A significant tribute to recent NFL history has just been unveiled, commemorating the league’s most dominant and influential figures from the past quarter-century. The occasion celebrates the elite players and coaches who have left an indelible mark on the game since the year 2000. And for Chicago Bears fans, there’s a reason to take pride—two franchise legends have been honored on this prestigious list.
This recognition comes from ESPN analysts Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder, who compiled the NFL All Quarter Century Team: Best 53-Man Roster, Coaches. Designed to spotlight the very best from 2000 to 2025, this list combines both analytical insight and historical impact, offering a data-driven approach to naming the most influential names in modern NFL history.
Among the elite selections are linebacker Brian Urlacher and return specialist Devin Hester, two icons who represent the heart and soul of Chicago football. Their inclusion reflects not just highlight-reel moments, but sustained excellence and undeniable influence over their respective eras.
Brian Urlacher, who spent his entire 13-year career with the Bears, was the linchpin of a defense that struck fear into opponents throughout the 2000s. A versatile and explosive presence, Urlacher amassed 41.5 career sacks, 11 forced fumbles, and 22 interceptions, while also earning five All-Pro selections and being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. According to ESPN’s metrics, the Bears’ defense, led by Urlacher, ranked third in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play from 2001 to 2012. Urlacher himself was ranked fourth among all players in plus-EPA per game, a testament to his game-altering presence on the field.
Meanwhile, Devin Hester turned special teams into a spectacle. With 20 total return touchdowns and over 11,000 return yards, Hester redefined what it meant to be a return specialist. A staggering 14 of those touchdowns came on punt returns—a record that remains untouched. His explosiveness made him a constant threat every time he fielded a kick. Hester’s legacy was cemented in 2024, when he became the first return specialist ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His electrifying return on the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI is still etched into NFL lore as one of the most unforgettable plays in championship history.
ESPN’s Quarter Century Team serves as both a celebration and a historical snapshot—recognizing players whose careers shaped the NFL over the past 25 years. For Bears fans, it’s a moment of reflection and pride, celebrating the legacies of two titans who helped define a generation of football at Soldier Field. Urlacher and Hester remain enduring symbols of toughness, excitement, and Chicago’s deep-rooted football tradition.
