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One NFL legend every team wishes they could bring back in 2021

By Randy Gurzi

Minnesota Viking Randy Moss (R) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Daunte Culpepper before Buccaneer Ronde Barber (L) in the second quarter 29 October 2000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. AFP PHOTO/Peter MUHLY (Photo by PETER MUHLY / AFP) (Photo by PETER MUHLY/AFP via Getty Images)
Minnesota Viking Randy Moss (R) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Daunte Culpepper before Buccaneer Ronde Barber (L) in the second quarter 29 October 2000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. AFP PHOTO/Peter MUHLY (Photo by PETER MUHLY / AFP) (Photo by PETER MUHLY/AFP via Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Season
Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34), who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1993, carries the ball during a 20-7 victory over the New Orleans Saints on October 7, 1984, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. During this game, Payton broke Jim Brown’s career rushing record. (Photo by Bruce Dierdorff/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bears: Walter Payton, Running Back

This offseason, the Chicago Bears found their new face of the franchise in Andy Dalton. Ok, maybe it’s actually Justin Fields, but Matt Nagy still says he wants to start Dalton in Week 1 for now.

Fields slid down the draft a little and eventually, he was on the board at a spot where Chicago was able to make the leap and add him to their roster. Now a team that made the playoffs as the final Wild Card entrant in 2020 could be even better with a play-maker such as Fields as well as Teven Jenkins at offensive tackle. Jenkins was also a steal for them as the first-round talent fell into the second.

Already armed with a good defense, these new offensive players could help Chicago stay competitive in the NFC. What could help even more is if they had a world-class running back capable of carrying his team on his back. That’s exactly what they did have in Walter Payton who was the face of their offense from in the 1970s and 80s. Drafted fourth overall in 1975, Payton was with Chicago until 1987 and during those 13 years, he had 16,726 yards and 110 touchdowns. Payton is still No. 2 all-time in rushing yards with only Emmitt Smith ahead of him.

The accolades for Payton include five All-Pro selections, nine trips to the Pro Bowl, one Super Bowl Ring, and an MVP in 1977 when he ran for 1,852 yards ad 14 touchdowns. Payton, who passed away far too young, is still honored every year by the league as they hand out the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award to whoever does the best work outside of the game.

Payton, an amazing humanitarian in his own right, won the award in 1977 before it was named after him and set a standard for others to live up to.

Having a player with his talent and leadership on the 2021 Chicago Bears roster would be exactly what they need to become favorites in the NFC North.

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