Chicago Bears Insider: The Best Offensive Linemen in Chicago Bears History

The offensive line has been a hot topic for fans during the past few months, as Bears quarterbacks were sacked over 50 times in 2010 thanks to a lack of continuity, talent and athleticism in that group.  Fans must remember that this hasn’t always been the case, as the Bears have had some decent offensive lines in the past as well as some decent offensive linemen.

In the spirit of Chicago Bears history, let’s take a look at the ten best offensive linemen in the history of the Bears.

(Note:  This is in no particular order)

Jay Hilgenberg-Center

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LOS ANGELES - SEPTEMBER 30: Center Jay Hilgenberg #63 of the Chicago Bears walks off the field during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 30, 1990 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 24-10. (

If there is still a Chicago Bear out there that deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, it's Jay Hilgenberg. 

He came to the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 1981 and earned a spot on the team thanks to his tenacious play at that center position.

Hilgenberg was a seven time All-Pro and seven time Pro Bowl selection, anchoring the middle of an outstanding offensive line in the middle of the 1980’s.  He is always mentioned as one of the best offensive linemen in Bears history and definitely deserves Hall of Fame consideration.

Keith Van Horne-Offensive Tackle

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20 Nov 1988: Offensive tackle Keith Van Horne of the Chicago Bears works against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won the game, 27-15.

There will be some objection to this one, but if you want the perfect example of a Bears offensive lineman who quietly performed his duties very well on a game by game basis, Keith Van Horne is your guy. 

Van Horne came to the Bears as a first round pick (picked 11th) in the 1981 NFL Draft and played from 1981 to 1993.

Van Horne didn’t go to Pro Bowl and wasn’t named an All-Pro, but he was a rock on the line for the Bears for a long time and was even part of that Super Bowl winning unit in 1985.

Danny Fortmann-Offensive Line

Drafted out of Colgate University in the 9th round (number 78) in the 1936 NFL Draft, Fortmann went on to star for the Bears on the offensive line.  Interestingly, Fortmann had a decision to make when he was drafted as to whether or not he wanted to be a doctor or play football.

After his football career, he did end up living his other dream and became a doctor, even serving as  a team doctor for the “then” Los Angeles Rams.

Fortmann became a member of the Hall of Fame in 1965 and was named to the NFL’s 1930’s All-Decade Team.

Stan Jones-Offensive Tackle/Offensive Guard

The Bears brought in Jones to play the offensive tackle position as a fifth round pick (54th overall), but he ended up switching to the guard position where he excelled.  Jones played with the Bears from 1954-1965 before going to the Washington Redskins. 

Jones is also known for playing the defensive tackle position and played both defensive tackle and guard while at the end of his career with the Bears.

Jones was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and was named All-Pro three times.  He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

Jimbo Covert-Offenisve Tackle

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26 Jan 1986: Quarterback Steve Fuller #4 of the New England Patriots prepares to pass as teammate offensive lineman Jim Covert #74 covers during Super Bowl XX game with the Chicago Bears at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bear

Chicago landed Covert in the 1st round (sixth overall) in the famed 1983 NFL draft, and he stepped in and started at the left tackle position immediately.

Covert went to the Pro Bowl twice during his career and was eventually selected to the 1980’s All-Decade Team.

Covert ended his career with the Bears in 1990.

George Trafton-Center

Trafton came to the Bears in 1920 and became the first center to snap the ball with just one hand (an innovation that has been in practice ever since).  Trafton was a remarkable player for the Bears, and has been perhaps their best center in history.

Trafton was part of the “original Bears”--the Decatur Staleys--and remained with the team when they changed their name to the Chicago Bears. 

He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965.  Trafton was also named an All-Pro six times and was part of the NFL’s 1920’s All-Decade Team.

Tom Thayer-Center/Guard

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29 Nov 1992: Defensive lineman Rob Burnett of the Cleveland Browns works against Chicago Bears offensive lineman Tom Thayer during a game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Browns won the game, 27-14.

Thayer was drafted by the Bears in 1983 as a fourth round pick, but he didn’t join the Bears until 1985 because he spent some time in the USFL with the Chicago Blitz. Thayer may not have been named to a Pro Bowl or named to any special teams, but offered stability on the offensive line at a time when the Bears were the best team in the NFL.

He will be forever linked to the Bears as part of the group that won Super Bowl XX.

Joe Stydahar-Offensive Tackle

The Bears drafted Stydahar in first round (6th overall) out of West Virginia in the 1936 NFL Draft, and he ended up being a huge part of the Bears offense.  Stydahar played from 1936 to 1946.

He earned four NFL All-Star team honors, six All-Pro selections and was named to the 1930’s All Decade Team.

Olin Kreutz-Center

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Olin Kreutz #57 of the Chicago Bears looks on late in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

Kreutz is the only current player on this list and is one of the longest standing members currently on the Bears' active roster.  Kreutz was drafted by the Bears out of Washington in the 1998 draft with their third round pick (64th overall).  He has been a very effective starter for the Bears at the center position, having played in 190 games with 182 starts.

Kreutz has been named to six Pro Bowls, one first team All-Pro selection, one second team All-Pro selection and the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000’s.

Clyde Turner-C

The final name on our list of the top offensive linemen in Bears history is former center Clyde “the Bulldog” Turner.  Turner was taken by the Bears out of Hardin Simmons University in the 1940 NFL draft with the Bear’s first pick (7th overall).  The Bears were the victims of some trickery by the Detroit Lions and Turner almost didn’t come to the Bears, but things worked out and he had a very productive career with the team.

Turner’s last year with the Bears was 1952.

While with the Bears, Turner was a two time NFL All-Star selection, a two time Pro Bowl selection, an eight time All-Pro selection, named to the NFL’s 1940’s All-Decade team, and he has had his jersey number retired by the team.