When you think Chicago Bears, you don't really think passing game. They always been more of a running team especially during the times of Neal Anderson, Matt Forte, and of course Walter Payton.
Even when they did throw the ball, it would still end up in the hands of their top running backs. and that's the reason the Bears' top two all-time leaders in receptions are Payton and Forte. But this does not mean that Chicago has not have any worthwhile receivers. With that in mind, let's go through history and see who are the five best wide receivers in Chicago Bears history.
Honorable mentions:
Marty Booker, Dick Gordon, Brandon Marshall, James Scott, William Gault
5. Alshon Jeffery, 2012-2016
The Bears haven't really had much luck with their wideouts and Jeffery looked like he could have easily been the best in the franchise's history. But alas, he missed too many games and even had a little drama with Jay Cutler so he wore out his welcome in the Windy City.
The Bears were nothing close to good during Jeffery's time in Chicago. The team never won the division or made the playoffs throughout his tenure and they only had a single over .500 season. But for what it's worth, Jeffery still flashed his potential greatness and put up numbers. He did have those two great seasons from 2013 to 2014, when he had at least 85 receptions and got over 1000 receiving yards as well. Those two seasons are still his best career performances to date.
All in all, Jeffery was able to amass 304 receptions for 4,549 yards and 26 touchdowns in a Bears shirt.
4. Curtis Conway, 1993-1999
This might be quite controversial — especially with Bears fans — but you know what they say, stats don't lie.
The reason Curtis Conway is such an infamous figure with Chicagoans is because though he objectively produced at an above average level, he just didn't live up to the hype. Conway was a First Team All-American in college and this led to the Bears taking him seventh overall in the 1993 draft. Though his career needed a few years to ramp up, he did eventually break through with back-to-back 100o-plus yard seasons, also catching 19 touchdowns in that stretch.
Fans questioned him because of all the games he missed and his comments about the cold weather in Chicago didn't help as well.
At the end of the day, he still had 329 receptions for 4,498 yards and 31 touchdowns with the team and that easily puts him in the top five.
3. Ken Kavanaugh, 1940-1941 and 1945-1950
Arguably the most successful receiver in the history of Chicago, Kavanaugh wasn't just impressive on a football field, but he was great in the air too — literally.
Kavanaugh left to fight in World War II as a fighter pilot and returned to play for the Bears after a successful stint in the war. He made it to two Pro Bowls and he helped the franchise win three NFL titles during his time.
His numbers don't jump out the page but considering the era he played in, they are impressive nonetheless. Kavanaugh totaled 162 receptions, 3,626 yards, and 50 touchdowns in his seven years of playing in Chicago.
2. Johnny Morris, 1958-1967
The franchise's leader in receiving yards, Johnny Morris, comes in at number two.
The UC Santa Barbara spent his entire career in Chicago an although not impressive when compared to the rest of the league, his 5,059 yards still takes top spot in team history. He also ranks third in receptions with 356 and fifth in touchdowns with 31 total.
He was a team player and served in whatever role coaches saw fit, including even playing running back at times. He led the NFL in multiple categories during the 1964 season but his biggest achievement would have to be helping the Bears win a title back in 1963.
1. Harlon Hill, 1954-1961
Not the winningest among Bears wideouts and not the top at any major statistical category either, Hill is our number one simply because if it weren't for an injury that derailed his career, he would most likely have topped all the current leaders.
Hill was prolific even in his rookie season and he would eventually go on to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. Hill first did it in 1954 and again in 1955 the same year he won league MVP. Unfortunately, injuries caught up with him, including an achilles tear in only his eighth year as a pro.
Though his career was cut short, Hill was still able to haul in 226 receptions for 4,616 yards and 40 touchdowns. The last two categories both being second all time in Chicago Bears franchise history.
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