Tag: Jim Covert

10 best first round picks in Chicago Bears history

Here’s a look at the 10 best first-round picks by the Bears in franchise history, a list that includes all Hall of Famers.

The Chicago Bears have had some memorable — and Hall of Fame — first-round picks during their storied 102-year history, with linebacker Brian Urlacher being the most recent.

Chicago hasn’t had much success in the first round in recent history — whether it was during the Jerry Angelo, Phil Emery or Ryan Pace eras. The hope is that changes with quarterback Justin Fields, who was the team’s last first-round pick in 2021.

After not having a first-round selection in three of the last four years, the Bears will pick in the top 10 in the 2023 NFL draft. They traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for two first-round picks, two second-round selections and wide receiver DJ Moore.

But Chicago does have the No. 9 pick — which will be Ryan Poles’ first-ever first-round selection — something that worked out well for the franchise back in 2000.

Here’s a look at the 10 best first-round picks by the Bears in team history, a list that includes all Hall of Famers:

Matt Suhey will introduce Bears Hall of Famer Jimbo Covert

Jimbo Covert chose former Bears running back Matt Suhey to introduce him into the Hall of Fame, as a way to also honor Walter Payton.

No one has more Hall of Famers than the Chicago Bears. And they’re going to gain two more members this year.

Offensive lineman Jimbo Covert and defensive end/linebacker Ed Sprinkle are among 10 senior inductees — all of whom last played in the NFL more than 25 years ago — that will be inducted into the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

To celebrate the league’s storied 100-year history, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will feature a special centennial class, which features 20 inductees. Ten of those are senior inductees.

“I’ve been on Cloud Nine for two weeks,” Covert told the Sun-Times. “It’s been a lot of fun. Phone calls, texts—it’s been really cool.”

Covert, the sixth overall pick the 1983 NFL Draft, was a cornerstone of a Bears offensive line that led the NFL in rushing for four consecutive seasons from 1983-1986 with all-time great Walter Payton. Covert played his entire nine-year career with the Bears, during which he was a two-time All-Pro selection, a member of the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team and a Super Bowl XX champion.

While Covert has already been involved with the creation of his Hall of Fame bust, he also made the decision to reach out to a former teammate to introduce him at his induction.

Covert chose former Bears running back Matt Suhey to introduce him, as a way to honor another teammate.

“I think it’s appropriate,” Covert said. “Him and Walter [Payton] were such good friends, and it feels like both of them are going to do it together. It’s a great thing.”

With the additions of Covert and Sprinkle, the Bears have 30 Hall of Famers, which continues to be the most in NFL history.

4 Bears that could be next in line for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Jim Covert and Ed Sprinkle are the latest Bears to be named to the Hall of Fame. But who will be the next? We take a look.

The Chicago Bears have a rich history of talent in their 100-year history, which is epitomized by their NFL-most 28 Hall of Famers. That number increased to 30 following the additions of two more Bears to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Offensive lineman Jim Covert and defensive end/linebacker Ed Sprinkle will be the latest Bears inducted into the Hall of Fame, as they were voted to the 2020 centennial class as part of the senior inductees.

But who will be the next Bears inducted into the Hall of Fame?

Here are four Bears players that could be the next to be enshrined:

1. Devin Hester

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

When you’re the best to ever play your position, that should be an automatic bid to the Hall of Fame. Devin Hester was the best kick returner to ever play the game. Not only does he have the stats, he affected the game in a significant way.

Hester, who was a three-time first-team All Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, has an impressive resume. He has more punt returns (14) than anyone in NFL history with 14; his 20 total non-offensive touchdowns are also the most in league history; and he has the highest average yards per punt return among those with at least 300 returns in NFL history.

The only problem is special teamers rarely get inducted into the Hall of Fame. In fact, there are only three: kickers Morten Andersen and Jan Stenerud and punter Ray Guy.

Will Hester be one of the exceptions? Guess we’ll have to wait and see starting as early as 2022, when Hester is first eligible for the Hall of Fame.

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Jim Covert, Ed Sprinkle elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Chicago Bears’ storied history of Hall of Famers will gain two more in 2020 as Jim Covert and Ed Sprinkle were elected to Hall of Fame.

The Chicago Bears’ storied history of Hall of Famers will gain two more in 2020.

Bears offensive lineman Jim Covert and defensive end/linebacker Ed Sprinkle have been named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class, NFL Network revealed on Good Morning Football Wednesday morning.

Covert and Sprinkle are among 10 senior inductees — all of whom last played in the NFL more than 25 years ago — who were chosen from 20 finalists last week at the Hall of Fame.

Covert, the sixth overall pick the 1983 NFL Draft, was a cornerstone piece of a Bears offensive line that led the NFL in rushing for four consecutive seasons from 1983-86 with all-time great Walter Payton. Covert played his entire nine-year career with the Bears, during which he was a two-time All-Pro selection, member of the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team and a Super Bowl XX champion.

Sprinkle, who played his entire 12-year NFL career with the Bears from 1944-55, was part of the Monsters of the Midway, who won the league championship in 1946. He made four Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1940s.

Sprinkle has been called everything from “the meanest man in football” to “the greatest pass rusher I’ve ever seen,” by George Halas.

Following the Centennial Class’ induction, the Bears will have 30 Hall of Famers, which continues to be the most in NFL history.

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