Bears All-Quarter Century Team: Wide receivers
For all the ups and downs the Bears have seen, however, they had plenty of talent over the years across offense and defense. Multiple former Bears players are already in the Hall of Fame, while many more provided years of incredible play in the navy and orange.
Advertisement
Here at Bears Wire, we're celebrating the best Bears players at each position over the last 25 years. We're going position by position to name the Bears' All-Quarter Century Team for those who played from 2000 through 2024. Up next are wide receivers, a position that once struggled in Chicago but has seen plenty of production over the last 15 years.
Brandon Marshall
2012 - 2014
279 receptions, 3,524 yards, 31 touchdowns
Nov 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrates his touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
For much of the 21st century, Chicago was where wide receivers went to die. At least according to Muhsin Muhammad, who failed to live up to lofty expectations when he signed as a free agent in 2005. That all changed with the arrival of Brandon Marshall, who gave the Bears their first true superstar wide receiver when he was acquired via trade in 2012 from the Miami Dolphins.
Advertisement
Marshall reunited with quarterback Jay Cutler and wasted no time in reliving their glory days from their time with the Denver Broncos. The star pass catcher set a team single-season record for receptions (118) and receiving yards (1,508) in 2012, earning him First-Team All-Pro honors—the first for a wide receiver in Bears history since Dick Gordon in 1970. Marshall quite literally was the Bears offense that year and followed it up with another stellar campaign in 2013 with over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Though Marshall's Bears career lasted just three seasons, he made a lasting impact on the field. Marshall was a beast who took over games and proved time and time again he would not be denied, whether it was in the open field, in the red zone, or even run blocking.
Alshon Jeffery
2012 - 2016
304 receptions, 4,549 yards, 26 touchdowns
Oct 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears weren't satisfied with adding just one big-bodied wide receiver during the 2012 offseason. After acquiring Marshall, the Bears drafted Alshon Jeffery in the second round of the 2012 draft, and it proved to be a shrewd move. Jeffery broke out his second year, totaling over 1,400 receiving yards while adding seven touchdowns. He broke the team's single-game receiving record early in the season with 218 yards, then broke his own record a couple of months later with 249 yards.
Advertisement
Jeffery was a stellar deep-ball specialist, making unreal catches time and again. He and Marshall were arguably the best receiving duo in the league at the time, which benefitted Jeffery's growth early in his career. Though Jeffery's play dipped in his last two seasons in Chicago due to injuries and suspensions, he was always a threat to make a big play in the passing game. Jeffery has the third-most receiving yards in Bears history, and he likely would have broken Johnny Morris' franchise record had he been able to stay on the field his final couple of seasons. Regardless, Jeffery was one of the best receivers in franchise history, and his 1,421 receiving yards in 2013 is still the second-highest total in a season behind Marshall.
Allen Robinson
2018 - 2021
293 receptions, 3,561 yards, 18 touchdowns
Sep 27, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson II (12) runs against Atlanta Falcons safety Damontae Kazee (27) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
At the end of the 2010s, the Bears desperately needed a proven wide receiver to step up as a reliable option in the pass game. Allen Robinson did that and more when he signed as a free agent in 2018. Robinson wasn't the biggest or fastest player on the field, but he was technically sound and caught pretty much everything thrown his way.
Advertisement
From 2018 through 2020, Robinson had the best three-year stretch of his career in Chicago. He caught 255 passes for 3,151 yards and 17 touchdowns and helped get the Bears to the postseason twice. His performance in the 2018 Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles set a team record for most receiving yards in a playoff game with 143.
For a moment, it looked like Robinson was going to threaten Morris' career franchise record given his production and the possibility of an extension. That didn't happen as Robinson fell off his final season and bounced around the league for the next couple of years. Like other Bears receivers, his tenure didn't end the best, but there's no denying his overall production while in Chicago.
Marty Booker
1999 - 2003, 2008
310 receptions, 3,676 yards, 22 touchdowns
ATLANTA - OCTOBER 12: Marty Booker #86of the Chicago Bears celebrates during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on October 12, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The final spot in our rankings was a toss-up between Marty Booker and DJ Moore, but we opted to go with the former thanks to his Bears longevity and consistent production in an era where passing wasn't as prevalent as it is today. Booker technically joined the Bears in 1999 but didn't break out until 2001, when he totaled 100 receptions (a team record at the time) for 1,071 yards and eight touchdowns.
