1931 Chicago Bears season

Season Overview

The 1931 Chicago Bears season was their 12th regular season completed in the National Football League. The club posted an 8–5 record under sophomore head coach Ralph Jones. The club finished in third place once again behind the Green Bay Packers and the Portsmouth Spartans. The Bears opened the season well, winning three of their first four games, including victories over the Cardinals and Giants. Chicago then dropped two in a row, both at home to the Packers and Yellowjackets. Four consecutive wins in the middle of the season put the Bears back in contention; however, another weak ending, losing two of their last three, made the season somewhat of a disappointment. Grange and Nagurski again carried the team, with 9 touchdowns between them (7 by Grange). The Bears' biggest weakness was an aging interior line, with few young lineman joining the team who had an impact. They also lacked a consistent kicking game, now that Paddy Driscoll and the Sternaman brothers had all retired. Owner George Halas would remedy these problems over the next few years and get the Bears back on top.

Future Hall of Fame Players

• Red Grange, Back
• Link Lyman, Tackle
• Bronko Nagurski, Fullback
• George Trafton, Center

Other Leading Players

• Carl Brumbaugh, Quarterback
• Garland Grange, End
• Luke Johnsos, End
• Keith Molesworth, Back
• William Senn, Back

Other Players

• Joe Lintzenich, FB/HB

Players Departed from 1930

• Joe Sternaman, Quarterback (retired)

Schedule

Standings

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.