Harry Carson's career stats don't jump off the page 11 interceptions, 14 fumbles recovered, eight sacks but he's still one of the greatest NFL linebackers. That didn't matter. There were a lot of strong defensive players that played next to Mike Singletary with the Bears. 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). 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). Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time Photos Home 100 Greatest Photos Game Galleries Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time NFL.com senior analyst and personnel. 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 the football field Chuck Bednarik was one of the toughest players to play the game and possibly the best tackler to set forth on a football field. Karl Mecklenburg, Denver Broncos (1983-94) ", Died: June 12, 2010 (age 79, Riverside, California), High school: Fresno High School (Fresno, California), Career highlights: Eight-time Pro Bowl (1954-61), seven-time All-Pro (1955-60), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2011). Behind Lawrence Taylor, Andre Tippett was the most dominant NFL linebacker in the 1980s. Bennett was convicted of rape in 1997 and sentenced to 60 days in jail, but still allowed to play in the NFL for four more seasons. 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. 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. Born: Dec. 29, 1936 (Elmwood Park, Illinois), Died: March 8, 1998 (age 61, Venice, Florida), High school: Proviso East High School (Mayfield, Illinois), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1966, 1967), three-time NFL champion (1961, 1962, 1965), Pro Bowl (1964), seven-time All-Pro (1962-67, 1969), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1978). The six-year, $141 million extension he signed with the Bears in 2018 was the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history. Dick Butkus No. The best high school, college and NFL linebackers are annually presented with the Butkus Award, named in honor of arguably the greatest linebacker possibly the best defensive player to ever put on a helmet. Brown played on two teams that came up just short of winning a Super Bowl, with the Pittsburgh Steelers losing in the big game following the 1995 season and the New England Patriots following the 2007 season. Jackson retired in the top three in NFL history for sacks (128) and fumble recoveries (28). 1-time first-team All-Pro Owen Pappoe, Auburn. Johnson, at 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, was a high school star in Central Texas at Waco High before becoming an All-American at the University of Texas and an NFL All-Pro. "Dr. Doom" terrorized opposing offenses for 10 NFL seasons and was a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. During that time Kendricks has broken up 40 passes as a linebacker which is tops in the NFL. 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year Nobis played in relative anonymity for his entire NFL career but still put up monster numbers on some really bad teams. 1-time first-team All-Pro Brooking was incredibly consistent throughout his career. Joyner capped his career off by winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in his final season. April 30, 2023 at 5:05 p.m. EDT. The race for the best linebacker in NFL history can be narrowed down to five people: the aforementioned Butkus, Lewis, and Singletary, along with Jack Lambert and Willie Lanier. He had five INT's in a season twice in his career. Super Bowl XXIX champion22. NFL: Ranking the 10 Best Middle Linebackers - Bleacher Report He led the league in combined tackles in 2016 and 2019, and in solo tackles in 2017. Richter, who died of a brain aneurysm in 2010, had a lengthy career in motorsports after his football career was over and is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame. Pat Swilling was part of perhaps the finest assembly of linebackers in NFL history the New Orleans Saints' famous "Dome Patrol" of the late 1980s and early 1990s. 6-time Pro Bowler21. Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs (1967-77) Super Bowl I champion Modern football fans might be seeing the name Hardy Nickerson for the first time, but the old heads know him as one of the more dominant linebackers of his era who had the misfortune of playing most of his career with mediocre teams. Top 10 Linebackers of All Time | NFL Highlights - YouTube 1 Ray Lewis Lewis is widely considered one of the greatest middle linebackers of all time. Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers of All Time Rankings Almost 50 years after he retired, Bell's nine defensive touchdowns are still tied for the most in NFL history for a linebacker alongside fellow Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks. 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). All Rights Reserved. Talley was on all four of Buffalos AFC title teams that lost in the Super Bowl and finished his career with 1,252 tackles, 38.5 sacks and 29 takeaways. Generations of linebackers have played in the NFL and defined the game. Notre Dame Top 5 Linebackers - Sports Illustrated In one of the greatest single rounds for any team in NFL draft history, the Rams used their two 1971 first-round picks on Robertson and NFL Hall of Fame defensive lineman Jack Youngblood. How would you rank the greatest Middle Linebackers in history? Marshall wasn't just a pass coverage linebacker though,. 