Fantasy football flashback: The best Chicago Bears RB seasons this century—ranked

If fantasy football was a thing in 1977 wouldn’t it have been nice to have Walter Payton on your roster?

Damn straight. Because, this…

• Rushing Yards: 1,852

• Rushing TDs: 14

• Receptions: 27

• Receiving Yards: 269

• Receiving TDs: 2

That all would’ve sussed out to 335.1 fantasy points, just 20 points behind Saquon Barkley’s 2024 total…and Walter did it three less games!

There were plenty seasons past, however, when you didn’t want a Chicago Bears running back anywhere near your fantasy roster. Like Anthony Thomas had some okay years, but for the most part, he was a waiver wire pickup.

However, we have seen a handful of Bears’ backs deliver league-winning stats. Since we covered the last 25 years, here—and since we formatted this article in ascending order—you’ll have to scroll to the bottom of the page in order to find out which Midway Monster was Chicago’s ultimate 21st Century RB1.

25) 2007 – Cedric Benson
Rushing Yards: 674
Rushing TDs: 4
Receptions: 17
Receiving Yards: 123
Receiving TDs: 0
Fantasy Points: 113.7

24) 2002 – Anthony Thomas
Rushing Yards: 721
Rushing TDs: 6
Receptions: 19
Receiving Yards: 144
Receiving TDs: 0
Fantasy Points: 132.5

23) 2023 – Khalil Herbert
Rushing Yards: 731
Rushing TDs: 4
Receptions: 30
Receiving Yards: 234
Receiving TDs: 1
Fantasy Points: 159.5

22) 2003 – Anthony Thomas
Rushing Yards: 1,024
Rushing TDs: 6
Receptions: 21
Receiving Yards: 171
Receiving TDs: 0
Fantasy Points: 169.5

21) 2019 – David Montgomery
Rushing Yards: 889
Rushing TDs: 6
Receptions: 25
Receiving Yards: 185
Receiving TDs: 1
Fantasy Points: 170.4

20) 2022 – David Montgomery
Rushing Yards: 801
Rushing TDs: 5
Receptions: 34
Receiving Yards: 316
Receiving TDs: 1
Fantasy Points: 174.7

19) 2015 – Matt Forte
Rushing Yards: 898
Rushing TDs: 4
Receptions: 44
Receiving Yards: 389
Receiving TDs: 3
Fantasy Points: 185.7

18) 2001 – Anthony Thomas
Rushing Yards: 1,183
Rushing TDs: 7
Receptions: 19
Receiving Yards: 211
Receiving TDs: 0
Fantasy Points: 190.4

17) 2021 – David Montgomery
Rushing Yards: 849
Rushing TDs: 7
Receptions: 42
Receiving Yards: 301
Receiving TDs: 0
Fantasy Points: 203.0

16) 2017 – Jordan Howard
Rushing Yards: 1,122
Rushing TDs: 9
Receptions: 23
Receiving Yards: 125
Receiving TDs: 0
Fantasy Points: 203.7

15) 2006 – Thomas Jones
Rushing Yards: 1,210
Rushing TDs: 6
Receptions: 36
Receiving Yards: 154
Receiving TDs: 0
Fantasy Points: 205.4

14) 2009 – Matt Forte
Rushing Yards: 929
Rushing TDs: 4
Receptions: 57
Receiving Yards: 471
Receiving TDs: 0
Fantasy Points: 210.0

13) 2000 – James Allen
Rushing Yards: 1,120
Rushing TDs: 2
Receptions: 68
Receiving Yards: 433
Receiving TDs: 1
Fantasy Points: 212.3

12) 2024 – D'Andre Swift
Rushing Yards: 1,012
Rushing TDs: 6
Receptions: 46
Receiving Yards: 382
Receiving TDs: 2
Fantasy Points: 220.4

11) 2012 – Matt Forte
Rushing Yards: 1,094
Rushing TDs: 5
Receptions: 44
Receiving Yards: 340
Receiving TDs: 1
Fantasy Points: 224.4

10) 2005 – Thomas Jones
Rushing Yards: 1,335
Rushing TDs: 9
Receptions: 26
Receiving Yards: 133
Receiving TDs: 0
Fantasy Points: 224.8

9) 2011 – Matt Forte
Rushing Yards: 997
Rushing TDs: 3
Receptions: 52
Receiving Yards: 490
Receiving TDs: 1
Fantasy Points: 225.7

8) 2016 – Jordan Howard
Rushing Yards: 1,313
Rushing TDs: 6
Receptions: 29
Receiving Yards: 298
Receiving TDs: 1
Fantasy Points: 229.1

7) 2004 – Thomas Jones
Rushing Yards: 948
Rushing TDs: 7
Receptions: 56
Receiving Yards: 427
Receiving TDs: 0
Fantasy Points: 229.5

6) 2018 – Tarik Cohen
Rushing Yards: 444
Rushing TDs: 3
Receptions: 71
Receiving Yards: 725
Receiving TDs: 5
Fantasy Points: 233.9

5) 2020 – David Montgomery
Rushing Yards: 1,070
Rushing TDs: 8
Receptions: 54
Receiving Yards: 438
Receiving TDs: 2
Fantasy Points: 247.8

4) 2010 – Matt Forte
Rushing Yards: 1,069
Rushing TDs: 6
Receptions: 51
Receiving Yards: 547
Receiving TDs: 3
Fantasy Points: 258.6

3) 2008 – Matt Forte
Rushing Yards: 1,238
Rushing TDs: 8
Receptions: 63
Receiving Yards: 477
Receiving TDs: 4
Fantasy Points: 294.5

2) 2013 – Matt Forte
Rushing Yards: 1,339
Rushing TDs: 9
Receptions: 74
Receiving Yards: 594
Receiving TDs: 3
Fantasy Points: 296.3

1) 2014 – Matt Forte
Rushing Yards: 1,038
Rushing TDs: 6
Receptions: 102
Receiving Yards: 808
Receiving TDs: 4
Fantasy Points: 346.6