August 7, 2024 7: 00 am ET
When someone thinks of football in the modern day and age, they think of quarterbacks. And without hesitation, too. They think of wizards like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen creating magic out of nothing, making the impossible seem like a breeze. But once upon a time, the NFL was viewed differently. When people thought about football, they thought about linebackers, indefatigable defensive field generals who struck fear into the hearts of those “pretty boy” offensive players on the other team.
Even if they’re technically less important now — depending on whom you ask anyway — linebackers are still important NFL fulcrums we can’t quite overlook just yet.
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The linebacker conversation in 2024 starts and ends with names like the San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner and the Baltimore Ravens’ Roquan Smith. But all-around defensive dynamos like them never get to where they are without the legendary linebackers who paved their path. Men who gave names like Warner and Smith a thoroughway to changing the game in their own right.
Below is a ranking of the greatest off-ball linebackers ever to play professional football. They were merciless intimidators. They were remarkable playmakers. Most of all, they were steadfast leaders, never wavering in the face of adversity.
Note: While I did not discriminate between inside or outside linebackers, those who were primarily known for rushing the passer off the edge were not included because that is a different position with different responsibilities.
10
Chuck Bednarik
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Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1949-1962)
Accolades: 2-time NFL champion, 8-time Pro Bowler, 10-time First-Team All-Pro
On a list of the greatest overall players ever, Bednarik would likely be higher.
But his splitting duty as the rare two-way player at linebacker and center means we can only judge him on his defensive prowess. Of course, that isn’t to say Bednarik was a slouch. For someone who never left the field of play, the legendary “60-Minute Man” was a relentless menace. He was known for his punishing tackling style and was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro for eight of his first nine seasons in Philadelphia.
9
Brian Urlacher
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Teams: Chicago Bears (2000-2012)
Accolades: Defensive Player of the Year (2005), Defensive Rookie of the Year (2000), 8-time Pro Bowler, 4-time First-Team All-Pro, solo tackles leader (2002)
A revolutionary titan of the game, Urlacher was arguably one of the most complete linebackers ever to play football. Thus, it should be no surprise that the first of three iconic Bears linebackers appears on this list.
Tailor-made for an era that embraced the forward pass more than ever, Urlacher simultaneously shut down rushing offenses by racing like a rocket from sideline to sideline while also covering a third of the field by himself like a free safety. He was essentially designed in a lab to helm the famous Cover-2 defense. An all-worldly versatile playmaker, Urlacher amassed over 1,300 tackles, nearly 140 tackles-for-loss, over 40 sacks, and 22 interceptions during his illustrious career with Chicago.
8
Derrick Brooks
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995-2008)
Accolades: Super Bowl 37 champion, Defensive Player of the Year (2002), 11-time Pro Bowler, 5-time First-Team All-Pro, 3-time solo tackles leader, combined tackles leader (1998)
A supreme athlete, Brooks accrued at least 100 tackles in 12 of his 14 seasons in Tampa Bay. Another prototype linebacker for the Cover-2, Brooks played with more of a downhill, “beat everyone up” style while still erasing the middle of the field in the passing game. That unsurprisingly made him the Buccaneers’ centerpiece during their run to their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history in 2002.
Here’s a fun fact about Brooks: He never missed a single game in 14 seasons. Not one. An ultimate ironman, he had 224 possible appearances and was always there between the lines. Imagine playing one of the most physical positions in the sport and still coming to play every Sunday.
Along with his playmaking and leadership, Brooks’ durability made him one of one.
7
Jack Lambert
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1984)
Accolades: 4-time Super Bowl champion, Defensive Player of the Year (1976), Defensive Rookie of the Year (1974), 9-time Pro Bowler, 6-time First-Team All-Pro
In the 1970s, there was nothing more intimidating as an offensive player than seeing Lambert’s largely toothless grin in black and gold staring back at you across the line of scrimmage. One of the truly great Steelers in their history, Lambert was a Pro Bowler for virtually the entire length of his career while captaining the legendary “Steel Curtain” defense. They simply and unironically don’t make defensive anchors of Lambert’s mold anymore.
6
Ted Hendricks
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Teams: Indianapolis Colts (1969-1973), Green Bay Packers (1974), Las Vegas Raiders (1975-1983)
Accolades: 4-time Super Bowl champion, 8-time Pro Bowler, 4-time First-Team All-Pro
Standing at a lanky 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, Hendricks utilized his unique frame to enjoy one of the more decorated and winningest careers in NFL history. As a linebacker, Hendricks had an unthinkable five seasons with at least three picks. If pass deflections had been counted as an official st