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). 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. 9-time Pro Bowler Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it? But he'll always be best known for his role on the Bears' Super Bowl-winning team of 1985 that featured arguably the best defense in NFL history. Karl Mecklenburg was a throwaway pick by the Broncos in the 12th round of the 1983 NFL draft and ended up being one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history and definitely the greatest pure inside linebacker. Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears (2000-12)2005 Defensive Player of the Year Brooks, like so many players on this list, played his entire career with just one team. Porter's 40% forced incompletion rate in 2022 led all Power Five cornerbacks. Norton's famous nod to his famous father was hitting the goal post pads like a punching bag, similar to how he treated opponents as the star linebacker for two of the best franchises in football for over a decade. High school: Clarkstown High School North (New City, New York), Teams: Tennessee Titans (2000-09), New York Giants (2010), Career highlights:Three-time NFL All-Pro (2002, 2003, 2007), Pro Bowl (2003). The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Off the field, Lewis' career was almost over before it started. Karl Mecklenburg, Denver Broncos (1983-94) 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. His 10 All-Pro selections are tied for the NFL career record alongside Lawrence Taylor. Randy Gradishar, Denver Broncos (1974-83) The 13-time. 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. Fletcher, 5-foot-11 and 242 pounds, ran a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine coming out of NCAA Division III John Carroll University, but he still went undrafted. George racked up 18 career interceptions over his career while helping lead the Bears to the 1963 NFL Championship. The former North Carolina Tar Heel is both a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team and the 100th Anniversary Team. Chris Hanburger's path to NFL stardom as an outside linebacker was as unusual as any ever taken. That's what linebackers do. 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. With the combination of speed and power, he is one of the greatest linebackers to ever play in NFL history. 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. Karlos Dansby was tall for an NFL inside linebacker at 6-foot-4, and he made plays all over the field. Over his career, Urlacher was an eight time Pro Bowler and four time First Team All-Pro while racking up 1,086 tackles, 41.5 sacks and 22 interceptions. Jack Lambert played 11 seasons all for the Steelers and won four Super Bowls as the starting linebacker and heart of the "Steel Curtain" defense with fellow Hall of Famers Mean Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Ham and Donnie Shell. Bulluck played mainly on special teams his first two seasons with the Titans before a breakout season in 2002. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. Super Bowl XXI champion16. Featuring some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Bills LBs include Sam Rogers, Keith Ellison, Shane Conlan, and John Holecek. 2-time first-team All-Pro 5-time Pro Bowler24. 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. 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. NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest linebackers in NFL history. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 4 with 1,501, despite making just one Pro Bowl in his career. Please logout and login again. James Farrior, New York Jets (1997-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (02-11) Putting outside, inside, and middle linebackers in one group gets tricky, and the position (like all positions in the game) has changed considerably over the years. 2 overall pick in 1981 out of North Carolina led the Giants to two Super Bowl wins, was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1986 the last defensive player to win that award. Keith Brooking was an understated, dominant player for two teams, the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. 1-time Pro Bowler Forester was a nondescript linebacker for his first six seasons with the Packers, until Lombardi was hired in 1959 and the SMU product's career took off. 1974 Defensive Rookie of the Year In 11 seasons, Bell earned postseason honors eight times and helped lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win in 1969. The Bears have fielded four of the best middle linebackers in NFL history: Dick Butkus, Bill George, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. 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. 1976 Defensive Player of the Year Ranking the top linebackers to ever suit up in the National Football League is far from easy. The 37 sacks he collected in kelly green puts Joyner atop that list of Eagles' linebackers 1. 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. But for all his individual success, he never made the playoffs.4. Samurai Mike had crazy eyes that struck fear into an opposing offense even before he laid the smack down. 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. Copyright 2023 FanRankings. However, it is often looked past how important the middle linebacker position is to the defensive side of the ball with many teams using this position to help command the defense. Urlcaher was the leader of the Bears defense from 2000 to 2012 while winning the 2000 Defensive Rookie of the Year award and the 2005 Defensive Player of the Year award. Ray Nitschke, Green Bay Packers (1958-72)Hall of Fame, Class of 1978 If Lawrence Taylor is the Michael Jordan of NFL linebackers, Carson was his Scottie Pippen. 