Its hard to argue with No. Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears (1965-73)Hall of Fame, Class of 1979 Sanders could have the highest ceiling of all the middle linebacker . Sam Huff almost left his rookie training camp with the New York Giants when coaches couldn't find a position for him. Talley was on all four of Buffalos AFC title teams that lost in the Super Bowl and finished his career with 1,252 tackles, 38.5 sacks and 29 takeaways. One of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history, Swilling finished his career with 107.5 sacks but no playoff wins. Backups: Luke Masterson, Curtis Bolton. The two Bears greats played together for Fortunato's final two seasons, which meant Butkus broke all of Fortunato's records just years after he set them. Over his career, Bednarick helped guide the Eagles to two NFL Championships while being named to eight Pro Bowl teams and selected eight times as a First Team All-Pro.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); When considering great middle linebackers it is hard to look past another Chicago Bear All-Pro who racked up a pretty solid NFL career. He was in The Monkees' cult-favorite film "Head" and also in the original "The Longest Yard" starring Burt Reynolds. Hardy Nickerson, Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-92), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (93-99), Jacksonville Jaguars (2000-01), Green Bay Packers (02) Karl Mecklenburg, Denver Broncos (1983-94) 1-time first-team All-Pro Lee Roy Jordan, Dallas Cowboys (1963-76) Dont forget Rays dance.2. For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). High school: Pahokee High School (Pahokee, Florida), Teams: New Orleans Saints (1981-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994-95), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1994), six-time Pro Bowl (1983-86, 1992, 1993), five-time All-Pro (1984-86, 1992, 1993), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010). All Rights Reserved. 10-time Pro Bowler High school: Excel High School (Excel, Alabama), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1971), NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1973), five-time Pro Bowl (1967-69, 1973, 1974), two-time All-Pro (1969, 1973). On paper, Gradishar's resume was much better than Mecklenburg's career accolades. Over his career, Urlacher was an eight time Pro Bowler and four time First Team All-Pro while racking up 1,086 tackles, 41.5 sacks and 22 interceptions. 2-time Pro Bowler Samurai Mike had crazy eyes that struck fear into an opposing offense even before he laid the smack down. He doesn't have overwhelming traits, but he has filled in capably as a . He returned to play the rest of the season with a specially made helmet because his jaw was wired shut. 5-time Pro Bowler24. Dick Butkus No. He took his skills as a free agent to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won two Super Bowls. The former Miami Hurricane is a member of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team and a member of the NFL's 100th Anniversary Team. Over his career, Lewis helped lead the Ravens to two Super Bowl championships while being named Super Bowl XXXV MVP. Zach Thomas brought a certain attitude to defenses as a middle linebacker, both in college at Texas Tech and in the NFL, that was evident from the moment he stepped on the field. The 2023 NFL Draft has arrived! 6-time Pro Bowler12. They changed the way football is played on every level. In four seasons, Willis has 594 total tackles, 15 sacks, made the Pro Bowl every year, and three times has been named a first-team All-Pro linebacker. If you're ever asked what the perfect size, speed and level of skill you would create for an NFL linebacker, Derrick Johnson should come to mind. Greatest Linebackers in NFL History By Tony Adame, updated on October 21, 2022 AP Photo Generations of linebackers have played in the NFL and defined the game.

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