The 10 Greatest Linebackers of All-Time
The NFL’s Greatest Linebackers Ever: A Top 10 List!
Linebackers have always been the backbone of fearsome defences, possessing a unique blend of physical prowess and football intelligence.
But who are the greatest linebackers of all-time? Check out the Top 10 linebackers in NFL history.
Including big achievements, NFL records and team contributions!
Legendary linebacker Dick Butkus
Linebackers possess the strength to overpower offensive linemen, the speed to cover wide receivers and the agility to anticipate and disrupt plays.
True leaders of the defence, they command their teammates, ensuring everyone is in sync on every snap.
While each legendary linebacker brings their own strengths, whether in tackling, coverage or creating turnovers, what sets them apart is their individual accomplishments, accolades, team contributions and their ability to consistently dominate.
These are the 10 greatest linebackers of all-time!
10. Bobby Bell
He recorded 26 career interceptions
He played for 12 seasons in the NFL
Six First-Team All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl appearances
Known as the leader of the "Redwood Forest" defence, Bobby Bell's impact was felt on and off the field.
Selected in the seventh round of the 1963 AFL Draft, Bell quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Although he excelled in open-field tackling, rather than accumulating sacks, his athleticism and football IQ made him a standout player.
He recorded 26 career interceptions, showcasing his versatility and playmaking ability.
Throughout his 12-season career, Bell earned numerous accolades, including six First-Team All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl appearances.
His contributions to the Chiefs' success were evident as he played a crucial role in winning two AFL championships and a Super Bowl.
Bell's athleticism was ahead of his time, making him a standout pass rusher and a true all-around player.
His career, marked by success, athleticism and leadership, exemplified the qualities of a true defensive great and cemented his status as one of the best linebackers ever.
9. Derrick Brooks
He led the Buccaneers to victory at Super Bowl XXXVII
He earned 11 Pro Bowl selections and nine All-Pro appearances
2000 Walter Payton Man of the Year winner
Despite concerns about his size, Brooks used his agility and competitiveness to make a lasting impact during his 14-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As a cornerstone of the Buccaneers' defence, Brooks excelled in the Tampa 2 system.
His ability to cover ground from sideline to sideline disrupted passing lanes and allowed him to showcase his ball-hawking skills.
With 25 interceptions, including six returned for touchdowns, he displayed his knack for creating game-changing plays.
One of his most memorable interceptions came in Super Bowl XXXVII, sealing the victory for the Buccaneers.
Brooks' durability was remarkable, as he never missed a game throughout his entire career.
His longevity allowed him to amass an impressive list of accolades, including 11 Pro Bowl selections, nine All-Pro nods and the 2002 Defensive Player of the Year award.
In addition to his on-field success, he was recognised as the 2000 Walter Payton Man of the Year for his contributions off the field.
Brooks brought his best game consistently, making plays all over the field and leading the Buccaneers to their first and only Super Bowl triumph in 2002.
His durability, competitive drive and ability to make game-changing plays cement his status as a true defensive legend.
8. Jack Ham
He recorded 32 interceptions
He broke the record for the most takeaways by a non-defensive back at 53
Eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time First-Team All-Pro
Jack Ham epitomised speed, intelligence and playmaking ability - and he was an integral part of the dominant Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty in the 1970s.
Regarded as one of the smartest players in NFL history, Ham's football IQ allowed him to excel in reading offences and making crucial plays.
With blazing speed and impeccable positioning, he recorded an impressive 32 interceptions and a record-setting 53 takeaways, the most by a non-defensive back in NFL history.
Ham's contributions were instrumental in the Steelers' four Super Bowl victories. Although he missed Super Bowl XIV due to an ankle injury, he started in all four championship-winning teams.
An eight-time Pro Bowler and a six-time First-Team All-Pro, Ham's speed and versatility made him stand out in an era when linebackers were not typically expected to cover passing routes with such agility.
His combination of physical prowess and football acumen earned him a well-deserved place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
7. Derrick Thomas
He became the fifth player to reach the 20-sack milestone
He received two First-Team All-Pro selections
He earned a place (posthumously) in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009
Selected as the No. 4 overall pick in the 1989 draft, Derrick Thomas wasted no time establishing himself as a premier pass-rusher.