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. 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). Brugler had both Wisconsin's Nick Herbig and Alabama's Henry To'oTo'o ranked ahead of Williams. 1969 Defensive Player of the Year Generations of linebackers have played in the NFL and defined the game. 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. Once drafted, Buoniconti became one of the teams best defensive players despite his lack of size. 3-time first-team All-Pro High school: Washington County High School (Sandersville, Georgia), Teams: Cincinnati Bengals (1998-2002), Buffalo Bills (2003-06), Philadelphia Eagles (2007), San Francisco 49ers (2008-10), San Diego Chargers (2011-12), Career highlights: Two-time Pro Bowl (2003, 2004), NFL All-Pro (2004). That is the highest among all linebackers. 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. That didn't matter. Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. Chuck Bednarik, Philadelphia Eagles (1949-62)Hall of Fame, Class of 1967 They have the ability to rush the passer while also stepping back into coverage and shutting down passing lanes for opposing quarterbacks. He was in The Monkees' cult-favorite film "Head" and also in the original "The Longest Yard" starring Burt Reynolds. Bell was as much of a winner as anyone who ever played the sport. 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. 3 on the all-time list, Baltimore Ravens, 1996-2012 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 13 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times Recorded 41.5 sacks and 1562 career tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers, 1958-1972 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Detroit Lions, 1953-1965 Two-time NFL champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1971-1982 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1958-1959; Dallas Cowboys, 1961-1973 One-time NFL champion Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times, Chicago Bears, 1952-1966; Los Angeles Rams 1966 One-time NFL champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Kansas City Chiefs, 1963-1974 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1995-2008 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Recorded 1,297 career tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baltimore Colts, 1969-1973; Green Bay Packers, 1974; Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1975-1983 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1965-1973 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Kansas City Chiefs, 1989-1999 Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Recorded 126.5 career sacks, which ranks No. Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots (1996-2008) 2-time Pro Bowler The last 60-minute man in NFL history, Chuck Bednarik dominated on both sides of the ball for the Philadelphia Eagles. He also finished his career with 25 interceptions and 24 sacks. The six-year, $141 million extension he signed with the Bears in 2018 was the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history. A post shared by BostonPride91 (@bostonpride91). 13-time Pro Bowler Les Richter was an amazing football player and had size and speed that could have landed him on NFL rosters in any era. Your login session has expired. Urlachers legacy was secure after leading Chicago to the NFC title in 200611. Ham, with the size of a free safety, was as quick as any running back or wide receiver in the 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and recorded a gaudy 32 interceptions and 53 takeaways in his career while helping the Steelers win four Super Bowl. Chris Simms and Mike Florio draft their top middle linebackers of all time. Willie Lanier: For eight seasons, Bell played alongside Billy Lanier in one of the NFL's most legendary linebacking corps. NFL Championship Game MVP (1962) Darryl Talley was a physical and athletic marvel during his playing career, and his consistency was truly something to behold. On paper, Gradishar's resume was much better than Mecklenburg's career accolades. 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). Bill Forester is one of the greatest examples of Vince Lombardi's genius as a coach. He's also the greatest defensive player of all time. By the time Tommy Nobis left the University of Texas, he was as famous as any player in the NFL, having already appeared on the cover of Life, Sports Illustrated and Time magazines for his accomplishments. Ray Lewis For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). 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. The Ravens have always been known as a defensive minded team. One of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history, Swilling finished his career with 107.5 sacks but no playoff wins. 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. Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. 7-time first-team All-Pro He doesn't have overwhelming traits, but he has filled in capably as a . Master Your Draft Strategy With Our Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator. 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. He started all 26 games at middle linebacker the last two seasons. 