Chicago Bears all-time interceptions leaders starts with Gary Fencik, the franchise record-holder with 38 regular-season interceptions. Richie Petitbon ranks second, Charles Tillman is third, and Donnell Woolford and Bennie McRae complete a top five that shows how strong Chicago’s defensive back history has been.
This list uses regular-season Chicago Bears franchise interceptions only. Playoff and preseason interceptions are not included.
For the full franchise index, visit our Chicago Bears all-time leaders and player rankings hub.
How This Bears Interceptions List Works
This ranking is based on regular-season interceptions recorded with the Chicago Bears franchise. Players are ranked by Bears-only interceptions, not total NFL career interceptions.
That matters for players who had NFL production outside Chicago. Only what they did with the Bears counts for this leaderboard.
Table of Contents
- How This Bears Interceptions List Works
- 1. Gary Fencik: 38 Interceptions
- 2. Richie Petitbon: 37 Interceptions
- 3. Charles Tillman: 36 Interceptions
- 4. Donnell Woolford: 32 Interceptions
- 5. Bennie McRae: 27 Interceptions
- 6. Dave Whitsell: 26 Interceptions
- 7. George McAfee: 25 Interceptions
- 8. Doug Buffone: 24 Interceptions
- 8. J.C. Caroline: 24 Interceptions
- 10. Rosey Taylor: 23 Interceptions
- Biggest Takeaways
- Full Bears Interceptions Table
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- More Bears and NFL Rankings
1. Gary Fencik: 38 Interceptions
Chicago Bears Stats: 1976-1987 with Chicago, franchise-record 38 interceptions, 488 interception return yards, 1 interception return touchdown, two Pro Bowls, First-Team All-Pro honors and Super Bowl XX champion.
Gary Fencik is the Chicago Bears all-time interceptions leader. His 38 picks remain the franchise record, and his long run at safety made him one of the defining defensive players in team history.
Fencik was smart, physical and dependable on the back end. He could clean up mistakes, punish receivers over the middle and turn quarterback errors into takeaways.
His role on the 1985 Bears defense also matters. That team is remembered for its front seven, but Fencik helped give the defense a reliable veteran presence in the secondary.
2. Richie Petitbon: 37 Interceptions
Chicago Bears Stats: 1959-1968 with Chicago, 37 interceptions, 643 interception return yards and 3 interception return touchdowns.
Richie Petitbon ranks second in Bears career interceptions, just one behind Gary Fencik. He was one of the franchise’s best ballhawks of the 1960s.
Petitbon played safety with strong instincts and made a habit of turning mistakes into takeaways. His 37 interceptions have kept him near the top of the Bears record book for decades.
His return yardage also stands out. Petitbon was not just ending drives; he was creating field position and occasionally turning picks into points.
3. Charles Tillman: 36 Interceptions
Chicago Bears Stats: 2003-2014 with Chicago, 36 interceptions, 675 interception return yards, 8 interception return touchdowns, 42 forced fumbles, two Pro Bowls and First-Team All-Pro honors.
Charles Tillman ranks third with 36 interceptions, but his turnover legacy goes far beyond picks. “Peanut” was one of the best defensive playmakers in modern Bears history.
Tillman’s famous punch forced fumbles at an elite rate, and his interception return touchdown production gave Chicago real scoring value from the secondary. He was not just a coverage corner. He was a possession-flipping defender.
That is why Tillman belongs near the top of any best Chicago Bears defensive players of all-time conversation. The interception total is strong, but the full turnover profile is what makes him special.
4. Donnell Woolford: 32 Interceptions
Chicago Bears Stats: 1989-1996 with Chicago, 32 interceptions, 212 interception return yards and 1 interception return touchdown.
Donnell Woolford ranks fourth in Bears career interceptions. He gave Chicago strong cornerback play across the late 1980s and 1990s.
Woolford was productive, consistent and reliable in coverage. His 32 interceptions keep him firmly among the top defensive backs in franchise history.
He sometimes gets overlooked because he played after the peak of the 1985 defense, but the production is hard to ignore. Woolford is one of the best pure coverage names on this leaderboard.
