The Bears landed four players on the NFL All-Decade Team for the 2010s that was announced Monday: defensive end Julius Peppers, outside linebacker Khalil Mack, and kick returners Devin Hester and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Where do the four stack up among the 52 players on the all-star squad? The aptly-named Adam Rank of NFL.com ranked all the players based on the accolades they earned and the impact they made on the game from 2010-19.
Here's where Rank ranks the four Bears, followed by his comments about each of them:
12. Khalil Mack
Rank's comment: "This Chicago Bears great should probably be first on this list. I know, I know. But being objective here, Mack has been a consistent nuisance to quarterbacks since the Raiders selected him out of Buffalo with the fifth overall pick in 2014. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 and is the only defender with 60-plus sacks, 20-plus forced fumbles and two-plus INTs since 2014, per NFL Media research. His trade to the Bears sent waves throughout the league in 2018. And while that doesn't really have anything to do with his place on this list, I like recognizing that deal as one of those rare occurrences where both teams can legitimately feel happy with the outcome, with the Raiders landing four picks, including two first-rounders."
31. Cordarrelle Patterson
Rank's comment: "Seems strange to have Patterson higher on this list than Hester, but CP was fantastic during the decade. Despite getting a late start, he ranked first in kick return yards (6,101), TDs (seven) and average (29.9 yards, min. 20 returns) during the 10-year period."
37. Devin Hester
Rank's comment:"This one is really tough. Hester is obviously a Hall of Famer and would get my vote for the best returner of all time. But based only on the 2010s? Unfortunately, I just can't move him up any higher ... as much as I want to."
46. Julius Peppers
Rank's comment: "Another player who had a long, distinguished career in the NFL that will one day land him in the Hall of Fame. Peppers posted four double-digit sack seasons from 2010 to '19 -- all after his 30th birthday."
