Chicago Bears Quarterbacks: Top 10 All-Time
#6 All-Time Bears QB, Bill Wade
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
William James Wade Jr., better known as Bill (Billy) Wade, played for the Chicago Bears from 1961 to 1966 after spending his first 7 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. While with the Rams Wade led the NFL in passing yards in 1958, throwing for 2,875 yards but with 22 INTs to only 18 TDs. In ’61 the Rams traded Wade to the Bears.
Wade performed well in his first season with the Bears, posting a 5-4 record in 9 starts and throwing for 2,258 yards with 22 TDs and 13 INTs. That year also saw Wade complete the longest pass in team history, a 98 yard TD to Bo Farrington. In 1962, Wade’s second year with the Bears, he put forth one of the more prolific seasons for any quarterback in team history. Wade’s completions (225; 12th most in team history), attempts (412; 11th most in team history) and yards (3,172; sixth most in team history) secure his place in the Chicago Bear record books.
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Wade played four more years with the Bears from 1963-1966 and guided the team to the ’63 NFL Championship, a game in which he scored the only two TDs. Wade’s performance declined somewhat in 1964 and he played sparingly the last two years of his career. I’ll leave you with some numbers that solidify Wade’s spot on this list:
- 3rd most TDs in team history (68)
- 6th winningest QB in team history (27-20-2)
- 6th most yards passing in team history (9,958)
- 9th best yards-per-game average in team history (168.8)
Next: Onward to the Top 5