Born: June 28, 1936 (Wheeling, West Virginia), High school: Warwood High School (Wheeling, West Virginia), NFL career: 15 seasons (1958-60, 1961-73), Teams: Chicago Bears (1958-59), Dallas Cowboys (1961-73), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1971), Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (1970), six-time Pro Bowl (1965-69, 1971), six-time Pro Bowl (1966-71). Lambert's size and speed and ability to control a game from the middle linebacker position made him one of the greatest players of all time. Nick Buoniconti Nick Buoniconti played for the Boston Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. Over his career, Lanier made a name for himself for his aggressive tackling abilities earning him the nickname Contact. Born: Sept. 29, 1966 (Jacksonville, Illinois), High school: Westchester High School (Los Angeles), Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1988-93) San Francisco 49ers (1994-2000), Career highlights: Three-time Super Bowl champion (1992-94), three-time Pro Bowl (1993, 1995, 1997), two-time All-Pro (1993, 1995). 5-time Pro Bowler15. Richter was the valedictorian of his class at Cal, then went and served two years in the Army and fought in the Korean War before starting his NFL career. 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year Jackson retired in the top three in NFL history for sacks (128) and fumble recoveries (28). Super Bowl XXVIII champion High school: Champion High School (Champion Township, Ohio), Career highlights: Seven-time Pro Bowl (1975, 1977-79, 1981-83), six-time All-Pro (1977-81, 1983), seven-time All-AFC (1976-79, 1981-83), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1978). He led the University of Minnesota to a national title in 1960, then won two AFL championships and a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. Lambert averaged 146 tackles through his first 10 seasons, but only played a handful of games in his 11th season because of a toe injury that led to his retirement. Super Bowl XXVII champion You may have never heard of Joe Schmidt, but he was the single most dominant NFL linebacker through the 1950s and the early part of the 1960s. Bednarik, who the Philadelphia Eagles selected with the first overall pick in the 1949 NFL Draft, helped build the Eagles into a defensive power house. Buoniconti would go on to register 32 interceptions over his career between the AFL and NFL. Chuck Bednarik Chuck Bednarik wasn't just one of the best Eagles linebackers he was THE BEST linebacker and one of the best players of all time. Bill Forester is one of the greatest examples of Vince Lombardi's genius as a coach. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. How deep was Nitschke in pop culture during his career? Jackson only missed two games in his 13 seasons with the Saints in 1989 because of a car accident. Bill Bergey went from being a star at Arkansas State to a star with the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFL until owner Paul Brown leveraged him for a pair of first-round draft picks and a second-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles. That is the highest among all linebackers. 13 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. High school: Lovington High School (Lovington, New Mexico), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2005), five-time All-Pro (2001, 2002. For new posts and be up to date to win $50 to Fanatics or Amazon. Super Bowl XXI champion16. Brugler had both Wisconsin's Nick Herbig and Alabama's Henry To'oTo'o ranked ahead of Williams. 8-time Pro Bowler Robinson's name has been somewhat lost to history because he played next to the great Ray Nitschke, on Nitschke's left side. Bednarik, who the Philadelphia Eagles selected with the first overall pick in the 1949 NFL Draft, helped build the Eagles into a defensive power house. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the New York Jets, and it was long enough ago that the Jets were actually pretty good. Master Your Draft Strategy With Our Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator. Super Bowl VIII champion Huff became the first rookie middle linebacker to start an NFL championship game, leading the Giants to the title in 1956 and led them to four more NFL championship games, losing each time. He beat a double-murder charge before the 2000 season following the stabbing deaths of two men in a fight after a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. 