Advertisement
Booker followed that up with another stellar season, totaling 1,189 yards and six touchdowns. That earned him Pro Bowl honors, the first for a Bears receiver since Dick Gordon in 1972. Booker was on his way to climbing to the top of the Bears' career receiving records but was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2004 for Adewale Ogunleye. The trade proved to be worth it for the Bears, and Booker got his swan song in Chicago when he returned on a one-year deal in 2008.
Honorable mention: DJ Moore
Bears All-Quarter Century Team
6/22: Quarterbacks
6/22: Running backs
6/23: Wide receivers
6/23: Tight ends
6/24: Offensive line
6/24: Defensive tackles
6/25: Defensive ends
6/25: Linebackers
6/26: Cornerbacks
6/26: Safeties
6/27: Specialists
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears All-Quarter Century Team: Wide receivers
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former Clemson star Christian Wilkins released by Raiders in a shocking, sticky situation
Just over a year after making Christian Wilkins one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders are moving on. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders have released Wilkins with the designation of a terminated vested veteran—voiding the remainder of his guaranteed money in the process. Wilkins signed a four-year, $110 million deal with Las Vegas in March 2024, with the expectation he'd anchor their defensive front. But after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot just five games into last season, he never saw the field again. Initially projected to be healthy before the team's 2025 offseason program began, Wilkins experienced a setback in his recovery that kept him out entirely and ultimately landed him on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the start of training camp. The Raiders took issue with how Wilkins managed his rehab, and last month voided the remaining $35.2 million in guarantees on his contract. Wilkins has now filed a grievance with the NFL Players Association to challenge that decision. "This is a situation that is far from over," Schefter noted. Much could depend on the language in Wilkins' deal, particularly regarding rehab obligations and medical care. In six NFL seasons, Wilkins has played in 86 games (82 starts) and tallied 372 total tackles, 22.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Despite being sidelined for most of 2024, the 28-year-old still has plenty of prime years left—making this an unusual and potentially messy end to what began as a marquee signing. At Clemson, Wilkins was a three-time All-American who became the fifth unanimous All-American in school history. The National Champion ended his career with the Tigers, recording 250 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 56 quarterback pressures, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in 2,441 snaps over 59 games, with 49 starts. Whether another team takes a chance on him soon may hinge on how his foot progresses—and how this contract dispute plays out. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions. This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Christian Wilkins released by the Raiders due to a contract breach
USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
Vikings training camp notebook, day 2: Defense continues to flash brilliance
The Vikings roster has reported to Eden Prairie, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Minnesota, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the first time. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell have new extensions, as do their assistants and coordinators. J.J. McCarthy is finally healthy and ready to take over the controls of a franchise that trusted him enough to stick with him when so many other options presented themselves. All in all, the coaching staff remains essentially unchanged, while the roster sees some position groups infused with youth and talent to solidify them. The second day of training camp has wrapped, though, for the team, and there is a lot to break down. We did our best to decide what was worth sharing and discussing, as a lot happened, we narrowed it down to three key points. Of course, we rounded up some quick hitters as well for your enjoyment. Defense has contributors across the board The defense is going to have their work cut out for them once again in 2025 after a strong season in 2024 that saw the team go 14-3. While their offense remains one of the best in the NFL, the defense added some new pieces for Brian Flores to scheme with over the offseason, specifically in the secondary. Players like Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah both come in with mild expectations, and Dallas Turner in his sophomore season is expected to contribute more. The Athletic's Alec Lewis shared some thoughts from the second day as it pertains to this group, and as Olaf would say, "All good things, all good things." Lewis explained, "The Brian Flores defense looks revved up, per usual around this time. Disguised looks. Activity from Levi Drake Rodriguez. Lots of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah." If Byron Murphy Jr. can get help from Rodgers and Okudah, look out. Justin Jefferson leaves early, but fear not The Vikings avoiding injury in 2024 is going to be a pivotal part of the training camp over