Chicago Bears: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time

Despite being undrafted out of North Carolina State, quarterback Erik Kramer went on to have a long career in the NFL. Originally signed by the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the 1987 season, Kramer found himself in the CFL for three years after that. He received another shot at the NFL in 1991 when the Detroit Lions brought him in.

Kramer showed enough in a reserve role to convince the Bears to pick him up in 1994. By his second year with the team, he was the full-time starter and put up the best season in team history in terms of both passing yards and touchdowns.

That fact was highlighted by Erik Lambert of NFL Mocks, who had Kramer on the outside looking in when he chose the five best signings in team history a couple of years ago.

"“Erik Kramer was brilliant in 1995 throwing for 3,838 yards and 29 touchdowns but his time in Chicago is marked by an inability to stay healthy or win. He failed to reach the playoffs in five seasons with the Bears.” — Lambert, NFL Mocks"

Really the most shocking thing here is that no Bears quarterback has ever hit 4,000 yards or 30 touchdowns. Not even the strong-armed Jay Cutler topped that, which makes Kramer’s success in 1995 even more impressive.

He played in Chicago through 1998 and had respectable numbers. Kramer threw for 10,582 yards with 63 touchdowns against 45 interceptions, although the team was 18-28 with him starting under center. So he doesn’t get the credit he deserves for what he brought over as an under-the-radar free agent signing back in 1994.