1994 Walter Payton Man of the Year Samurai Mike had crazy eyes that struck fear into an opposing offense even before he laid the smack down. Super Bowl XXXIX champion, The foreman of the Steel Curtain defense, Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. London Fletcher, St. Louis Rams (1998-2001), Buffalo Bills (02-06), Washington Redskins (07-12) 8-time Pro Bowler Those are both more than Mecklenburg's career totals, and Gradishar played two fewer seasons. A name that may have been slotted inside of the top five on the list of middle linebackers if his career was longer is the former San Francisco 49ers great Patrick Willis. He took his skills as a free agent to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won two Super Bowls. His 0-6 record in the postseason is an NFL record for most playoff games without a win. 2-time first-team All-Pro 1969 Defensive Player of the Year No NFL team has the linebacker tradition of the Bears, who boast Hall of Famers Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Urlacher and Mack, a future Hall of Famer, among their all-time greats. Bulluck played mainly on special teams his first two seasons with the Titans before a breakout season in 2002. Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears (1981-92)Hall of Fame, Class of 1998 9-time Pro Bowler Hall of Fame, Class of 2006 The former Green Bay Packers middle linebacker was a key member of the team and the leader on the defensive side of the football that helped the Packers win five NFL Championships and Super Bowl I and II Championships. Inducted into the Hall of Fame as recently as 2016, Greene's career was arguably underrated. His best season was in 2008, when he had over 100 tackles and helped lead the Arizona Cardinals to an NFC championship and into the Super Bowl. Nobis was the first overall pick in the 1966 NFL draft and the first player picked by the expansion Atlanta Falcons. He only played on teams with winning records three times in his career and only made two playoff appearances. High school: Maggie L. Walker (Richmond, Virginia), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1969), six-time Pro Bowl (1970-75), eight-time All-Pro (1968-75), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1986). Despite a 101-year history, the Cardinals haven't produced a Hall of Famer at linebackerbut they've still had plenty of . Over his career Willis racked up 865 tackles to go with 20.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and eight interceptions. Porter's 40% forced incompletion rate in 2022 led all Power Five cornerbacks. The Bears have fielded four of the best middle linebackers in NFL history: Dick Butkus, Bill George, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears (2000-12)2005 Defensive Player of the Year Born: Dec. 23, 1948 (Johnstown, Pennsylvania), High school: Bishop McCourt High School (Johnstown, Pennsylvania), Career highlights: Four-time Super Bowl champion (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979), eight-time Pro Bowl (1973-80), eight-time All-Pro (1973-80), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1975), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988). For the Tar Heels, Hanburger played both ways and earned most of his accolades at center, not on defense. Brazile is often credited for being the first outside linebacker to define how the game was played in a 3-4 defense while rushing the passer, although sacks weren't an official NFL statistic until his last three seasons. Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. Generations of linebackers have played in the NFL and defined the game. Singletary also was named NFC Player of the Year three times during his career. 2-time first-team All-Pro When most football fans think of the Steelers' defense, they think about. Willis played just eight seasons in the NFL, but that's kind of misleading. After being considered by most teams too small, the Boston Patriots selected Nick Buoniconti with the teams 13th round selection. In addition, Seau was named First Team All-Pro in six different seasons including three straight from 1992 to 1994. was tough and imposed his physical will on opponents. The 1990 Pro Football Hall of Famer was so elite throughout his career that he was a member of four of the most prestigious all-time teams in NFL history. High school: Kathleen High School (Lakeland, Florida), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (2000, 2012), Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (2000), 13-time Pro Bowl (1997-2001, 2003, 2004, 2006-11), 10-time All-Pro (1997-2001, 2003, 2004, 2008-10), two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2000, 2003), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018). Richter didn't miss a game in nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and made seven All-Pro teams. 1-time first-team All-Pro Born: Nov. 18, 1964 (Spring Valley, New York), High school: Spring Valley High School (Spring Valley, New York), Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1986-93), Arizona Cardinals (1994-96), Green Bay Packers (1997), Denver Broncos (1998), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1998), three-time Pro Bowl (1991, 1993, 1994), three-time All-Pro (1991-93). His 53 takeaways are still the most in NFL history by a non-defensive back. Devine was the worst. But in his eight seasons, Kuechly accomplished almost everything an NFL linebacker could, including being perhaps the best coverage linebacker in the history of the game. 5-time first-team All-Pro A study of his brain revealed he had a severe case of CTE, which can cause rage, amnesia and severe depression. 