The Chicago Bears have a long and storied history in the NFL, beginning as a franchise in 1920. 

The Bears became an NFL franchise the same year that the Arizona Cardinals did. The Green Bay Packers followed in 1921. with the New York Giants in 1925 and the Detroit Lions being founded in 1930. 

Chicago has one Super Bowl to its name, with the Bears winning 46-10 over the New England Patriots that season. 

On Wednesday, the two former Bears were announced as nominees for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Former Chicago center Olin Kreutz and cornerback Charles Tillman made the cut, as part of the 52 modern-era nominees, via ChicagoBears.com's Larry Mayer. 

It's nice to have a solid offensive lineman like Kreutz around to sure up the trenches. Kreutz was a mainstay in Chicago from 1998-2010 and made six Pro Bowls, with one All-Pro selection in 2006. 

He only spent one season not playing for the Bears, as he spent 2011 with the New Orleans Saints. He only allowed 18 sacks during his time with the Bears. Kreutz played in 195 NFL games with 187 starts. 

Kreutz attended Washington in college, where he was a Consensus All-American in 1997. 

Tillman became known for the way he knocked footballs away from opposing players, which was later called the "Peanut Punch." 

He also spent the majority of his NFL career in Chicago, playing for the franchise from 2003-2014. His last season in the league was spent was the Carolina Panthers in 2015. Tillman spent his college career with UL Lafayette. 

Tillman ended his NFL career with 930 total tackles and 38 interceptions. Tillman didn't waste any time making an impact at the professional level. He was finished fifth in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2003, with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs winning the honor that season. 

Tillman finished with 86 total tackles, four interceptions, one sack and two forced fumbles in his rookie season. 

He was a two-time Pro Bowler and was voted as an All-Pro in 2012. 

If Tillman or Kreutz make the Hall of Fame, they would join the 32 former Bears stars who have been inducted. Recently, players like return specialist Devin Hester (2024), defensive tackle Steve McMichael (2024) and linebacker Brian Urlacher (2018) were some of the more recent inductees. 

It's a great honor to wear that golden jacket that is given to players who are lucky enough to be among the NFL greats. Hopefully Kreutz and Tillman will get a chance.