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20 NFL players who were one-season wonders
Most would consider just one great season in the NFL better than none — even if the promise was there for more good times in the future. In the spirit of something is better than nothing, here's a look at our picks for some of the better one-year wonders (in chronological order) in NFL history.
NFL News / Yardbarker / October 14
Teams taking QB No. 1 overall should make coaching change as well
Recent NFL history should be a warning to future teams taking a quarterback with the top pick.
Chicago Bears News / ChiCitySports / August 5
Chicago Bears had familiar yellow problem surface on Tuesday
The Chicago Bears had their best physical practice since the Lovie Smith regime, but the offense was lacking in mental toughness on Tuesday. On Saturday, head coach Ben Johnson was frustrated with the offense committing multiple delay-of-game penalties in front of a crowd of 23,000 fans at Family Fest at Soldier Field.
The 'Most two passing touchdown NFL games' quiz
How many of the NFL quarterbacks to throw two touchdowns in a game on 55 different occasions can you name in eight minutes?
Chicago Bears News / Chicago Bears on SI / June 18
Unique All Quarter Century team lets Lovie Smith era Bears take a bow
A quarter of a century of football is a long time to consider the accomplishments of great players but ESPN's Seth Walder and Aaron Schatz did with their NFL All Quarter Century team.
The most regrettable NFL coach firings of all time
Many teams have made missteps regarding a separation from a head coach or coordinator. Some have been straight firings, others de facto dismissals described as mutual separations.
Los Angeles Rams News / Los Angeles Rams on SI / January 29
Could Lovie Smith be the Rams Next Assistant Head Coach?
The move would be a bold one, no doubt about it. But for a head coach like Sean McVay who's assistants get plucked every year for jobs away from the Rams, veteran head coach Lovie Smith could provide the assistant head coach role the consistency it needs to make McVay and the Rams successful beyond 2025.
Chicago Bears News / Chicago Bears on SI / January 17
Ranking the Chicago Bears' biggest missed coaching opportunities
It's been twelve years since the Chicago Bears fired Lovie Smith immediately following a season in which his team won 10 games, and they are about to hire their fifth head coach since then.
Chicago Bears News / ChiCitySports / December 2
Chicago Bears urged to trade for NFC North head coach
The Chicago Bears are searching for their fifth head coach since the 2012 season when they fired Lovie Smith. The Bears have made two playoff appearances (no wins) since Smith was fired.
NFL News / Toro Times / September 16, 2024
Lovie Smith saves Texans from Ryan Leaf-like disaster after Bryce Young benching
The Houston Texans may not have a ton of positives to take away from the exceedingly brief Lovie Smith era, as the team won just three games. However, the domino effect that led to CJ Stroud's success over the last season and changes and Bryce Young's historic struggles can be traced back to Smith and backup quarterback Davis Mills.
Chicago Bears News / Windy City Gridiron / September 9, 2024
10 Bears Takes: Chicago wins a game reminiscent of the Lovie Smith days, so how should we feel? 
Even if it was pretty, the Chicago Bears find themselves at (1-0) for the second time in their last 11 Week 1 performances. With a tough matchup on Sunday Night Football next weekend, how much better will they have to play to keep their undefeated record alive?
NFL News / PewterReport.com / July 11, 2024
Former Bucs DC Monte Kiffin Passes Away
Former Bucs defensive coordinator and Ring of Honor Inductee Monte Kiffin passed away today according to a post from the X (formerly Twitter) account for Ole Miss Football.
2026 first-round NFL mock draft: Three QBs in the top 10
With the month of September in the books, both the top college prospects and 2026 NFL draft order are coming into focus. Here's a look at our latest first-round NFL mock draft as of October 13, 2025.
Chicago Bears News / A to Z Sports / March 15, 2024
How Ryan Poles' masterclass management and Lovie Smith's parting gift are turning the Bears into real contenders
The Chicago Bears just executed a monumental deal with the Los Angeles Chargers after already having a solid start to the offseason in free agency, which begs the question: Are the Bears starting to become a legitimate contender?
Chicago Bears News / Windy City Gridiron / January 27, 2024
Chicago Bears Hire Eric Washington as Defensive Coordinator
The former assistant from Lovie Smith’s days in the Windy City returns for the top job on defense Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has certainly been busy this offseason as he faced a situation where both his offensive and defensive coordinators from a year ago had to be replaced simultaneously.
Chicago Bears News / Chicago Bears on SI / January 25, 2024
Bears Seek Interview with Eric Washington for DC Per Report
The Bears are considering another defensive coordinator candidate with past ties to the organization from the Lovie Smith era. The Bears asked permission to interview Buffalo Bills defensive line coach Eric Washington for their defensive coordinator position, according to a report by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
Houston Texans News / Houston Texans on SI / January 9, 2024
Stephen A. Smith Advice to Black Coaches: Good Thing DeMeco Ignored ESPN
It was just a year ago when the Houston Texans bid an understandable goodbye to Lovie Smith after just one season at the helm ... a maybe ill-advised hire.
Houston Texans News / Battle Red Blog / January 1, 2024
Happy New Year from Battle Red Blog
2023? Yeah, we’re done with that. It’s all about 2024 now. Happy New Year! Ugh, I’m sorry, I’ll keep it down. We’ve had a rough start to the 2020s, I ain’t gonna lie.
NFL News / Armchair Illini / December 17, 2023
Illinois Football Star has Declared for the 2024 NFL Draft…it’s not who you might think.
Standout Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Recruited as a quarterback from Trinity Catholic High School in Saint Louis, Missouri, Williams was the highest-rated recruit of the Lovie Smith era and also one of the most highly-touted recruits in school history.
Houston Texans News / Yardbarker / January 9, 2023
Former NFL coach rips Texans for Lovie Smith firing
Former NFL coach Tony Dungy blasted the Texans after news broke that the organization fired first-year head coach Lovie Smith hours after the team's regular-season finale.
NFL News / Yardbarker / January 8, 2023
Texans lose despite comeback win over Colts in Week 18
In the immortal words of Herm Edwards, "You play to win the game." Too bad the Texans didn't realize "the game" was the race for the first overall pick in the 2023 draft.
Houston Texans News / Yardbarker / December 14, 2022
Lovie Smith could lead the Texans to brighter days if they let him
With the team in line to draft star quarterback Bryce Young in the 2023 NFL Draft, it would be premature for the organization to move on from its first-year head coach.
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