Chicago Bears: The 9 Biggest Underachieving Bears of the 2000s

The Bears as a team have had their ups and downs since the new century started, and with that, there have been several players who have also failed to produce to the level that they were expected to.

Sure, there are some players that were just awful—Adam Archuleta comes to mind—but really, did anyone other than the coaching staff expect that much from the guy?

Meanwhile, there were first-round picks and other players who were supposed to be solid pro football players, even stars, but failed miserably (or are on their way to failing).

Let's expose these players who are not worthy to wear the blue and orange of the Monsters of the Midway. These frauds, impostors and posers somehow failed to perform as expected. In some cases, injuries derailed them.

Strap it down and take a ride of the Bears Stupor Bowl Shuffle.

Tommie Harris

Sure, Harris had a couple of really top notch seasons for the Bears. But a player this good to suddenly lose his skills is frustrating.

Yes, injuries certainly played a role. But he also seemed indifferent and even lazy at times.

Harris was drafted by the Bears 14th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He was a three time Pro Bowl selection (2005-2007) as well as an All-Pro pick in 2005. He was even compared to a young Warren Sapp.

Making matters worse, in the Tampa 2 defense the Bears employ, it is especially crucial to have a stud three-technique at defensive tackle.

Harris was released by the Bears in February.

Chester Taylor

There is still time for Taylor to prove his worth, but the Bears certainly expected a lot more when they signed the former Vikings back to a four year, $12.5 million contract at the start of last season's free agent period.

Taylor simply had one of the worst seasons for a running back with 100 or more carries in NFL history. That's right, NFL history.

Taylor averaged 2.38 yards per carry during the 2010 regular season. That is the lowest average for a running back since the merger. He had no burst through the tackles.

Despite reports to the contrary, the Bears will not be releasing Taylor. His base salary in 2011 is scheduled to be just $1.275 million. Since they have already paid him $7 million they may as well keep him for one more year.

Maybe he'll be more motivated.

Chris Williams

There are a number of Bears first-round picks that have flopped and Chris Williams may well be on his way to achieving (underachieving?) that as well.

Despite rumors that he was damaged goods, the Bears took the LT with the 14th pick of the 2008 draft. He almost immediately had back problems, resulting in a herniated disc for which he underwent surgery.

He played right tackle, then was moved to left tackle. He was injured again in 2010 in the second game, and when he came back was moved to left guard.

Perhaps "left out" is the only position for Williams.

Michael Haynes

This former defensive tackle was drafted by the Bears with the 14th pick in the 2003 draft (hmmm, same pick as Chris Williams).

About the only thing to say about him is that he was released from the Bears in 2006, was picked up by the Saints, and cut one week later. 

The following season, Haynes was signed by the Jets, and it only took them one day to realize he couldn't play.

It's hard to believe that he was the 2002 Big Ten defensive player of the year.

David Terrell

Maybe the reason that Jerry Angelo didn't draft a wide receiver in this year's NFL draft is because he's still having nightmares over David Terrell.

Drafted with the eighth overall pick in the 2001 draft, his career stats look like this: 128 receptions, 1,602 receiving yards and nine TDs.

Sure, the Bears didn't have anyone good to throw him the ball, but he attempted to come back with both the Patriots and Broncos and failed there too.

One last attempt with Kansas City in 2009 marked the end of his disappointing career.

Marc Colombo

Colombo was certainly a disappointment to the Bears, even if he has gone on to become a good player with the Dallas Cowboys.

He was the 29th overall pick in the 2002 draft. He spent three injury-plagued seasons with the Bears before being released after the 2005 season.

However, since signing with Dallas, he has been stellar, at least until breaking his left fibula in 2009. That only makes him even more disappointing as a Bear, though he couldn't help it.

Cedric Benson

Benson was drafted with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft. But his career got off to a bad start as he held out through training camp.

His teammates didn't take to him, and they liked Thomas Jones, one of the leaders on the team. Jones played so well that the Bears gave Benson only spotty time, with his best game against the Saints as he rushed for eighty yards on sixteen carries. 

Benson soon got hurt and also got into Lovie Smith's doghouse by criticizing the head coach. Despite flashes of what he displayed at Texas, Benson had run into trouble with the law and was released by the Bears in 2008.

Benson soon signed with the Bengals, where he has thrived, rushing for over 1,200 yards in just 13 games.

Kordell Stewart

There are so many underachieving QBs in the Bears history that the entire slideshow could be devoted to them. But since Cade McNown was drafted in 1999 and was soon a memory, and guys like Henry Burris never did inspire, I'll pick "Slash" to make this list.

The Bears signed Stewart in 2003 but he failed to impress, and his interceptions were too much and he was released in 2004.

Rex Grossman

Alright, I'll include another former Bears QB to this list, especially since he came with much fanfare.

Actually, by taking the Bears to the Super Bowl, the expectations were raised, but the fact that he was awful in that game and was so wildly inconsistent makes him a prime target for Bears fans to remember not-so-fondly.

One game he was good, the next he had a QB rating of zero. Good Rex, bad Rex.

He finished the 2007 season with four TDs, seven INTs and a 67.1 QB rating.

Now, some may believe that Jay Cutler belongs on this list and I will admit he has a lot to live up to, as his strong arm and talent are certainly better than what he's produced so far. But I believe the best is yet to come for Cutler, who needs an improved O-line and better weapons around him.