Chicago Bears Hall of Shame: Worst breakup and more

After celebrating the Bears by highlighting their players who someday could be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we flip the script to give you Chicago's Hall of Shame. 

Worst breakup: Greg Olsen

Despite good production during his four seasons with the Bears, Chicago inexplicably traded Olsen to the Carolina Panthers in 2011. In wake of the surprising move, the belief was that offensive coordinator Mike Martz didn't fancy a tight end in his system and pushed for Olsen's trade, an accusation he has since called a "huge lie." 

Even former GM Jerry Angelo admitted trading Olsen was a mistake. However, no amount of denials or admissions after the fact will make how Olsen left Chicago more bearable for Bears fans. 

Martz was out as OC at the end of the season, while Olsen embarked on what may go down as a Hall of Fame career in Carolina. In nine seasons with the Panthers, Olsen compiled 524 receptions for 6,463 yards and 39 touchdown reception and earned Pro Bowl nods from 2014 to 2016. 

Worst draft pick: QB Cade McNown

The 1999 NFL Draft was quarterback-heavy, with five selected over the first 12 picks. Unfortunately for the Bears, they ended up with the last of the bunch, drafting McNown 12th overall. 

Picked at No. 1 overall by Cleveland, Tim Couch ended up on the all-time busts list. So did Akili Smith, whom the Bengals picked with the third overall pick. However, Donovan McNabb (No. 2, Eagles) and Daunte Culpepper (No. 11, Vikings) became Pro Bowlers. 

It quickly became apparent that McGown — a former UCLA star — wasn't a starting-caliber QB. He went 3-12 in 15 starts in 1999 and 2000, throwing for 3,111 yards with 16 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. . 

Worst free-agent signing: Defensive end Jared Allen 

Ahead of the 2014 season, the Bears thought they had pulled a fast one, snatching Allen from the rival Vikings. The Bears puffed out their chest after giving Allen a four-year, $32 million contract ($15.5 million guaranteed), with general manager Phil Emery calling the move a building block toward creating a "championship level" squad. 

However, Chicago's big free-agent signing turned into a dud after only a season and a half, as Allen seemingly lost his All-Pro skills overnight. Allen posted a career-low 5.5 sacks in his first season in Chicago and played in only three games for the Bears the following season before a trade to the Panthers. 

Worst loss: Bears vs. Washington 1986 NFC Divisional Round Playoff 

Coming off the franchise's first Super Bowl title, the Bears had eyes on a repeat after finishing the 1986 season 14-2 and earning a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs. However, Chicago's postseason run ended in the divisional round with a 27-13 loss to Washington at Soldier Field.

Head coach Mike Ditka started former Boston College star Doug Flutie, an NFL rookie, in place of injured Jim McMahon. He could have gone with Mike Tomczak, who'd gone undefeated (7-0) that season. Even Flutie himself saw disaster coming, saying only weeks earlier that he was still processing the offense and believed Tomczak should be the starting QB. 

Predictably, Flutie struggled, making only his second NFL start less than four months after the Bears acquired his rights in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. The 25-year-old finished 11-of-31 for 134 yards, one TD pass and two interceptions.