Linebacker is one of the most important and demanding positions in football. A truly great linebacker must be able to read the offense, set the defensive scheme, play the run with cat-like instincts and defend the pass with the utmost precision.
All while being tasked with avoiding blocks and keeping tabs on the opposing quarterback. A tall order to say the least, and these 5 players did it better than anyone in the history of the NFL.
5. Mike Singletary
- Chicago 1981-92
- 9-time All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler
- Super Bowl XX champion
- 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985, ’88)
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1989. When you think of Singletary, the first thing that comes to mind is intense focus. The only thing that could match his signature stare was the stellar play of “Samurai Mike” on the field.
Singletary was one of the key leaders of the famous ’85 Bears defense, arguably the greatest defense in the history of the NFL. He also played a big role in one of the most dominant performances by a defense in Super Bowl history.
4. Jack Lambert
- Pittsburgh 1974-84
- 8-time All-Pro, 9-time Pro Bowler
- Super Bowl IX, X, XIII, XIV champion
- 1974 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
- 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1967, ’83)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1990
NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019). He was the notorious leader of one of the greatest defenses to ever make its way onto a football field – Pittsburgh’s famed “Steel Curtain.”
The versatile middle linebacker played a significant role in helping the Steelers win four Super Bowls in a span of six years in the 1970s. Lambert’s signature toothless snarl struck fear into the hearts of the opposition and lends credence to his legendary status as one of the toughest players all-time.
3. Dick Butkus
- Chicago 1965-73
- 8-time All-Pro, 8-time Pro Bowler
There is a reason the award given to the best linebacker in high school, college and the NFL each year is named after Butkus. He was the quintessential linebacker and easily the greatest of his era. Butkus’ nasty disposition and ability to blow up anyone standing in his path, made him one of the most feared players in the history of the game.
2. Ray Lewis
A true enforcer in every sense of the word, Lewis’ intensity was unmatched by any player of his era. He led some of the greatest defenses in NFL history in both performance and spirit. He holds the NFL record for the most Pro Bowl selections by a middle linebacker (13).
He also is the only linebacker to ever win a Super Bowl MVP and be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in the same season (2000). Love him or hate him, Lewis has earned the title of greatest middle linebacker of all time.
1. Lawrence Taylor
L.T. could hit like a freight train, but it was his finesse and high football IQ that helped him revolutionize the linebacker position. He is not only the greatest linebacker in NFL history, he’s one of the game’s greatest players period.
Taylor is one of only two defensive players (DT Alan Page, 1971) in the history of the NFL to be named NFL MVP. He is the only linebacker to ever take the honor.