Chicago Bears: 5 players who belong in the Bears ‘Hall of Shame’

Chicago Bears Hall of Shame Inductee No. 2: Cedric Benson, RB (2005–2007)

Drafted: 1st round, 4th overall (2005)

"Career stats with Chicago Bears:  12 games started; 35 games played; 420 rushes, 1593 yards; 10 TDs"

Now, these stats above aren’t necessarily the reason that Cedric Benson is sitting at No. 2 on the Chicago Bears Hall of Shame, rather just about everything he did off the field.

If you were to ask ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson how he felt about Benson back in 2017, it would be hard to walk away from the conversation not really understanding how much Dickerson backed up his belief that Cedric Benson was the biggest bust in Chicago Bears’ history.

"How much time do you have? The options here [for biggest bust in Chicago Bears history] are endless, but we’ll go with Benson, who lasted only three seasons in Chicago before being cut in the 2008 offseason after a string of off-the-field incidents. The Bears wanted Benson to replace veteran tailback Thomas Jones, but Benson struggled in the lead role in 2007, rushing for only 674 yards (3.4 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. To be fair, Benson has plenty of company. The Bears also whiffed on first-round picks Curtis Enis, Cade McNown, David Terrell, Michael Haynes, Chris Williams, Gabe Carimi and Shea McClellin — and that’s just since 1998! The jury is also out on Kyle Fuller and Kevin White, but both are trending in the wrong direction. It’s no wonder the Bears have reached the playoffs only five times since Mike Ditka left in 1992. — Jeff Dickerson"

And while I obviously don’t have him as the biggest bust, he sure is close.

My biggest gripe with Benson’s career on the Bears was that he just never seemed to want to play for this team, nor did he seem to commit to wanting to be an NFL player. After holding out in training camp, Benson would only go on to play in nine games his first year with the Bears. In those nine games, he put up less than 300 yards on 67 carries.

While Benson saw more time on the field in his next season, it really didn’t amount to much more production than the incomplete rookie season. His sophomore season resulted in continuing to be Thomas Jones’ understudy by starting no games and putting up a total of 647 yards and six touchdowns on 157 attempts.

Here we are, Benson’s third season, and things are looking up. Cedric Benson might finally be the replacement for Thomas Jones that the Bears drafted at fourth overall.

Benson’s 2007 season resulted in starting 11 games, rushing for 674 yards and four touchdowns off 196 attempts. As you can see, Cedric Benson never really panned out, and not only was he not a great player on the field, but he also earned quite the reputation off the field.

After two alcohol-related arrests in 35 or so days, the Bears released Benson, and ever since, Bears fans across the globe wonder: “Imagine if the Bears drafted Aaron Rodgers (or most of the first-round CBs) in 2005 instead of Cedric Benson.”

However,  may Cedric Benson rest in peace, as his death on August 17, 2019, sent a clear message to NFL fans on how fragile life can be, no matter who you are.

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… the No. 1 inductee into the Chicago Bears Hall of Shame.