10 Football Players who Played for Bears and Cardinals
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players who have played for both the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played on both the Bears and Cardinals. Here’s a mix of well-known stars and some hidden gems you may have forgotten about.
Jim McMahon
Jim McMahon is best remembered for his time as quarterback for the Chicago Bears during the mid-1980s, particularly for helping the team win Super Bowl XX in 1986. Known for his flamboyant personality and disregard for the NFL’s dress code, he was a key figure in the Bears’ renowned “46 Defense” era.
McMahon was drafted fifth overall by the Bears in the 1982 NFL Draft and spent seven seasons with the team, earning a Pro Bowl spot in 1985. Despite injuries throughout his career, his performance was highlighted by his ability to play at a high level in critical games.
After leaving the Bears, McMahon played for several teams, including the Chargers, Eagles, Vikings, Cardinals, and Packers. His career ended in 1996 with the Packers, earning him a second Super Bowl ring as Brett Favre’s backup.
Chris Chandler
Chris Chandler had a lengthy and diverse career as a quarterback in the NFL, playing for eight teams over 17 seasons from 1988 to 2004.
His career stats include 28,484 passing yards, 170 touchdown passes, and a completion rate of 58.1%. Chandler’s pinnacle was the 1998 season when he led the Atlanta Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII, earning Pro Bowl honors along the way. His QB rating of 100.9 that season was a career-high.
Despite moving frequently, Chandler had a knack for stepping in and providing reliable quarterback play, a valuable asset in the league
Chandler Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (Falcons)
- 3000+ Passing Yard Season (Falcons)
Mike Glennon
Mike Glennon is a quarterback who played in the NFL from 2013 to 2022. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Glennon started his rookie season as the backup, but later started 13 games.
He showed promise, throwing for 2608 yards and 19 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions in his rookie season. However, Glennon found himself in backup roles in the subsequent years, with stops at the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Over his career, he threw for over 7000 yards and 47 touchdowns.
Brian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer is a veteran quarterback who has primarily been a backup with multiple NFL teams. He entered the league undrafted in 2009 and signed with the New England Patriots, backing up Tom Brady and earning a Super Bowl ring with the team in Super Bowl XLIX.
Hoyer has also started for several teams, including the Cleveland Browns (his lone 3000+ Yard Passing Season was there), Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers, with career passing stats including over 10,000 yards, 53 touchdowns, and a passer rating in the mid-80s.
Josh McCown
Josh McCown, known for his resilience and adaptability, carved out a noteworthy 17-year career in the NFL – mostly as a reliable backup quarterback.
From his entry into the league with the Arizona Cardinals in 2002, he played for 9 different teams, a few times as the starting QB, but also stepping in and performing effectively whenever called upon when he wasn’t.
He threw for over 17,000 yards and 98 touchdowns, holding a career passer rating around 80. Particularly impressive stints came with the Chicago Bears in 2013 and the New York Jets in 2017.
Dave Krieg
Dave Krieg was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 1980. He went on to play 19 seasons in the NFL, mainly with the Seahawks but he also had stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Oilers (they were still the Oilers for two years before changing the name to Titans).
During his time with the Seahawks, Krieg became one of the most prolific passers in the franchise’s history. He earned three Pro Bowl selections (1984, 1988, 1989) and led the Seahawks to their first playoff appearance in 1983, where they reached the AFC Championship Game.
Krieg’s career statistics include over 38,000 passing yards, 261 touchdown passes, and a passer rating of 81.5. Known for his durability and ability to perform under pressure, Krieg’s leadership and skills as a quarterback helped elevate the teams he played for and cemented his place as one of the memorable players of his era.
Krieg Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (Seahawks)
- 3000+ Passing Yard Season (Seahawks, Chiefs, Cardinals)
Ricky Proehl
Ricky Proehl was selected by the Phoenix Cardinals in the third round, 58th overall, in the 1990 NFL Draft. During his lengthy 17-year career, he played for several teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Indianapolis Colts.
Proehl’s most productive seasons came with the Rams, where he was part of the “Greatest Show on Turf” and won Super Bowl XXXIV. He also played a crucial role in the Panthers’ run to Super Bowl XXXVIII. Known for his reliable hands and precise route-running, Proehl was often a go-to target in clutch situations.
By the time he retired, he had accumulated 669 receptions for 8,878 yards and 54 touchdowns. His consistent performance and leadership on and off the field made him a respected figure in the league.
Jeff Blake
Jeff Blake had a 14-year career in the league, spending time with multiple teams. Blake was selected in the 6th round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, but he gained most of his recognition as a Pro Bowl quarterback with the Cincinnati Bengals.
With the Bengals, Blake had his most productive years. In 1995, he was selected to the Pro Bowl after throwing for 3,822 yards and 28 touchdowns. Blake was known for his deep passing ability, consistently ranking among the league’s best in yards per completion.
Throughout his career, Blake also had stints with the Saints, Ravens, Cardinals, Eagles, and Bears. After retiring from professional football, Blake transitioned into coaching and mentoring young quarterbacks, including his son Emory, a former Auburn University quarterback.
Jay Feely
Jay Feely had an impressive 14-year career as a placekicker in the NFL. He initially signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2001 but truly started his NFL journey with the New York Giants in 2005.
Feely spent two seasons with the Giants before moving to the Miami Dolphins, where he played for a season. His career then took him to the New York Jets, where he enjoyed two solid seasons, followed by short stints with the Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears.
Throughout his career, Feely demonstrated consistency as a kicker, converting 82.6% of his field goals and a strong leg as well, with a career long field goal of 61 yards
Ted Ginn Jr
Ted Ginn Jr. was selected ninth overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2007 NFL Draft. Over the course of his NFL career, Ginn played for multiple teams, including the Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, and the Chicago Bears.
Ginn was primarily known for his speed and agility, making him a threat as both a wide receiver and return specialist. He has accumulated over 5,000 receiving yards and more than 30 receiving touchdowns. As a return specialist, he returned four punts and three kickoffs for touchdowns.
His unique ability to change a game with a long play—either as a receiver or a returner—made him a valuable asset on any team he joined. Over the years, Ginn was involved in several playoff runs, including a trip to the Super Bowl with the Carolina Panthers.