54 out there, you knew the team at least had a chance to win because of him. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. If Willis can keep it going and avoid. High school: De La Salle High School (Chicago), Career highlights: Five-time All-Pro (1950-53, 1955), four-time Pro Bowl (1950-53), NFL 1940s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1975). He was extremely productive from his rookie season in 1981 to his final season in 1993. Urclacher recorded at least 100 tackles nine times over his career including a career high 153 during the 2002 NFL season. 4 with 1,501, despite making just one Pro Bowl in his career. Mar 23. 4-time first-team All-Pro His production continued in the NFL where he was a two time Pro Bowler and two time Super Bowl Champion with the Miami Dolphins while earning the Dolphins team MVP award in three different seasons.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-box-4','ezslot_5',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-4-0'); The Chicago Bears middle linebacker is just one of many great middle linebackers that have played in the NFL and for the team. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. 8-time Pro Bowler However, we're here to give this the good old college try, so let's dive in! owley missed the rest of 1959 and all of 1960 before attempting a comeback in 1961 with the Cowboys, where he became a six-time Pro Bowler and the only player to win Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honors while playing on the losing team. Super Bowl XXXVIII champion One thing Spikes never did? Born: Feb. 22, 1991 (Fort Pierce, Florida), High school: Westwood High School (Fort Pierce, Florida), Teams: Oakland Raiders (2014-17), Chicago Bears (2018-present), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2016), three-time All-Pro (2015, 2016, 2018), five-time Pro Bowl (2014-19), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. Born: March 28, 1930 (Mingo Junction, Ohio), Died: Nov. 6, 2017 (age 87, Natchez, Mississippi), High school: Mingo High School (Mingo, Ohio), Career highlights: NFL champion (1963), six-time All-Pro (1958, 1963-66), five-time Pro Bowl (1958, 1962-65), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, PFR 1960s All-Decade Team. His 1,018 career tackles are No. Chris Simms and Mike Florio draft their top middle linebackers of all time. Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator. The lineage of great Chicago Bears middle linebackers is clear, with 4 players making this list. These all-time greats have electrified crowds with their energy and leadership and delivered on the field as some of the NFL's best defensive players ever. Play in a Super Bowl. Lambert, who the Pittsburgh Steelers selected with the 46. pick during the 1974 NFL draft, showcased his abilities during his rookie season in route to helping solidify the Steelers defense and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year award. "Dr. Doom" terrorized opposing offenses for 10 NFL seasons and was a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. High school: Colony High School (Ontario, California), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2013), six-time Pro Bowl (2014-19), six-time All-Pro (2014-19), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. High school: Waco High School (Waco, Texas), Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (2005-17), Oakland Raiders (2018), Career highlights: Two-time NFL All-Pro (2011, 2015), four-time Pro Bowl (2011-13, 2015). Please logout and login again. Not bad for a former third-round draft pick out of Arizona. In addition, Willis was the 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year, led the NFL in tackles in two different seasons, was a seven time Pro Bowler and a five time First Team All-Pro. Bryce Paup was an outstanding pass rusher in the 1990's. His best season was his first year with the Bills where he had 17.5 sacks, 70 tackles, two INTs, and three forced fumbles. High school: Worthing High School (Houston), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1985), 10-time Pro Bowl (1983-82), nine-time All-Pro (1983-91), two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 1988), three-time NFC Player of the Year (1984, 1985, 1988), NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1998). On offense, he played center, and on defense, he was a linebacker, where he earned a reputation as one of the most devastating tacklers of all time. Super Bowl X champion These are the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Being the son of a former heavyweight boxing champion might be a burden for some, but Ken Norton Jr. embraced it. It is hard to look past Jack Lambert as one of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time based on his career resume and his