Decatur Staleys Founding (1919)

Lore & Background

The pivotal moment in this era occurred when George Halas, hired to lead the team for their first official season, convinced Staley to allow the franchise to relocate to Chicago for the 1921 season. This decision was driven by the need for a larger market and better financial stability than Decatur could provide. The name 'Staleys' traveled with the roster initially, but the club officially competed as the 'Chicago Staleys' during the 1921 campaign before adopting the 'Chicago Bears' moniker starting in the 1922 season to honor the Chicago Cubs baseball team, whose stadium they would share. This transition from a company team to a civic institution defined the franchise's enduring legacy.

In Their Own Story

The autumn air in Decatur bit with a chill as the Staleys assembled on the dusty gridiron behind the factory walls, their breath visible in the crisp October light. George Halas stood atop the makeshift bleachers, his whistle slicing through the clatter of machinery and the chatter of men who were steelworkers and corn-harvesters by day but warriors by weekend. The crowd—plant foremen, local families, and curious neighbors packed shoulder-to-shoulder—watched with bated breath as Halas barked orders, drilling a squad that blended college legends with gritty industrial laborers. There was no 'Bears' on their jerseys yet, only the faded blue of the Staley starch brand, but in Halas's eyes burned a vision far beyond the cornfields: a future where these men would carry not just a company logo, but the hopes of an entire city.

Reader's Guide

The Decatur Staleys era (1919–1920) serves as the gritty prologue to the Chicago Bears' legendary saga. Born from corporate sponsorship, this chapter transformed a local factory team into an APFA powerhouse under the triple-threat leadership of George Halas. In just two seasons, the squad proved its mettle, securing a championship berth in the fledgling American Professional Football Association.

This period is the critical bridge between amateur industrial leagues and the modern professional structure. The 1921 decision to uproot the franchise from Decatur for Chicago remains the single most strategic pivot in the club's history, converting a regional curiosity into a major-market institution. Without the foundational talent and stability forged under the Staley banner, the Bears' subsequent dominance—including their 1940s dynasty and status as an NFL founding member—would never have taken flight.

The legacy of this era is defined by ambition meeting adaptation: it proves that dynasties often sprout from humble soil where corporate resources fuel athletic excellence. For modern fans, understanding the Staleys is essential to grasping how a starch company's team became the soul of Chicago football.

Did You Know?

• The 'Staleys' name was purely a tribute to their sponsor, A.E. Staley and his Staley Starch Company; there was no culinary connection to corn or wheat in the team's identity.
• George Halas wore every hat possible: he was the head coach, a starting player, and effectively the general manager who orchestrated the franchise's move from Decatur to Chicago.
• Although formed as an independent club in 1919, the Staleys joined the APFA for their inaugural official season in 1920, posting a formidable 10-1-2 record and finishing second behind the Akron Pros.
• The transition wasn't instant; for the 1921 season alone, the team competed as the 'Chicago Staleys' before officially adopting the iconic 'Bears' moniker starting in the 1922 season to honor their new home and share a s

Franchise Origins and Early Identity

The lineage of the Chicago Bears traces back to a unique corporate origin in Decatur, Illinois, rather than a traditional city-based club. Established in 1919 by the A.E. Staley Company as an employee team, the franchise began under the guidance of Robert E. Brannan. This company squad quickly gained prominence by becoming a charter member of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), marking its entry into organized professional football history. Although official record books often lack detailed statistics for that inaugural 1919 season, historical accounts note the team finished with an impressive 6–1 record under Brannan's leadership. The franchise underwent significant transformation shortly after its inception; it relocated from Decatur to Chicago in 1921, initially retaining the Staleys name before officially rebranding as the Bears in 1922. This pivotal year also coincided with the league itself evolving, as the APFA changed its designation to the National Football League (NFL), cementing the team's status within the newly formalized professional landscape.

The George Halas Coaching Legacy

George Halas stands as the singular most influential figure in the franchise's coaching history, holding the distinction of being the only coach with multiple tenures and the all-time leader in both games coached and victories. His impact is quantified by a staggering regular season record of 318 wins against 148 losses and 31 ties, alongside a playoff record of 6–3. Halas was instrumental in securing six NFL championships for the organization across different eras: 1921, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1946, and 1963. His versatility extended beyond the sidelines, as he also served as a former player before taking on head coaching duties. Halas's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame underscores his monumental status, placing him among an elite trio of Bears coaches to receive such honors. While other coaches like Ralph Jones achieved higher winning percentages during their shorter stints, no individual has matched Halas's longevity or cumulative success in guiding the franchise through more than a thousand games over its storied existence.

Championship Eras and Coaching Diversity

Throughout the franchise's history, five distinct head coaches have led the team to NFL championship victories, highlighting periods of exceptional performance. Beyond George Halas's six titles, Ralph Jones captured a championship in 1932 while also holding the record for the highest winning percentage among all Bears coaches at .706. The World War II era saw a unique arrangement where Hunk Anderson and Luke Johnsos served as co-head coaches from 1942 to 1945, appointed by Halas during his naval service; together they secured the 1943 title. Decades later, Mike Ditka added another championship banner in 1985, becoming one of only three Bears coaches elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame alongside Halas and Paddy Driscoll. This era also featured a tradition where several head coaches were former players for the team, including Anderson, Johnsos, Driscoll, Jim Dooley, Abe Gibron, and Ditka, creating a deep connection between on-field experience and leadership roles.

Modern Coaching Turbulence and Turnover

Following Mike Ditka's dismissal after the 1992 season, the franchise entered a prolonged period of coaching instability characterized by frequent changes in leadership. The team cycled through six different head coaches starting with Dave Wannstedt, who served until 1998, followed by Dick Jauron from 1999 to 2003. Lovie Smith was hired in January 2004 and remained until the end of the 2012 season, departing after a disappointing finish despite a strong start. The subsequent years saw rapid turnover with Marc Trestman (fired in 2014), John Fox (fired in 2018), and Matt Nagy (fired after 2021). This volatility culminated in the tenure of Matt Eberflus, who was fired in November 2024 following a losing streak that resulted in a .304 winning percentage, ranking as the third worst in team history. Thomas Brown served as interim coach for the final five games before Ben Johnson was officially named head coach on January 21, 2025, marking the latest chapter in this evolving leadership saga.