The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL’s oldest franchises and have a rich history that spans over a century. However, the Bears were much more successful in the early days of the organization, as they have struggled to hoist the Lombardi Trophy during the Super Bowl era. Let’s examine the Bears’ Super Bowl history, plus how many NFL Championships Chicago won prior to the Super Bowl era.
How Many Super Bowls Have the Chicago Bears Won?
The Bears only have one Super Bowl victory, but their 1985 team that won it all is widely regarded as one of the best squads in NFL history. Led by legendary head coach Mike Ditka, Chicago lost just one game en route to Super Bowl XX.
Led by RB Walter Payton, QB Jim McMahon, LB Mike Singletary, and DT William “Refrigerator” Perry, the Bears shut out their first two postseason opponents, the New York Giants (defeating them 21-0) and Los Angeles Rams (beating them 24-0).
On Jan. 26, 1986, the Bears faced the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome. What followed was nothing short of a beatdown. The Bears’ suffocating defense, known as the “46,” completely shut down the Patriots’ offense. Meanwhile, the Bears’ offense put on a show, even allowing Perry to score a touchdown.
MORE: Ranking the 15 Best Chicago Bears Players of All-Time
The Bears ultimately defeated the Patriots 46-10. Richard Dent won Super Bowl MVP after forcing two fumbles and recording two sacks. Chicago dominated that postseason, outscoring their opponents 91-10.
This game cemented the ’85 Bears as one of the most memorable teams in NFL history. The “Super Bowl Shuffle” became a cultural phenomenon, and the team’s larger-than-life personalities captured America’s imagination.
The One That Got Away: Super Bowl XLI
It would be 21 years before the Bears returned to the big game. Led by head coach Lovie Smith, the 2006 season saw the Bears advance to the Super Bowl once again.
Led by LB Brian Urlacher, WR Devin Hester, and QB Rex Grossman, the Bears won the NFC North with a 13-3 record and then defeated the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints on their path to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XLI, played on Feb. 4, 2007, pitted the Bears against the Indianapolis Colts. Hester, who is widely regarded as the best kick returner of all time, returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. It marked the first time that this happened in Super Bowl history, and it has yet to happen since.
Of course Devin Hester took the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl to the house.
(Super Bowl XLI: Feb. 4, 2007) @D_Hest23 @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/gUaO6WflCc
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) January 22, 2019
However, Peyton Manning and the Colts proved too much for the Bears, defeating them 29-17. Manning earned Super Bowl MVP honors.
For Bears fans, this loss was a bitter pill to swallow. It highlighted the team’s ongoing struggle to find a franchise quarterback, a theme that would continue for years to come.
The Bears haven’t returned to the Super Bowl since, although they came close in 1988 (when they lost in the NFC Championship Game to the eventual-champion San Francisco 49ers) and in 2010 (when they were defeated in the NFC Championship Game by the eventual-champion Green Bay Packers).
However, it’s worth noting that prior to the Super Bowl era (which began in 1967), the Bears won seven NFL Championships in 1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, and 1946. Counting those titles, the Bears have eight championships, which is second-most in the NFL behind only the Packers (13).