Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Who have been the players recently picked with the 20th selection in the draft?
Brian G.
Davenport, Iowa
The last 10 players chosen at No. 20 (with the pick the Bears own in the 2021 draft) have been Jaguars defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (2020), Broncos tight end Noah Fant (2019), Lions center Frank Ragnow (2018), Broncos tackle Garett Bowles (2017), Jets outside linebacker Darron Lee (2016), Eagles receiver Nelson Agholor (2015), Saints receiver Brandin Cooks (2014), Bears guard Kyle Long (2013), Titans receiver Kendall Wright (2012) and Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn (2011).
How many times have the Bears traded for a quarterback?
Ross A.
Minnesota
The Bears have acquired seven quarterbacks via trades since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970. They are Zeke Bratkowski (1972), Randy Mattingly (1974), Mike Phipps (1977), Steve Fuller (1984), Rick Mirer (1997), Jay Cutler (2009) and Nick Foles (2020). Phipps was acquired from the Browns in exchange for a 1977 fourth-round pick and 1978 first-round selection (No. 20 overall). He appeared in 31 games with 20 starts over five seasons with the Bears from 1977-81, completing 52.5 percent of his passes for 2,806 yards with 15 touchdowns, 27 interceptions and a 57.1 passer rating. He helped lead the Bears to a wild card berth in 1979, when he won nine of 10 starts. Fuller was acquired from the Rams in exchange for a 1984 11th-round pick and a 1985 sixth-round selection. He served primarily as Jim McMahon's backup in three seasons with the Bears from 1984-86, but Fuller compiled a 6-5 record as a fill-in starter. That included three straight wins during the memorable 1985 championship season by a combined score of 104-3. Mirer was acquired from the Seahawks along with a fourth-round pick in exchange for a first-round selection (No. 11 overall). He spent just one season with the Bears, appearing in seven games and losing all three of his starts, failing to pass for a touchdown while throwing six interceptions. Cutler was obtained from the Broncos along with a fifth-round pick the Bears used to draft receiver Johnny Knox in exchange for quarterback Kyle Orton, two first-round picks and one third-round pick. Cutler set all-time Bears records in most passing categories but only led the team to one playoff appearance in eight seasons. Foles was acquired from the Jaguars in exchange for a compensatory fourth-round pick. This past season he appeared in nine games with seven starts, throwing for 1,852 yards with 10 touchdowns, eight interceptions and an 80.8 rating.
When was the last time the Bears had the same record in back-to-back seasons like they did (at 8-8) in 2019 and 2020?
Eddie L.
Downers Grove, Illinois
The last time that occurred was in 1997-98 when the Bears went 4-12 in each of Dave Wannstedt's final two seasons as coach. It's happened seven other times in franchise history: 9-7 in 1994-95, 4-10 in 1974-75, 6-8 in 1970-71, 8-4 in 1958-59, 8-4 in 1954-55, 9-3 in 1949-50, and 8-3 in 1939-40. The Bears have never had the same record in three straight seasons.
Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week. Email your question to Larry.