In his rookie year, Thomas earned the Defensive Rookie of the Year title, showcasing his prowess with 10 sacks and three forced fumbles.
The following season, he etched his name in NFL history by becoming the fifth player to reach the 20-sack milestone, highlighted by his record-breaking seven sacks in a single game.
Thomas consistently excelled throughout his career, recording double-digit sack totals seven times. His impressive career statistics include 126.5 sacks, ranking him 17th all-time and 41 forced fumbles.
Although the Kansas City Chiefs never reached the Super Bowl during Thomas's tenure, he received two First-Team All-Pro selections and earned Pro Bowl honours nine times.
Tragically, Thomas's life was cut short, depriving the football world of witnessing more of his incredible talent.
His remarkable achievements, including being posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, solidified his place among the greatest linebackers of all-time.
6. Junior Seau
He amassed 1478 tackles, 47 sacks and 31 takeaways with the San Diego Chargers
He earned six First-Team All-Pro selections and 12 Pro Bowl appearances
Posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015
Junior Seau's 20-season NFL career was marked by exceptional talent and unwavering dedication.
While he enjoyed his greatest years with the San Diego Chargers, where he amassed an impressive 1,478 tackles, 47 sacks and 31 takeaways from 1990 to 2002, Seau also made significant contributions during his stints with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.
Critics may have questioned his occasional positioning, but Seau's ability to track the ball and his fierce competitiveness was undeniable.
He thrived in one-on-one battles and displayed remarkable resilience, playing through injuries that both blessed him with a lengthy career and ultimately cursed him with a tragic passing.
As the face of the Chargers for over a decade, Seau earned six First-Team All-Pro selections and appeared in an impressive 12 Pro Bowls.
However, Seau's life took a tragic turn when he took his own life in 2012 at the age of 43.
His untimely death brought the issue of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) to the forefront of discussions surrounding player safety.
In recognition of his remarkable career, Seau was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
5. Dick Butkus
He played for nine seasons (1965-1973)
He was selected to the All-Pro team for eight consecutive years (1965-1972)
He earned a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Known by his formidable nicknames - The Animal, The Enforcer, The Maestro of Mayhem, The Robot of Destruction - Dick Butkus was a force to be reckoned with.
In his nine-season NFL tenure from 1965 to 1973, Butkus's accomplishments were staggering.
He was an eight-time Pro Bowler and earned the honour of being selected to the All-Pro team for eight consecutive years, from 1965 to 1972.
Notably, he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice, in 1969 and 1970.
Butkus's impact on the game extended beyond the stat sheet. His unparalleled mobility allowed him to single-handedly disrupt plays, making him the measuring stick for great linebackers, even half a century after his retirement.
Hailing from his hometown of Chicago, he was revered as a local hero. Despite his relatively short career, Butkus showcased his prowess with five First-Team All-Pro selections, 22 interceptions and 11 sacks.
His tenacity and skill earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Widely regarded as the meanest, fiercest and most intimidating linebacker in history, Butkus's legacy remains unparalleled.
His inclusion in the NFL's All-Decade Teams for the 1960s and 1970s is a testament to his enduring impact.
With his bone-crushing hits and unparalleled toughness, Dick Butkus stands among the greatest linebackers of all-time, forever defining his position in NFL history.
4. Mike Singletary
He played for 12 seasons (1981-1992)
He earned two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards (1985 and 1988)
Seven First-Team All-Pro selections and 10 Pro Bowl appearances
Mike Singletary, known as "Samurai Mike," was the heart and soul of the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears defence, widely regarded as one of the greatest in NFL history.
Singletary's impact extended far beyond that iconic season, as he established himself as one of the best linebackers of all-time.
In his 12-season NFL career from 1981 to 1992, Singletary amassed an impressive list of accolades.
He was a key contributor to the Bears' Super Bowl victory in 1985, and he earned two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, in 1985 and 1988.
