7 Football Players who Played for Packers and Bears
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 that have played for both the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.
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 for both the Packers and Bears.
Julius Peppers
Julius Peppers played college football at North Carolina, where he also played basketball. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers second overall in the 2002 NFL Draft and also played for the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.
Peppers was a dominant force throughout his career, consistently demonstrating remarkable athleticism and pass-rushing ability. He finished his career with 159.5 sacks, which ranks fourth all-time.
Over his 17-year career, he was named to the Pro Bowl nine times and was a First-Team All-Pro selection three times. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses made him one of the most feared defensive ends in the league during his tenure.
Peppers Key Stats
- 1st Team All-Pro (Panthers, Bears)
- Pro Bowl (Panthers, Bears, Packers)
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.
Mike Tomczak
Mike Tomczak had a lengthy career in the National Football League that spanned from 1985 to 1999. Tomczak played college football at Ohio State University, where he led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Conference championship in 1984.
After going undrafted in the 1985 NFL Draft, Tomczak signed with the Bears as a free agent. He spent six seasons in Chicago, primarily as a backup quarterback but saw significant playing time due to injuries to starter Jim McMahon. He was a member of the famed 1985 Bears team that won Super Bowl XX.
After his time with the Bears, Tomczak had stints with the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and finally the Pittsburgh Steelers. His most significant playing time came with the Steelers, where he started multiple games in place of injured starters and helped the team reach the playoffs on several occasions.
Tomczak Key Stats
- Super Bowl Champion (Bears)
Jimmy Graham
Jimmy Graham was a tight end celebrated for his exceptional receiving skills and athleticism. After playing college basketball at the University of Miami, he switched to football for his final year of NCAA eligibility and made an immediate impact.
Graham was drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, where he emerged as one of the NFL’s top tight ends. During his five seasons with the Saints (2010-2014), he was a favorite target of Drew Brees and a crucial component of the team’s potent offense.
After his tenure with the Saints, Graham had stints with the Seahawks, Packers, and Bears. Despite changing teams, he remained productive and continued to be a significant red-zone threat due to his size and pass-catching ability. His performance earned him multiple Pro Bowl appearances throughout his career.
*Graham was previously the most popular pick for this square (Grid 16)
Graham Key Stats
- 1st Team All-Pro (Saints)
- Pro Bowl (Saints, Seahawks)
- 1000+ Yard Receiving Season (Saints)
Cedric Benson
Cedric Benson was a prominent figure in college football, playing as a running back for the University of Texas from 2001 to 2004. During his time there, he earned unanimous All-American honors in 2004 and won the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the nation’s top running back.
Following his prosperous college career, Benson was drafted 4th overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2005 NFL Draft. He played with the Bears for three seasons before moving on to play for the Bengals in 2008. He was extremely productive in Cincinnati, going over 1000 yards rushing in 3 of his 4 seasons there.
He then had a short stint with the Green Bay Packers in 2012. Over his NFL career, he amassed over 6,000 rushing yards and scored 32 touchdowns.
Benson Key Stats
- 1000+ Yard Rushing Season (Bengals)
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was selected by the Green Bay Packers as the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Playing as a safety out of the University of Alabama, Clinton-Dix made an immediate impact in the league.
During his time with the Packers, Clinton-Dix was named to the Pro Bowl in 2016 and received second-team All-Pro honors that same year. He played for the Packers until 2018 when he was traded to the Washington Redskins. After finishing the season with Washington, Clinton-Dix spent a season each in Chicago and Las Vegas.
Throughout his career, Clinton-Dix has been respected for his coverage skills, instincts, and tackling ability. He recorded over 500 tackles, 16 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles in his NFL career.
Clinton-Dix Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (Packers)
Martellus Bennett
Martellus Bennett is a former tight end, known for his unique combination of size, speed, and hands. He was selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent four seasons but never quite reached his potential as a top-tier tight end.
Bennett’s career took off when he joined the New York Giants in 2012, recording 55 receptions for 626 yards and five touchdowns in his single season with the team. He then moved to the Chicago Bears and in 2014 has 90 catches, 916 yards, and 6 touchdowns, earning his first and only Pro Bowl selection.
His career highlights also include winning Super Bowl LI with the New England Patriots during the 2016 season. After a brief stint with the Green Bay Packers in 2017, he returned to the Patriots but retired after the 2017 season.