play on the football field. He's also already made six All-Pro teams, six Pro Bowls and banked almost $100 million in career earnings. This list explores these reasons by looking at the three greatest middle linebackers of all time. Alongside Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson, Swilling wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. Mike Singletary was the player at the heart of perhaps the greatest defense of all time the 1985 Chicago Bears, who went 15-1 in the regular season and blew out the New England Patriots, 46-10, in the Super Bowl. He started all 26 games at middle linebacker the last two seasons. Robinson won three consecutive state championships in high school, then repeated a version of that feat in the NFL, winning three consecutive championships with one NFL title and two Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers. Born: April 16, 1982 (Coral Gables, Florida), High school: Coral Gables Senior High School (Coral Gables, Florida), Teams: New York Jets (2004-07), New Orleans Saints (2008-13), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2009), three-time Pro Bowl (2005, 2009, 2010), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2004). Much like Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Fortunato, Randy Gradishar doesn't have the legacy he should be because of the player he directly preceded. It didn't slow Mills' production, and he made three Pro Bowls and five Pro Bowls despite spending his first five seasons elsewhere. Chuck Howley thought his career was over due to a devastating knee injury just three games into the 1959 season with the Chicago Bears. He played 13 seasons for his hometown San Diego Chargers and became perhaps the greatest sports icon in the history of San Diego alongside Padres Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn. Your login session has expired. 8-time Pro Bowler20. Born: Aug. 25, 1965 (Birmingham, Alabama), High school: Ensley High School (Birmingham, Alabama), Teams: Buffalo Bills (1987-95), Atlanta Falcons (1996-98), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2000), Career highlights: Two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year (1988, 1991), five-time Pro Bowl (1988, 1990-93), three-time All-Pro (1988, 1991, 1992), AFC Defensive Team of the Decade (2000s). 6-time Pro Bowler21. 16 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Giants, 1981-1993 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times Recorded 132.5 career sacks, which ranks No. Born: Sept. 1, 1965 (Compton, California), High school: Verbum Dei High School (Los Angeles), Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-92), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1993-99), Jacksonville Jaguars (2000-01), Green Bay Packers (2002), Career highlights: Five-time Pro Bowl (1993, 1996-99), four-time All-Pro (1993, 1996, 1997, 1999), NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He's not someone who is up for Hall of Fame consideration but his contribution to the game kept defenses afloat on playoff teams for an extended period of time. How would you rank the greatest Middle Linebackers in history? Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots (1996-2008) Brooking was incredibly consistent throughout his career. Super Bowl IX champion Lanier collected three All-Pro mentions and eight spots in a Pro Bowl,. Take a look at the best photos from the red carpet. After the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans have four Alabama linebackers - Will Anderson Jr., Christian Harris, DeMeco Ryans and Henry To'oTo'o - except Ryans is the head coach and . In four seasons, Willis has 594 total tackles, 15 sacks, made the Pro Bowl every year, and three times has been named a first-team All-Pro linebacker. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. Their versatility sets them apart from any other position player in the sport. It's on Sean McDermott & Co. to coach up whoever mans the middle. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. With the combination of speed and power, he is one of the greatest linebackers to ever play in NFL history. Lanier was one of two Hall of Famers in the Kansas City linebacker corps during his era, alongside Bobby Bell, but it was Lanier who led the defense from his middle linebacker spot. Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was the top pick for Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew, left, and . Born: Dec. 27, 1959 (Birmingham, Alabama), High school: Barringer High School (Newark, New Jersey), NFL career: 11 seasons (1982-88, 1990-93), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985), four-time All-Pro (1985-88), five-time Pro Bowl (1984-88), NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2008). Quite simply, if you saw No. He finished his career with over 2,000 tackles (2,039), which is second on the NFL's all-time list, and set the NFL record for linebackers with 215 consecutive starts.