed the team name to the Bears. The team moved into Wrigley Field. The Bears adopted the orange-and-blue colors of the University of Illinois, albeit in a darker shade. The Staleys/Bears dominated the league in the early years. Their rivalry with the Chicago Cardinals, the oldest in the NFL, was key in four out of the first six league titles. The Bears' rivalry with the Green Bay Packers dates back to 1921. In one infamous incident that year, Halas got the Packers expelled from the league to prevent their signing a particular player, and then got them re-admitted after the Bears had closed the deal. The franchise captured the NFL Championship in 1921. On December 7, 1924, the Bears claimed the championship after defeating the Cleveland Bulldogs, but the NFL ruled that games after November 30 did not count, and the Bears settled for second place. Their only first losing season came in 1929. During the 1920s the club triggered the NFL's rule that a player could not be signed until his college's senior class had graduated, after signing Red Grange within a day of his final college game. The Bears added Red Grange to draw more fans. In 1925, the Bears went on a barnstorming tour. After the 1932 season, Halas's partner Dutch Sternaman left the organization. Halas maintained full control of the Bears until his death in 1983. In the 1932 "Unofficial" NFL Championship, the Bears defeated the Portsmouth Spartans in the first NFL playoff game, played indoors at Chicago Stadium. In the first official NFL Championship, the Bears defeated the New York Giants 23–21. The teams met again in the 1934 NFL Championship, where the Giants, wearing sneakers, defeated the Bears 30–13. From 1940 to 1947, quarterback Sid Luckman led the Bears to victories in four out of the five NFL Championship Games in which they appeared. The team acquired the nickname "Monsters of the Midway" and their famous helmet wi
In Their Own Story
Green and yellow clashes with navy blue not just in stats, but in the physical toll exacted on every player who steps onto that turf. Whether under leather helmets or modern armor, the intensity remains unchanged. In the silence between the cheers, two old rivals acknowledge what others cannot: they are bound by history, defined by each other's existence.
Reader's Guide
The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field. The team headquarters and practice facilities are at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois. Training camp has been held at Halas Hall since 2020.
Did You Know?
- The Bears were originally named the Decatur Staleys, after the A. E. Staley food starch company.
- The Bears' nickname was derived from the Chicago Cubs baseball team, as bears' young are called 'cubs'.
- The Bears' colors are navy blue and burnt orange, adopted from the University of Illinois.
- The Bears' 73–0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game remains the most lopsided win in NFL history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Chicago Bears in relation to Green Bay?
They serve as Green Bay's oldest and most historic rival within the National Football League. As founding members, both teams share a unique bond rooted in their shared Midwestern heritage.
When did this rivalry begin?
The franchises first met on November 27, 1921, marking the start of the league's oldest continuous matchup. This initial game established a competitive relationship that has lasted over a century.
Who leads the all-time series between the two teams?
Chicago currently holds the historical advantage with more total victories than Green Bay across their history. Despite this lead, the teams have faced off in over 200 games since their inception.
Which key figures defined this matchup?
Legends such as Vince Lombardi and Curly Lambeau represent Green Bay, while George Halas and Dick Butkus are icons for Chicago. These coaches and players helped cultivate the intense culture surrounding this specific divisional battle.
Why is this rivalry important to fans?
It stands as a cultural institution where tradition meets intensity within the NFC North division. Fans view the contest as a defining struggle for regional supremacy rather than just another regular-season game.
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