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.
Reading over this year's undrafted free agent signings, I wonder if the Bears have ever picked up any UDFAs that have had notable careers or made Pro Bowls?
Jesse C.
Manassas, Virginia
The Bears have unearthed quite a few undrafted free agent gems over the years, including a Hall of Famer and a seven-time Pro Bowler. The Hall of Famer is defensive end Ed Sprinkle, who George Halas once called "the greatest pass rusher I've ever seen." Sprinkle played his entire NFL career for the Bears from 1944-55. He was voted to four Pro Bowls, named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1940s and was part of the Hall of Fame's Class of 2020. Center Jay Hilgenberg joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 1981 and played 11 seasons in Chicago, starting seven straight Pro Bowls. Other top undrafted free agents include receivers Dennis McKinnon and Tom Waddle. A few years ago, I ranked the top 10 undrafted free agents in Bears history. Click through the photos below to check out my list.
Senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the top 10 undrafted free agents in Bears history:
(10) Mike Tomczak, quarterback (1985-90)
Tomczak appeared in 77 games with 31 starts in six seasons with the Bears, compiling a 21-10 record while passing for 6,247 yards and 33 touchdowns.
(9) Brian Piccolo, running back (1965-69)
Piccolo rushed for 927 yards and four touchdowns on 258 carries and caught 58 passes for 537 yards and one TD in five seasons before cancer tragically took his life at age 26.
(8) James Allen, running back (1998-2001)
Allen rushed for 1,978 yards and four touchdowns and caught 86 passes for 662 yards and three TDs while appearing in 50 games with 27 starts over four seasons.
(7) Leslie Frazier, cornerback (1981-85)
A starting cornerback on the 1985 Super Bowl championship team, Frazier had 20 interceptions—returning two for touchdowns—in 65 games over five seasons.
(6) Tom Waddle, receiver (1989-94)
Waddle caught 173 passes for 2,109 yards and nine touchdowns while appearing in 60 games over six seasons. He also had nine catches in a playoff loss to Dallas.
(5) Dennis McKinnon, receiver (1983-89)
A starter on the 1985 Super Bowl team, McKinnon caught 180 passes for 2,840 yards and 21 touchdowns and returned three punts for TDs in 85 games.
(4) James "Big Cat" Williams, tackle (1991-2002)
Converted from defensive line to offensive line as a rookie, Big Cat appeared in 166 games with 143 starts over 12 seasons and earned one Pro Bowl nod.
(3) Roosevelt Taylor, safety (1961-69)
Taylor was voted to two Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro in 1963 when he led the NFL with nine interceptions and helped lead the Bears to the NFL championship.
(2) Ed Sprinkle, defensive end (1944-55)
Sprinkle, who George Halas once called "the greatest pass rusher I've ever see," was voted to four Pro Bowls and named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1940s.
(1) Jay Hilgenberg, center (1981-91)
In 11 seasons, Hilgenberg started seven straight Pro Bowls and was voted first-team All-Pro five times while appearing in 163 games with 130 starts.
I know the Bears didn't draft a quarterback and I'm pretty sure they didn't sign an undrafted free agent. So who played quarterback at the rookie minicamp?
Bob P.
Iowa
The Bears had two quarterbacks at their rookie minicamp: Ryan Willis, who was one of four first-year pros; and Drew Plitt, who was among 36 undrafted rookies participating on a tryout basis. Willis was signed to the Bears practice squad last Dec. 18 and flexed to the active roster to back up Nick Foles in a Week 16 win in Seattle. Willis then signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears Jan. 11. Plitt played the last five seasons at Ball State, passing for 9,061 yards and 68 touchdowns.
How many punters have the Bears drafted? It seems to me like it's a rare occurrence.
Dave W.
Hobart, Indiana
Since the NFL Draft was reduced to seven rounds in 1994, the Bears have now selected three punters: Todd Sauerbrun in the second round in 1995, Pat O'Donnell in the sixth round in 2014 and Trenton Gill in the seventh round this year. The only other punter the Bears have drafted since 1987 was Chris Gardocki in the third round in 1991.
Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week. Email your question to Larry.