5. Bennie McRae: 27 Interceptions
Chicago Bears Stats: 1962-1970 with Chicago, 27 interceptions, 485 interception return yards and 4 interception return touchdowns.
Bennie McRae ranks fifth with 27 interceptions. He was a productive defensive back during an era when the Bears still carried a tough defensive identity.
McRae’s return production also stands out. His four interception return touchdowns show that he was not just taking the ball away; he was creating scoring chances.
That is the difference between a simple interception total and real defensive impact. McRae gave Chicago both.
6. Dave Whitsell: 26 Interceptions
Chicago Bears Stats: 1961-1966 with Chicago, 26 interceptions, 397 interception return yards and 2 interception return touchdowns.
Dave Whitsell ranks sixth on the Bears all-time interceptions list. His Chicago run was not extremely long, but his ball production was strong.
Whitsell had the timing and awareness to make plays in coverage, and his 26 interceptions still place him ahead of several major Bears defensive names.
He also played during an important era for the franchise, overlapping with the 1963 championship team. That gives his ranking more historical weight.
7. George McAfee: 25 Interceptions
Chicago Bears Stats: 1940-1941 and 1945-1950 with Chicago, 25 interceptions, 350 interception return yards, multiple NFL championships and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
George McAfee ranks seventh with 25 interceptions. He was one of the most versatile players in Bears history and made an impact in multiple phases of the game.
McAfee’s interception total came in an early era of NFL football, but his athleticism and playmaking ability still stand out. He was not just a defensive back. He was an offensive weapon, return threat and defensive playmaker.
That all-around value is why McAfee remains one of the franchise’s most important old-school legends and a major name in the best Chicago Bears players of all-time discussion.
8. Doug Buffone: 24 Interceptions
Chicago Bears Stats: 1966-1979 with Chicago, 24 interceptions, 211 interception return yards and 186 regular-season games.
Doug Buffone is tied for eighth with 24 interceptions. As a linebacker, his place this high on an interceptions leaderboard is especially impressive.
Buffone had excellent instincts and rare longevity. He spent 14 seasons with the Bears, played 186 regular-season games and became one of the franchise’s most respected defensive players.
Most interception lists are dominated by defensive backs. Buffone being this high says a lot about his coverage ability and football intelligence.
8. J.C. Caroline: 24 Interceptions
Chicago Bears Stats: 1956-1965 with Chicago, 24 interceptions, 405 interception return yards and 2 interception return touchdowns.
J.C. Caroline also ranks eighth with 24 interceptions. He gave Chicago a long stretch of productive secondary play in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Caroline’s return yardage shows that he could create field position after takeaways, not just end drives with interceptions. That matters for a Bears defense built around field position and physical football.
His tie with Buffone gives the No. 8 spot a nice contrast: one defensive back, one linebacker, both with 24 Bears interceptions.
10. Rosey Taylor: 23 Interceptions
Chicago Bears Stats: 1961-1969 with Chicago, 23 interceptions, 414 interception return yards and 3 interception return touchdowns.
Rosey Taylor rounds out the top 10 with 23 interceptions. His best season came in 1963, when he helped the Bears defense power a championship run.
Taylor’s combination of ball production and scoring value makes him one of the most important defensive backs from one of Chicago’s strongest defensive eras.
The top 10 is tight enough that every interception matters. Taylor’s 23 picks keep him just ahead of several famous Bears names in the expanded table.
Biggest Takeaways
The biggest takeaway is how tight the top three are. Gary Fencik leads with 38 interceptions, Richie Petitbon is one behind at 37, and Charles Tillman is right there with 36.
Charles Tillman stands out for scoring and overall turnover value. He ranks third in interceptions, but his forced fumbles and interception return touchdowns make his defensive legacy even bigger.
The Bears’ interception leaderboard also shows strong era variety. It includes 1940s legends, 1960s defensive backs, the 1985 championship defense, modern cornerbacks and linebackers who were skilled enough in coverage to rank with defensive backs.