the next few weeks. Last year it bit former top pick J.J. McCarthy hard to the tune of a torn meniscus, so they are doing what they can to avoid it going forward. That is why Justin Jefferson's early departure from practice may have raised some alarms, but it left the All-Pro wide receiver smiling as if he had pulled it as a joke. Jefferson explained his early departure, saying, "Just having a little bit of tightness. Of course, with the past recent injuries and stuff that I have gone through before, just taking precaution and understanding it's the second day of camp, not the 30th." One would have to imagine we see Jefferson at practice on Friday, even if it is in a limited role. No reason for concern with the star receiver, as of now. Josh Metellus sits out on the second day A day after we discussed how Josh Metellus was practicing and being used as the Swiss Army knife of the Vikings' defense, he was making headlines again. The veteran safety, who is in the middle of a contract situation with the team, missed practice due to what the team reported to be an ankle issue. We have seen players cite injuries as a way to avoid camp and not be a distraction in the media, although that is not what is happening here yet. It does create a situation worth watching, though, for the team and Metellus, and the camp rolls on, and no contract is extended between the parties. Quick hitters
USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code SBWIREDYW: Get 10 100% Profit Boosts for Jays-Tigers, More
If you're a new bettor looking for a low-risk, high-reward welcome offer, then now's a great time to capitalize on the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBWIREDYW that hands you 10 100% profit-boost tokens just for placing a $1 first bet. Here's how it works: Once you start an account, make a $1 first bet on MLB or any of the many other sports you'll see on the Caesars Sportsbook app — one of the nation's leading sports betting apps. Once your first bet gets settled, you get the 10 100% profit-boost tokens no matter how your first bet turned out. You'll have 14 days to use those 10 tokens that double your profit when you attach them to a winning bet. Keep that in mind as you check out the latest Major League Baseball odds on the Caesars Sportsbook app. The Blue Jays are in Detroit to open a four-game series against the Tigers in what very well could be a preview of the ALCS. Toronto just took two of three from the Yankees to move to a season-high four-games over New York atop the AL East, while the Tigers lead the AL Central by eight games despite going 1-9 over their last 10. Eric Lauer (5-2, 2.80 ERA), who has only allowed three runs in two of his nine starts since moving from the Toronto bullpen in May, faces Reese Olson (4-3, 2.71 ERA). Olson threw six innings of 1-hit, shutout ball against the Blue Jays on May 17. Ready to take advantage of one of the most generous sportsbook promos out there? Click the nearest BET NOW button and create an account with the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBWIREDYW. When you do, you'll trigger the Bet $1, Get 10 100% profit-boost tokens offer. Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code SBWIREDYW: 10 100% Profit Boosts Guaranteed for NFL & More As NFL training camps open across the country, Caesars Sportsbook's variety of NFL wagers are tempting. You can bet Super Bowl 60 futures (the Buffalo Bills are the favorite), jump on any of the numerous Week 1 parlays or investigate all the player props. For example, it appears Cincinnati's Joe Burrow is expected to throw the most touchdown passes this year. Remember, you'll always have the latest NFL odds at your fingertips after signing up with the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBWIREDYW. With just a handful of the top-ranked players in the world in attendance this weekend, the 3M Open may not seem worth more than a casual perusal. But that's not the case, as the tournament from TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota, is the penultimate event on the PGA schedule – meaning it's one of the last opportunities for players to collect points to qualify for the FedExCup playoffs. Only the top 70 players qualify for the playoffs, and most of the 3M field is below that number, so you can expect some play from players scrambling to get into the playoff. It takes just minutes to set up your account. That's all the time you need to type in the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBWIREDYW and clinch your 10 100% profit-boost tokens as soon as you play a $1 first bet and see it settled. How to Claim The Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code Bonus Offer It takes just a few moments to secure your Caesars Sportsbook promo code offer: The Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBWIREDYW code entitles you to 10 100% profit-boost tokens just for placing that $1 first bet. You'll have 14 days to use your tokens. Attach a token to any bet that you'd like to double your profit on. Just keep in mind you can't use a token on a bet bigger than $25 or odds more conservative than -10000. The maximum added profit per boost is $2,500. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. But the Caesars Sportsbook promo code features a 1X playthrough policy, so any bonus bet needs to win just once for you to collect the profit in cash.
