Chicago Bears: 5 draft picks they gave up on too soon

04. Chuck Howley

One must be fair in these situations. It’s not like the Bears didn’t give a proper chance. The 7th overall pick in 1958 was haunted by injuries throughout his time in Chicago. He missed nine games in 1959 and then the entire 1960 season. George Halas could no longer trust him at that point and so traded his rights to the Dallas Cowboys for 2nd and 9th round picks. Dallas was a young franchise and far more willing to take gambles on players.

It seems they made the right one with Howley. His body finally came around and he played the next decade of football as one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He claimed 25 interceptions, went to six Pro Bowls, was Super Bowl MVP in 1970 and helped Dallas win their first championship in 1971. It’s fair to wonder what might’ve happened had Halas given him just one more chance. The Bears could’ve paired him with a young Dick Butkus a few years later.