Chicago Bears: Top 10 linebackers in franchise history

10. Otis Wilson (1980-87) — 514 tackles, 10 interceptions, 36 sacks

Otis Wilson will always be known as part of an incredible Chicago Bears great trio. He, Marshall, and Singletary wreaked havoc, especially in their incredible 1985 Super Bowl run. With Singletary in the middle and Marshall on his other side, defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan used Wilson to take off and terrorize opposing quarterbacks. When he wasn’t sacking them, he pressured them into mistakes.

9. Larry Morris (1959-65)

Larry Morris starred in the Bears’ 1963 championship game against the New York Giants. He intercepted a Y.A. Tittle and took it 61 yards to the Giants’ 6-yard line. He also knocked Tittle out for nearly half the game. Morris was the MVP of the title game and brought the Bears’ first title in 17 years. Morris was named to the NFL All-Decade team for the 1960s.

8. Doug Buffone (1966-79) — 24 interceptions, 1,257 tackles, 37 sacks

Doug Buffone played in 14 seasons for the Chicago Bears. That ranks him second on the all-time franchise list (Patrick Mannelly, 16 seasons). Also, he played in an era of losing. In his career, he played in just three winning seasons. Buffone’s 24 interceptions led all Bears linebackers. In fact, his first two interceptions were on future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas.

Former Bears great and Buffone’s best friend, Ed O’Bradovich, hosted a Bears postgame show on WSCR-AM 670. This is how he described Buffone upon his death in 2015 (via the Chicago Tribune):

"Being with Doug the last 49 years, I know that no one person…that played the game of football loved it more than Doug did. The bottom line is he was true and loyal to his family, to football and to his friends. I cannot tell you how much I will miss him."

After he finished his NFL career, Buffone went on to found the Arena League with the Chicago Bruisers. Also, he was involved with the USFL’s Chicago Blitz.