Linebackers are the unsung heroes of the NFL. They are the guys who do the dirty work, making tackles and stopping the run. But there are some linebackers who are more than just role players. They are stars who can dominate a game and make or break a bet on the NFL. There are many great linebackers in NFL history, but some of the best include:
Lawrence Taylor (New York Giants)
Taylor is widely considered to be the greatest linebacker of all time. He was a dominant force on the Giants defence for 13 seasons, winning 8 Pro Bowls and 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was also named NFL MVP in 1986. Taylor was a freak athlete who could do it all. He was a great run stopper, a great pass rusher, and he was also very good in coverage.
Dick Butkus (Chicago Bears)
Butkus was a fearsome tackler for the Bears from 1965 to 1973. He was named to 8 Pro Bowls and was a 2-time Defensive Player of the Year. Butkus is considered to be one of the hardest-hitting players in NFL history. He was also a very good pass rusher.
Jack Ham (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Ham was a key member of the Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defence for 14 seasons. He was named to 9 Pro Bowls and was a 4-time Super Bowl champion. Ham was a versatile linebacker who could play both the run and pass. He was a great tackler and he was also very good in coverage.
Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens)
Lewis was the leader of the Ravens’ defence for 17 seasons. He was named to 13 Pro Bowls and was a 2-time Defensive Player of the Year. Lewis was a fierce competitor who was also very good in coverage. He was the heart and soul of the Ravens’ defence.
Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers)
Willis was a dominant force for the 49ers from 2007 to 2014. He was named to 7 Pro Bowls and was a 5-time All-Pro. Willis was a tackling machine who was also very good in coverage. He was one of the most feared linebackers in the NFL.
Bobby Bell (Kansas City Chiefs)
Bell was a key member of the Chiefs’ “Chiefs Kingdom” defence for 14 seasons. He was named to 12 Pro Bowls and was a 2-time Super Bowl champion. Bell was a versatile linebacker who could play both the run and pass. He was a great tackler and he was also very good in coverage.
Derrick Thomas (Kansas City Chiefs)
Thomas was a dominant pass rusher for the Chiefs for 11 seasons. He was named to 10 Pro Bowls and was a 5-time All-Pro. Thomas holds the NFL record for career sacks with 207. He was one of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history.
Mike Singletary (Chicago Bears)
Singletary was the leader of the Bears’ “46” defence for 12 seasons. He was named to 10 Pro Bowls and was a 3-time Defensive Player of the Year. Singletary was a fierce competitor who was also very good in coverage. He was the heart and soul of the Bears’ defence.
Joe Schmidt (New York Giants)
Schmidt was a key member of the Giants’ “Giants dynasty” defence for 15 seasons. He was named to 10 Pro Bowls and was a 5-time All-Pro. Schmidt was a versatile linebacker who could play both the run and pass. He was a great tackler and he was also very good in coverage.
Ray Nitschke (Green Bay Packers)
Nitschke was a key member of the Packers’ “Packers dynasty” defence for 15 seasons. He was named to 10 Pro Bowls and was a 5-time All-Pro. Nitschke was a fierce competitor who was also very good in coverage. He was the heart and soul of the Packers’ defence.
These are just a few of the many great linebackers in NFL history. It is difficult to say who is the best, as there are many factors to consider. However, Taylor, Butkus, Ham, Willis, and Lewis are all considered to be among the best of the best.