With seven First-Team All-Pro selections and 10 Pro Bowl appearances, Singletary's dominance on the field was unquestionable.
His statistics speak volumes about his impact. Singletary recorded a remarkable 1,488 tackles, along with 12 fumble recoveries and seven interceptions.
His ferocious attitude towards ball carriers epitomised his relentless pursuit of excellence.
From the "Monsters of the Midway" era to his individual accomplishments, Singletary's impact on the game is undeniable.
3. Jack Lambert
He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1974
28 interceptions and 17 fumbles
He contributed to the Steelers’ four Super Bowl victories
Jack Lambert was the formidable force at the heart of the "Steel Curtain" defence during his 11-season career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Revered for his tenacity and toughness, Lambert played an instrumental role in the team's four Super Bowl victories.
His impact was immediate, winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1974 and celebrating a Super Bowl triumph in the same season.
Lambert's prowess as a linebacker was unparalleled, earning him the title of Defensive Player of the Year in 1976.
Throughout his career, he amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including six First-Team All-Pro selections and nine Pro Bowl appearances.
Beyond his reputation as a fearsome tackler, Lambert demonstrated his versatility by securing 28 interceptions and recovering 17 fumbles.
Notably, his eight recoveries in 1976 remain a record for linebackers. His unwavering intensity and trademark toothless grin made him an icon of toughness.
Lambert's impact extended beyond individual achievements. He played a vital role in the success of the Steelers' dominant defences of the 1970s, contributing to the team's four Super Bowl triumphs.
Jack Lambert's name may not be as familiar to modern fans, but his legacy as one of the greatest linebackers in history remains cemented.
2. Ray Lewis
He earned two Defensive Player of the Year awards
He won Super Bowl XXXV - and he was named MVP
Seven First-Team All-Pro selections and 13 Pro Bowl appearances
Ray Lewis, known for his signature pre-game dance, was a dynamic force and a true leader on the gridiron. Lewis achieved numerous milestones that set him apart from his peers.
He earned two Defensive Player of the Year awards and became the first linebacker in NFL history to achieve 40 sacks and 30 interceptions.
He was the heart and soul of the legendary Ravens' defence in 2000, a unit that allowed a mere 165 points and 970 rushing yards over the course of the season.
Lewis's impact extended beyond statistics. His ability to motivate teammates and elevate their game was evident during the Ravens' victorious Super Bowl XLVII run.
He also emerged triumphant in Super Bowl XXXV, where he was named Super Bowl MVP.
With seven First-Team All-Pro selections, 13 Pro Bowl appearances and three seasons leading the league in tackles, Lewis's dominance was unquestionable.
Off the field, Lewis overcame significant adversity, including a double-murder charge that threatened to derail his career before the 2000 season.
His consistency, passion and all-time records in solo tackles and combined tackles in a single season solidify his place among the greatest linebackers of all-time.
1. Lawrence Taylor
The second defensive player to be named the league’s MVP
Total of 132.5 sacks
He led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories
Lawrence Taylor (L.T.) redefined the linebacker position and set a standard of excellence that remains unmatched.
Throughout his 13-year career with the New York Giants, he established himself as not only the greatest linebacker but also the greatest defensive player in NFL history.
Taylor's impact was immediate, earning both Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honours in his debut season.
He went on to secure three Defensive Player of the Year awards, becoming the only player at the time to accomplish such a feat.
In 1986, he became just the second defensive player ever to be named the league's Most Valuable Player, thanks to a career-best of 20.5 sacks.
With a staggering total of 132.5 sacks, 10 Pro Bowl selections and eight All-Pro nods, Taylor's dominance on the field was unparalleled.
His disruptive presence forced opposing offences to revamp their blocking schemes, a testament to his unrivalled talent.
Off-field controversies may have marred his legacy, but on the field, Taylor's impact was undeniable. He led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories and forever changed the way the game is played.
His dominance influenced offensive strategies and defensive teachings, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Lawrence Taylor's physical prowess, unmatched skills and game-changing impact make him not only the greatest linebacker but also the greatest defensive player of all-time.
Have we missed anyone off our list? Tell us your favourite linebackers in the comments!
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