Full Table: Chicago Bears All-Time Interceptions Leaders
Note: This table uses regular-season Chicago Bears franchise interception stats only. Tied ranks are preserved.
| Rank | Player | Position | Years | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary Fencik | S | 1976-1987 | 38 |
| 2 | Richie Petitbon | S | 1959-1968 | 37 |
| 3 | Charles Tillman | CB | 2003-2014 | 36 |
| 4 | Donnell Woolford | CB | 1989-1996 | 32 |
| 5 | Bennie McRae | DB | 1962-1970 | 27 |
| 6 | Dave Whitsell | DB | 1961-1966 | 26 |
| 7 | George McAfee | HB/DB | 1940-1941, 1945-1950 | 25 |
| 8 | Doug Buffone | LB | 1966-1979 | 24 |
| 8 | J.C. Caroline | DB | 1956-1965 | 24 |
| 10 | Rosey Taylor | S | 1961-1969 | 23 |
| 11 | Allan Ellis | DB | 1973-1977, 1979-1980 | 22 |
| 11 | Brian Urlacher | LB | 2000-2012 | 22 |
| 11 | Dick Butkus | LB | 1965-1973 | 22 |
| 14 | Terry Schmidt | DB | 1974-1984 | 21 |
| 14 | Don Kindt | DB | 1947-1955 | 21 |
| 16 | Mark Carrier | S | 1990-1996 | 20 |
| 16 | Mike Richardson | CB | 1983-1988 | 20 |
| 16 | Leslie Frazier | CB | 1981-1985 | 20 |
| 19 | Kyle Fuller | CB | 2014-2020 | 19 |
| 19 | Nathan Vasher | CB | 2004-2009 | 19 |
| 21 | Dave Duerson | S | 1983-1989 | 18 |
| 21 | Bill George | LB | 1952-1965 | 18 |
| 21 | Ray McLean | DB | 1940-1941, 1943-1947 | 18 |
| 24 | Mike Brown | S | 2000-2008 | 17 |
| 24 | Sid Luckman | QB/DB | 1939-1950 | 17 |
FAQ: Chicago Bears All-Time Interceptions Leaders
Who has the most interceptions in Chicago Bears history?
Gary Fencik has the most interceptions in Chicago Bears history with 38 regular-season interceptions.
Who is second in Bears career interceptions?
Richie Petitbon ranks second in Chicago Bears career interceptions with 37 interceptions.
Where does Charles Tillman rank in Bears interceptions?
Charles Tillman ranks third in Chicago Bears career interceptions with 36 interceptions.
Why are Doug Buffone and J.C. Caroline both ranked eighth?
Doug Buffone and J.C. Caroline are both ranked eighth because each player finished with 24 interceptions for the Bears.
Who has the most interception return touchdowns among Bears interception leaders?
Charles Tillman stands out with 8 interception return touchdowns, the most among the players on this leaderboard.
Are playoff interceptions included in this Bears ranking?
No. This ranking uses regular-season Chicago Bears interceptions only. Playoff and preseason stats are not included.
Conclusion: Gary Fencik Still Owns the Bears Interception Record
Gary Fencik remains the Chicago Bears all-time interceptions leader with 38 regular-season picks. Richie Petitbon is close behind with 37, Charles Tillman ranks third with 36, and Donnell Woolford sits fourth with 32.
The Bears’ interceptions leaderboard is loaded with defensive history. From George McAfee and Richie Petitbon to Gary Fencik, Charles Tillman, Brian Urlacher and Dick Butkus, Chicago’s takeaway tradition stretches across nearly every major era of the franchise.
More Bears and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture, visit our Chicago Bears all-time leaders and player rankings hub.
You can also read our related Bears pages for the best Chicago Bears players of all-time, best Chicago Bears defensive players of all-time, Chicago Bears all-time sacks leaders, Chicago Bears all-time passing yards leaders, Chicago Bears all-time rushing yards leaders and Chicago Bears all-time receiving yards leaders.
For broader NFL history, check out the NFL team all-time player rankings hub, the main NFL page and follow SOG Football on Instagram for more NFL rankings and football history graphics.
