Jim Covert
The immovable wall who protected the Bears' offense and helped deliver a Super Bowl title.
James Edward Covert wasn't just a left tackle; he was the silent engine that allowed the 1985 Bears to function as a machine. While the world obsessed over the '46 Defense,' Covert stood as an immovable object on the opposite side of the ball, anchoring the line with a blend of technical mastery and brute force that few in NFL history have matched. Selected 23rd overall in 1983, he immediately transformed from a rookie into the fortress protecting Jim McMahon's blind side and clearing lanes for Walter Payton. His career was a masterclass in efficiency: in just eight seasons, he earned five First-Team All-Pro nods and six Pro Bowl selections before a catastrophic knee injury forced his premature retirement. Yet, that brief window was enough to cement him as the greatest left tackle in franchise history and a 2019 Pro Football Hall of Famer.
- Position
- Offensive Tackle
- Years with Bears
- 1983–1990
- Pro Bowl Selections
- 6 (1984–1987, 1989, 1990)
- First-Team All-Pro
- 5 times
- Super Bowl Championship
- XX (1985 season)
Lore & Background
The 1985 season remains the gold standard for Covert's legacy, though it often lives in the shadow of the defensive juggernaut. While Mike Singletary and the '46 Defense' created chaos elsewhere, Covert provided the necessary calm on the offensive line. His performance in Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots was nothing short of a clinic; he neutralized the Patriots' pass rush so thoroughly that Jim McMahon faced almost no pressure, contributing directly to the historic 46-10 blowout. Tragically, this dominance came at a steep physical cost. A knee injury sustained in 1990 ended his career before he could add more chapters to his resume, leaving fans to wonder how much further he might have gone had the durability been there.
In Their Own Story
The wind whipped off Lake Michigan, stinging the exposed skin of players huddled on the Soldier Field turf. Jim Covert adjusted his helmet, the familiar weight settling as he locked eyes with the opposing defensive end. The crowd's roar faded into a dull hum in his mind; for Covert, football was never noise—it was geometry. He watched the linebacker's hips twitch, reading the blitz before it materialized. As the ball snapped, he exploded forward, his hands slapping the defender's chest plate with surgical precision, driving him backward into the neutral zone and erasing any threat to the pocket. Behind him, Jim McMahon stepped up, eyes scanning downfield, completely unbothered. Covert didn't need to look back; he knew the geometry held. Another play survived, another brick laid in the foundation of a championship.
Reader's Guide
Jim Covert's tenure (1983–1990) coincided with the Bears' metamorphosis from a competitive squad into a dynasty. His specific contribution was the stability required to balance a defense that famously stole the show. Unlike many linemen who relied on sheer size, Covert dominated through elite footwork and hand placement, allowing him to dismantle speed rushers while paving the way for the league's most prolific running back, Walter Payton.
His leadership style was demanding yet effective; he set a standard of technical perfection that elevated the entire offensive line. Despite his career being cut short by injury after only eight seasons, his resume is staggering: six consecutive Pro Bowls (1984–1987), five First-Team All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl XX victory ring. His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019 validated what Bears fans knew all along: Covert was the unsung hero who made the dynasty possible.
Did You Know?
- Selected 23rd overall in the 1983 NFL Draft, Covert started immediately and never missed a game until his injury in 1990.
- He earned six consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1984 to 1989, a streak that underscores his immediate and sustained dominance.
- Despite playing only eight seasons, Covert was named First-Team All-Pro five times—an elite rate of production unmatched by most linemen with full careers.
- His Super Bowl XX performance against the Patriots is frequently cited as one of the greatest individual pass-protection efforts in NFL history, helping secure a 46-10 victory.