2005, 2006, 2010), eight-time Pro Bowl (2000-03, 2005, 2006, 2010, 20110, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2000), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018). New York native and former Syracuse star Keith Bulluck helped define the early years of the Tennessee Titans as part of the team that came within one yard of winning a Super Bowl. Les Richter, Los Angeles Rams (1954-62) That was the first of five consecutive seasons with at least 120 tackles. Super Bowl VIII champion They play fast from sideline to sideline. Off the field, Lewis' career was almost over before it started. Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press. Lewis was the face of the franchise and the energizer of the defensive dominance. The Pittsburgh Steelers follow the script: The Steelers take Joey Porter Jr. to open up Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Few stories rival that of former NFL star Patrick Willis. 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. The No. Born: May 3, 1941 (Mount Holly, New Jersey), High school: Moorestown High School (Moorestown, New Jersey), Teams: Green Bay Packers (1963-72), Washington Redskins (1973-74), Career highlights: Three-time NFL champion (1965-67), two-time Super Bowl champion (1966, 1967), three-time Pro Bowl (1966, 1967, 1969), three-time All-Pro (1967-69), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013). Taylor's dominance changed the way football is played on every level, from how offensive lines block to the way teams teach how to rush the quarterback. Check out some of the best photos from the 2023 NFL Draft! On the field, Butkus recorded 22 career interceptions to go along with 27 fumble recoveries. Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus is one of those. 45:47. 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. Nickerson had his best years with the Steelers and with the Buccaneers right before those teams started to make deep, consistent playoff runs, but he was a feared player and at his best playing in a 4-3 scheme defense. 7-time first-team All-Pro The Top 10 NFL Linebackers of All Time - Bleacher Report Alongside Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson, Swilling wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. NEW! Richter didn't miss a game in nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and made seven All-Pro teams. Super Bowl XLVII champion 5-time Pro Bowler Inducted into the Hall of Fame as recently as 2016, Greene's career was arguably underrated. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. On the football field Chuck Bednarik was one of the toughest players to play the game and possibly the best tackler to set forth on a football field. Born: Feb. 4, 1959 (Williamsburg, Virginia), High school: Lafayette High School (Williamsburg, Virginia), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl Champion (1986, 1990), NFL Most Valuable Player (1986), 10-time Pro Bowl (1981-90), 10-time All-Pro (1981-90), three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982, 1986), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1981), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999). Other than having one of the coolest names in NFL history, Takeo Spikes was also one of the most durable linebackers of all time. Jackson only missed two games in his 13 seasons with the Saints in 1989 because of a car accident. The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams middle linebacker, Bill George is the one single man that is known for creating the middle linebacker position. 8 on the all-time list, Atlanta Falcons, 1966-1976 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time, Houston Oilers, 1975-1984 Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2018 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1975) NFL 1970s All-Decade Team member Finished career with 48 sacks, 1,281 tackles, and 13 interceptions, Kansas City Chiefs, 1967-1977 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Carolina Panthers 2012-present Voted to Pro Bowl five times, four-time First Team All-Pro NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2013) NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) 818 career tackles, 10.5 sacks, 15 interceptions, Buffalo Bills, 1987-1995; Atlanta Falcons, 1996-1998; Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2000 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 71.5 career sacks Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Francisco 49ers, 1964-1974 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-1984 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 2000-2012 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Recorded 41.5 career sacks and 1,040 career tackles, New Orleans Saints, 1981-1993; San Francisco 49ers 1994-1995 One-time NFL champion Voted to six Pro Bowls Recorded 128 career sacks, which ranks No. The two Bears greats played together for Fortunato's final two seasons, which meant Butkus broke all of Fortunato's records just years after he set them. 1-time Pro Bowler 52 whose off-the-charts football IQ, spiritual leadership and on-field accomplishments are unmatched. Bergey became one of the NFL's best linebackers in Philly, where he made five consecutive All-Pro teams and was the foundation for the "Gang Green" defense that made the playoffs in each of his last three seasons, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 1980. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. How deep was Nitschke in pop culture during his career? Ron Rivera must win in 2023. The Commanders have done all they can 1 overall pick in the 1949 NFL draft, Bednarik led the Eagles to a championship in 1949 and in 1960, where he made the game-saving tackle as time ran out. George is credited by many as being the first-ever true middle linebacker, creating a legacy that future Bears like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher would cement in history.7. Top 10 Best NFL Linebackers of All Time - TheTopTens 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. Chicago Bears: 15 greatest linebackers of all time - Da Windy City Copyright 2023 FanRankings. There's a lot of reasons to love the way Dave Robinson played football mainly because he was a winner. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. 8-time Pro Bowler14. Top 10 NFL linebackers of all time | The TwinSpires Edge Vilma, who also won a national championship at the University of Miami in 2001, also is well-known for taking the NFL to court following a yearlong suspension in "Bountygate. Born: Oct. 27, 1929 (Waynesburg, Pennsylvania), Died: Sept. 30, 1982 (Rockford, Illinois), High School: Central High School (Waynesburg, Pennsylvania), Teams: Chicago Bears (1952-65), Los Angeles Rams (1966), Career highlights: NFL champion (1963), eight-time All-Pro (1955-61, 1963), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1974). We asked 50 experts to vote for the NFL's all-time greatest edge rusher, cornerback and kicker. In Forester's final five seasons, he made all four of his Pro Bowls, all five of his All-Pro teams and helped lead Green Bay to its first two NFL titles under Lombardi. Levis has supreme arm talent and an ultra . Before the turn of the century, two of the best middle linebackers of all time were Lawrence Taylor andJack Lambert. Sanders could have the highest ceiling of all the middle linebacker . For new posts and be up to date to win $50 to Fanatics or Amazon. George realized this allowed the quarterback to easily drop passes right over his head, so he began to try and read the play and react, dropping into coverage at times when he realized it was a pass play. 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). Top 10 Linebackers in Arizona Cardinals History Lambert hauled in 28 INTs and scooped up 17 fumble recoveries. Eight of those he made the All-Pro team and the Pro Bowl, with back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1969 and 1970. Manage Settings During his AFL career, Buoniconti earned six AFL All-Star honors and five First Team All-AFL. Born: April 6, 1973 (San Diego, California), High school: Chula Vista High School (Chula Vista, California), Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (1996-2001, 2007-08), San Diego Chargers (2002-06), Career highlights: Two-time NFL All-Pro (2002, 2004), Pro Bowl (2002). Mack, who holds the NCAA records for forced fumbles and tackles for loss, became the first player in NFL history to make All-Pro at two different positions in 2015 when he was a first-team defensive end and outside linebacker. That year was the first of two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards for Singletary, who won again in 1988. Super Bowl XIV championThe foreman of the Steel Curtain defense, Lambert expanded the job description of the middle backer dropping into pass coverage as smooth as a safety while remaining the sledgehammer enforcer of an old-school middle man. And here are the 25 greatest linebackers in NFL history: 25. Only a handful of players can say they truly defined their positions in NFL history. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Born: April 18, 1973 (Pensacola, Florida), High school: Booker T. Washington High School (Pensacola, Florida), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2002), nine-time All-Pro (1997-2005), 11-time Pro Bowl (1997-2006, 2008), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2002), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2014). George racked up 18 career interceptions over his career while helping lead the Bears to the 1963 NFL Championship. His ability to diagnose plays and shut them down wasn't matched by many. The 13-time Pro-Bowler holds the record for most career solo tackles (1,568) and the record for most tackles in a season (156). Samurai Mike had crazy eyes that struck fear into an opposing offense even before he laid the smack down. Briggs made seven consecutive Pro Bowls while playing for the Chicago Bears alongside another great linebacker, Brian Urlacher. In a testament to the influence that karate had in the U.S. in the 1980s and what a freak of nature Tippett is he's also a sixth-degree black belt. 5-time first-team All-Pro How would you rank the greatest Middle Linebackers in history? He took his skills as a free agent to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won two Super Bowls. 2005 Comeback Player of the Year Robertson died in a car accident in 2018, at 69 years old. The Best San Francisco 49ers Linebackers of All Time - Ranker Take a look at some of the best photos of Aaron Rodgers from throughout the years! Others: Darien Butler, Amari Burney, Kana'i Mauga , Drake Thomas. Related:NFL Teams With Most Hall of Famers. If you want to know where the modern concept of an outside linebacker came from, start with George Connor. 