Chicago Bears: Wins Have Followed Their Trades for Pass Rushers

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LOS ANGELES – 1986: Defensive tackle Dan Hampton #99 of the Chicago Bears rushes after quarterback Marc Wilson #6 of the Los Angeles Raiders during a game in 1986 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Traded for Dan Hampton (1978)

Chicago was trying to rebuild in the late 1970s and knew they needed high draft choices to pull it off. So GM Jim Finks decided to make a sacrifice. He made three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Wally Chambers available in hopes of landing a 1st round pick. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the bait, offering a future 1st to complete the deal. It was a big gamble, but one that paid off.

Composition:

Wally Chambers to the Bucs
Bucs 1st round pick in 1979 (#4 overall – Hampton) to the Bears

True to form, Tampa Bay was terrible in 1978, allowing the Bears to secure the #4 overall pick in the 1979 draft. With it, they grabbed a kid out of Arkansas named Dan Hampton. The man who would become “Danimal” was among the most versatile defensive linemen of his era, logging Pro Bowls at both defensive end and tackle. He spearheaded the 1985 Bears defense that won the Super Bowl and ended up in the Hall of Fame.

Chicago made the playoffs just once in the 10 years before his arrival. They made it seven times after.

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