The Chicago Bears rookie jersey numbers for 2018 have been officially handed out. This may not seem like breaking news stuff but it’s always interesting to see which directions the players wish to go. To put it another way, which legacies are they taking on. By this point, almost every number has seen at least one good player in Chicago. There’s a reason they have more retired than any franchise in the NFL.
So yeah. A number might mean a little more in Chicago than it would elsewhere. Remember how bent out of shape people got when Jerrell Freeman decided to wear #50? It’s interesting to see if any rookies took on such a colossal challenge living up to a similar number. There were certainly some surprises.
New digits. pic.twitter.com/uVvYaAEeZI
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 3, 2018
Roquan Smith – #58
Having worn #3 at Georgia, it’s a nice twist that Smith was able to secure #58. For those math junkies out there: 8-5=3. Interestingly enough the linebacker tradition at that number is already strong. Wilber Marshall, member of the famed 1985 Bears and three-time Pro Bowler donned that digit during his run in Chicago. Not long after he left it was taken over by guard Chris Villarial who was a reliable starter for several years from 1996 to 2003.
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James Daniels – #68
It’s curious why Daniels didn’t go with his college number of #78. Nobody on the current roster was occupying it. Regardless he still managed to secure a good one in #68. The most productive wearer was defensive tackle Jim Osborne way back in the 1970s. He was never a star but he was a good player for a long time, helping the team to emerge from a 14-year playoff drought. It was rather sad he retired one year before the Bears won a title.
Anthony Miller – #17
People are already getting on Anthony Miller about choosing #17. That’s because the best receiver the Bears have drafted in decades wore it in Alshon Jeffery. People are still sore about him leaving for Philadelphia. It seems Miller is aware of this and didn’t waste time addressing the situation.
Alshon had his own legacy. Let me build mine 🙏🏾
— Anthony Miller (@AnthonyMiller_3) May 3, 2018
Truth be told Jeffery isn’t even close to the best Bears player to wear that number though. That would be safety Richie Petitbon, four-time Pro Bowler and member of the 1963 NFL championship team.
Joel Iyiegbuniwe – #45
This number is what one might call dormant. While several players over the past couple decades have worn it for a short time, none of them did anything with the opportunity. The last man to do so was safety Gary Fencik. He was, of course, the leader of the Bears secondary in the 1980s, member of their Super Bowl team. Still beloved to this day. Joel Iyiegbuniwe certainly has a lot to live up to.
Bilal Nichols – #98
The recently departed Mitch Unrein surrenders his #98 to Nichols moving forward. Unrein was never a remarkable player but he was a solid, dependable one for three years. That has pretty much been the legacy of this jersey over the years. The best was Bryan Robinson. His claims to fame were his blocked field goal during the Walter Payton game in 1999 and being part of the 13-3 team in 2001. Good player.
Kylie Fitts – #49
Of all the Bears draft picks this year, sixth rounder Kylie Fitts is entering the most uncharted territory. It’s not a number that has produced much of anything in Bears history. The most notable player to wear it was defensive back David Tate. As a rookie in 1988 he delivered four interceptions while helping the Bears reach the NFC championship. After that? He disappeared. Not much to live up to. By that same token, there isn’t much pressure on Fitts.
Javon Wims – #83
The #83 has a fascinating history in Chicago. It’s seen great heights and spectacular lows over the years. David Terrell, one of the biggest busts in franchise history wore it. On the other hand, Willie Gault proudly donned it in the 1980s while winning a ring. Even Martellus Bennett claimed a Pro Bowl wearing it. So it’s not a cursed number by any sense, which is good news for Wims. Hopefully he can come in on the brighter side of it.
