The

1938 Events January * January 1 ** The Constitution of Estonia#Third Constitution (de facto 1938–1940, de jure 1938–1992), new constitution of Estonia enters into force, which many consider to be the ending of the Era of Silence and the a ...

Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) North division. The Bears have won nine NF ...

season was their 19th

regular season In an organized sports league, a typical season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session: for example, in Major League Baseball the season lasts approximately from the last week of March to the last week of Se ...

completed in the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...

. They finished third in the Western Division and did not make the championship game. The Bears started the season well, winning 4 of their first 5 games. However, two upset losses to the Cleveland Rams, two losses to the Detroit Lions, and a loss to Green Bay prevented the Bears from competing in the West.

Season highlights

The Bears could not repeat their success of 1937. Although their attack was basically the same, except at running back. Bronko Nagurski and Keith Molesworth retired and the rushing attack was not as effective. Joe Maniaci, a back acquired from Brooklyn, joined the team and led the squad in rushing with 345 yards but his low 3.6 average yards per carry was emblematic of the Bears problems running the ball. Bill Karr again led the team in receiving, catching 14 passes for 253 yards and 4 touchdowns. Les McDonald played well at end and second year end Dick Plasman also contributed. The Bears "vertical" passing attack, led again by Bernie Masterson and Ray Buivid, had a league best 17.0 yards per reception, but the club's quarterbacks only had a 36.5 completion percentage. The Bear defense did not play as well as in 1937 either, giving up 14 or more points five times, or the same number of times as in the past two season combined. The biggest disappointment, overall, were the two losses to Cleveland. Cleveland only won 4 games all year, two against the Bears, and had the worst defense in the league, allowing 215 points for the year. In the first Cleveland game, the Bears were totally outplayed, falling behind 14–0 and failing to mount a serious comeback. The second loss was a back and forth affair, with the lead changing hands 7 times. The Bears gave up a 21–16 fourth quarter lead, losing 23–21 at home. As the only team in the league running the T-formation, it is no surprise the other teams kept using the Single Wing and its variants. Lacking a complete T-formation quarterback, the Bears offense was inconsistent and, at times, quite unimpressive.

Future Hall of Fame players

Dan Fortmann Daniel John Fortmann (April 11, 1916 – May 23, 1995) was an American professional football player who was a guard and linebacker for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Colgate University. Pla ...

, guard *

George Musso George Francis Musso (April 8, 1910 – September 5, 2000) was an American professional football player who spent his entire 12-year career as a guard and offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He was in ...

, guard *

Joe Stydahar Joseph Lee Stydahar (March 17, 1912 – March 23, 1977), sometimes listed as Joseph Leo Stydahar, and sometimes known by the nickname "Jumbo Joe", was an American professioinall football player and coach. He was inducted into the Pro Football H ...

, tackle

Other leading players

Frank Bausch Frank Joseph "Pete" Bausch (June 14, 1908 – April 6, 1976) was an American football center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Boston Redskins, the Chicago Bears, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at the Univer ...

, center *

Ray Buivid Raymond Vincent Buivid (August 15, 1915 – July 5, 1972) was an American football player who played quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears. A versatile player, Buivid played quarterback, halfback, and defensive ...

, back *

Jack Manders John Albert "Automatic Jack" Manders (January 13, 1909 – January 29, 1977) was an American football player. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears from 1933 to 1940. He's considered pro football's f ...

, fullback/kicker *

Joe Maniaci Joseph Vincent Maniaci (January 23, 1914 – June 20, 1996) was an American football player and coach. He played college football at Fordham University and then in the National Football League (NFL) with the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Chicago Bears ...

, back (acquired from Brooklyn at midseason) *

Bernie Masterson Bernard Edward Masterson (August 10, 1911 – May 16, 1963) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from 1946 to 1947, compiling a record of 5–13. Masterson played ...

, quarterback *

Les McDonald Lester Bruce McDonald (September 19, 1914 – July 26, 1971) was an American football end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at the University o ...

, end *

Ray Nolting Raymond Albert Nolting (November 8, 1913 – July 5, 1995) was an American football player and coach. He played professionally as a Halfback (American football), halfback with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1936 to 1 ...

, halfback

Players departed from 1937

Keith Molesworth Keith Frank Molesworth (October 20, 1905 – March 12, 1966) was an American football player and coach. He also played and managed in minor league baseball. Early life Molesworth was born in Washington, Iowa and graduated from Washington High ...

, halfback (retired) *

Bronko Nagurski Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski (November 3, 1908 – January 7, 1990) was a Canadian-born professional American football player in the National Football League (NFL), renowned for his strength and size. Nagurski was also a successful professional w ...

, fullback (retired)

Schedule

Standings

{{1938 NFL season by team

Chicago Bears seasons