15 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Eagles, 1949-1962 Two-time NFL champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1981-1992 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers, 1963-1972; Washington Redskins 1973-1974 Three-time NFL champion Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Diego Chargers, 1990-2002; Miami Dolphins, 2003-2005; New England Patriots, 2006-2009 Voted to 12 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Recorded 56.5 career sacks and 1,522 career tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Los Angeles Rams, 1985-1992; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1993-1995; Carolina Panthers, 1996, 1998-1999; San Francisco 49ers, 1997 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Recorded 160 career sacks, which ranks No. 5-time first-team All-Pro 8-time Pro Bowler 13 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Lambert is a member of the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team, the 1980s All-Decade Team, the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team, and the league's 100th Anniversary Team. His 53 takeaways are still the most in NFL history by a non-defensive back. Born: Jan. 25, 1985 (Bruceton, Tennessee), High school: Central High School (Bruceton, Tennessee), Career highlights: Seven-time Pro Bowl (2007-13), six-time All-Pro (2007-12), NFL 2010s All-Decade team, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2007). Lavonte David's football career took him across the United States after growing up in Miami, Florida. That is the highest among all linebackers. Who are the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All Time? Super Bowl XL champion Bill George, Chicago Bears (1952-65), Los Angeles Rams (66)Hall of Fame, Class of 1974 No, Sensei Tippett! 1974 Defensive Rookie of the Year However, we're here to give this the good old college try, so let's dive in! Tragically, Seau took his own life in 2012, at 43 years old. And Farrior, nicknamed "The Ultimate Farrior" by fans, was a huge part of that. Top 30 Linebackers in the NFL Since 1970 - The Grueling Truth Super Bowl XXXV champion In addition, Lewis was a two time Defensive Player of the Year, seven time First Team All-Pro and a 13 time Pro Bowler. Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was the top pick for Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew, left, and . Darryl Talley was a physical and athletic marvel during his playing career, and his consistency was truly something to behold. We'll find out in 2024, when he'll be on the ballot for the first time. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. In 1986, he had one of the most dominant NFL seasons ever. For Fortunato, it was Dick Butkus, and for Gradishar, it was Karl Mecklenburg. Jack . In addition to having the greatest linebacker of All-Time in Ray Lewis, 20 years of Ravens football has seen some incredible linebackers. Isiah Robertson was one of the stars on the Los Angeles Rams' defenses that won six consecutive NFC West titles. They changed the way football is played on every level. His play at the position earned him five selections as a First Team All-Pro and helped him win the 1969 and 1970 Defensive Player of the Year awards. 2020 Stats: 69 Solo, 0 Sacks, 0 FF, 3 INT. Nick Buoniconti, Boston Patriots (1962-68), Miami Dolphins (69-76)Hall of Fame, Class of 2001 Backups: Luke Masterson, Curtis Bolton. 1-time first-team All-Pro Super Bowl XXVII champion Bill Forester is one of the greatest examples of Vince Lombardi's genius as a coach. London Fletcher, St. Louis Rams (1998-2001), Buffalo Bills (02-06), Washington Redskins (07-12) It's fitting that Khalil Mack now plays for the Chicago Bears. Not bad for a former third-round draft pick out of Arizona. In all, he was a two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year and played in five Super Bowls, losing every time to set an NFL record. 5-time NFL Championship Game winner 6-time Pro Bowler12. If Lawrence Taylor is the Michael Jordan of NFL linebackers, Carson was his Scottie Pippen. 3-time first-team All-Pro Ranking the 10 best linebackers in Raiders history Podcast Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans Titans AFC West. Singletary also was named NFC Player of the Year three times during his career. He joined the military for two years out of high school before going to play football for the University of North Carolina. James Farrior, New York Jets (1997-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (02-11) FP - TopX: Greatest Middle Linebacker of All Time The Top Ten Greatest NFL Middle Linebackers of all Time There is a reason why he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2018. George was known for his ability to play the defensive line as well as dropping back disrupting the passing lanes of opposing quarterbacks. Mecklenburg anchored Denver's defense with safety Steve Atwater and helped lead Denver to three AFC titles, but the Broncos lost all three of those Super Bowls. "I'm Samurai Mike, I stop 'em cold," was the start of his "Super Bowl Shuffle" verse. The on-field brains behind Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryans famed 1985 Bears defense, Singletary is undeniably one of the greatest to ever play the position.5. Te'o didn't come out of nowhere as a senior. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. These are the greatest linebackers in NFL history. The last 60-minute man in NFL history, Chuck Bednarik dominated on both sides of the ball for the Philadelphia Eagles. Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions (1953-65) Singletary recorded 1,488 career tackles to go along with seven interceptions and 19 sacks over his career. Top 10 middle linebackers of all time - Pro Football Mania With this responsibility and how important the game has evolved, the MLB position has produced many great players over the years. Introduction 60 Greatest Linebackers in NFL History | Stadium Talk 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. 2-time first-team All-Pro It's actually confounding why more of a Hall of Fame case hasn't been made for Thomas. Like Lewis, Lawrence Taylor is also one of the most feared defenders in NFL history. The 13-time. Over his career, Lanier made a name for himself for his aggressive tackling abilities earning him the nickname Contact.
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greatest middle linebackers of all time