5-time Pro Bowler15. He won an NFL championship for Chicago in 1963. Kendricks has graded at 91.7 over the last two years according to PFF. Born: May 1, 1925 (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Died: March 21, 2015 (age 89, Richland, Pennsylvania), High school: Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), Career highlights: Two-time NFL champion (1949, 1960), eight-time Pro Bowl (1950-54, 1956, 1957, 1960), 10-time All-Pro (1950-57, 1960, 1961), NFL 100th Anniversary Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1967). He led the league in combined tackles in 2016 and 2019, and in solo tackles in 2017. The Greatest Steelers Linebackers of All Time The Steelers are known for hard-hitting, relentless defense. 7-time Pro Bowler18. In addition, Lewis was a two time Defensive Player of the Year, seven time First Team All-Pro and a 13 time Pro Bowler. 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. #NBCSports #NFL #ProFootballTalk Subscribe to NBC Sports: https://www.youtube.c. Sanders could have the highest ceiling of all the middle linebacker . Singletary also was named NFC Player of the Year three times during his career. 45:47. Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press. High school: Crestwood High School (Mantua, Ohio), Career highlights: Four-time Super Bowl champion (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979), nine-time Pro Bowl (1975-83), eight-time All-Pro (1975, 1976, 1978-83), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1976), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1974), NFL 100th Anniversary Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1990). When most football fans think of the Steelers' defense, they think about. 8-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. 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. Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-84)Hall of Fame, Class of 1990 Arguably USCs most notable No. Born: Sept. 1, 1960 (Seattle, Washington), High school: Edina West High School (Edina, Minnesota), Career highlights: Six-time Pro Bowl (1985-87, 1989, 1991, 1993), four-time All-Pro (1985-87, 1989). There were a lot of strong defensive players that played next to Mike Singletary with the Bears. 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). 1978 Defensive Player of the Year Check out some of the best photos from the 2023 NFL Draft! If the Professional Football Hall of Fame and its esteemed members and voters would like to actually live up to its name, then those parties should think of a way to add Sam Mills to their brethren. The big-play machine from Waco, Texas, was one of the greatest linebackers in Longhorns program history. He led the NFL in tackles three times (1997, 1999, 2001) during his 17 years in Baltimore. Donnie Edwards was an undersized linebacker who made plays all over the field during a 13-year career in the NFL, first for the Kansas City Chiefs, then for his hometown San Diego Chargers. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012)2000 Defensive Player of the Year 5-time first-team All-Pro Over his career Nitschke would rack up 25 career interceptions while being named First Team All-Pro in 11 different seasons. George died in a car accident in 1982, at 53 years old. Super Bowl XXVII champion The Top Ten Greatest NFL Middle Linebackers of all Time 10.) 10. 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. Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Fanatics.com, or more that is specific to you. That would end up being an anomaly in Dansby's career. His play on the field was filled with passion and talent that helped him become one of the best to play the game. In a 16-season career, he recorded an incredible 1,586 tackles. 66) and Bart Starr (No. 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. Born: Sept. 20, 1943 (San Antonio, Texas), Died: Dec. 13, 2017 (age 74, Marietta, Georgia), High school: Thomas Jefferson High School (San Antonio, Texas), Career highlights: NFL Rookie of the Year (1966), five-time Pro Bowl (1966-68, 1970, 1972), two-time All-Pro (1967, 1968), NFL 1960s 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. Robertson died in a car accident in 2018, at 69 years old. 1-time first-team All-Pro The former Miami Hurricane is a member of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team and a member of the NFL's 100th Anniversary Team. When it comes to which linebacker should be at the top of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time, Mike Singletary is well worth consideration for the slot. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. High school: Excel High School (Excel, Alabama), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1971), NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1973), five-time Pro Bowl (1967-69, 1973, 1974), two-time All-Pro (1969, 1973). 7-time first-team All-Pro Over his career, George was an eight time Pro Bowler and eight time First Team All-Pro. 6-time Pro Bowler12. At 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, his combination of speed and athleticism would make the Hall of Famer even more valuable in today's league than he was in his era. Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (03-05), New England Patriots (06-09)1992 Defensive Player of the Year But assistant coach Vince Lombardi tracked him down at the airport and convinced him to come back, and defensive coordinator Tom Landry made the decision to move him to middle linebacker. Willis' career was cut short due to injuries but his legacy on the field is known. Before the turn of the century, two of the best middle linebackers of all time were Lawrence Taylor andJack Lambert. 10-time Pro Bowler 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. Mills, just 5-foot-9, played in the Canadian Football League and then was one of the USFL's greatest players before making the leap to the NFL.
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