The 1985 Chicago Bears: The Greatest Football Team in NFL History
There have been many great teams in the history of the National Football League—dynasties, legends, MVPs, and Hall of Famers—but no team has ever captured the heart of a city, dominated the league, and left a legacy quite like the 1985 Chicago Bears. They were more than a football team; they were a cultural phenomenon. From their bone-crushing defense to their unforgettable swagger, the ’85 Bears didn’t just win—they conquered, entertained, and rewrote the rules of greatness.
A Defense Built Like a Wall of Iron
At the core of the 1985 Bears’ dominance was a defense that is still considered the greatest ever assembled. The “46 Defense,” masterminded by defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, was aggressive, innovative, and downright terrifying. Offenses across the league had no answer for it. Led by legendary middle linebacker Mike Singletary, who was the heart and soul of the unit, the Bears smothered opponents week after week. Richard Dent, Steve McMichael, Dan Hampton, Otis Wilson, Wilber Marshall—the names alone send chills down the spines of old quarterbacks.
That season, the Bears gave up just 198 total points in 16 games—an average of just 12.4 per game. They shut out two teams in the playoffs—the Giants and the Rams—before destroying the Patriots 46–10 in Super Bowl XX. That level of postseason dominance had never been seen before. No team, not the Steel Curtain, not the Legion of Boom, not even the Patriots’ dynasty, played defense with that level of violence, speed, and sheer will.
A Coach with Fire and Flair
Mike Ditka was the perfect coach for this team: fiery, passionate, and unapologetically Chicago. He wasn’t just a coach—he was a symbol of the Bears’ grit. He and Buddy Ryan didn’t always get along, but that tension only fueled the fire. Ditka demanded toughness, and the team delivered.
An Offense with Attitude
Yes, the defense was legendary—but don’t sleep on the offense. At quarterback, Jim McMahon wasn’t flashy, but he was fearless, efficient, and exactly the kind of maverick the Bears needed. He brought swagger to the huddle, and the team fed off his energy.
Then there was Walter Payton—”Sweetness” himself. One of the greatest running backs to ever play the game, Payton was the team’s engine and moral compass. Though he didn’t score in the Super Bowl, his presence and performance throughout the season were instrumental. He ran, he blocked, he even passed. Walter Payton could do it all—and did it with grace and grit.
The Bears also had weapons like wide receiver Willie Gault, tight end Emery Moorehead, and fullback Matt Suhey, who helped bulldoze opponents every week. It was a complete team.
The Super Bowl Shuffle: Confidence Turned Culture
No team in NFL history has dropped a music video mid-season and still gone on to dominate the league. The “Super Bowl Shuffle,” recorded before the playoffs even began, was bold, brash, and absolutely iconic. Critics said it was premature. The Bears didn’t care. They knew how good they were—and they backed it up.
The video featured players rapping (yes, rapping) about their talent, their team, and their inevitable Super Bowl victory. The song went platinum, was nominated for a Grammy, and showed the world that this team wasn’t just elite—they were unforgettable.
A Season for the Ages
The Bears went 15–1 in the regular season. Their only loss, a fluke against the Dolphins, only served to refocus the team. They outscored opponents 456 to 198. In the playoffs, they pitched back-to-back shutouts and capped it off with the most lopsided Super Bowl win in history at the time.
And they did it all with style, fury, and a unity that has become rare in modern football.
Legacy That Still Echoes
The 1985 Chicago Bears weren’t just the best team of their year—they were the best team of all time. Their combination of talent, coaching, charisma, and cultural impact has never been duplicated. They weren’t built to last forever, but they didn’t need to. In one incredible season, they reached a level of dominance and fame that will never be forgotten.
To this day, fans still chant, “85 Bears!” with pride. Documentaries, reunions, and retrospectives continue to honor their greatness. When people talk about the greatest teams ever, the ‘85 Bears are always in the conversation—and for many, they are the conversation.
They didn’t just play football.
They changed it.
