A Chicago Bears fans' guide to Super Bowl LIX: What to know and rooting interests
Super Bowl XX MVP Richard Dent talks his favorite parts of the Super Bowl with Lou
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The Chicago Bears are not playing in the Super Bowl. It's not exactly breaking news, but it leaves a lingering question.
Such as: Who should Bears fans root for on Sunday?
There are plenty of connections to choose from, depending on what kind of fan you are.
If you're a Bears fan watching the Super Bowl this Sunday, here's a guide to the game with Bears fans in mind.
A Chicago Bears fans' guide to Super Bowl LIX
Need a former Bear or a different connection to root for? Take these names into consideration:
Former Bears in Super Bowl LIX
Khari Blasingame - Philadelphia Eagles full back
Hey now, there's a familiar face! Bears fans should remember Blasingame. He was on the Bears roster this past season. He suited up for two games before the team released him on Oct. 25. Safe to say Blasingame is content with that move. He migrated to Philly and will be on the sidelines for the Super Bowl. In all, Blasingame played 34 games in Chicago and started eight.
Mike Pennell - Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle
In the first year of the Matt Eberflus era, Pennell played in 17 games for the Bears and started two. He moved on to the Chiefs in 2023 and in on the cusp of winning his third Super Bowl with the team.
Clint Hurtt - Philadelphia Eagles defensive line coach
Hurtt is in charge of the Eagles' defensive line, which includes Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, but from 2015-2016 he was an assistant in Chicago as the Bears' outside linebackers coach.
Rod Wilson - Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach
Wilson was previously a special teams assistant and defensive assistant for the Chiefs before earning a promotion to outside linebackers coach this season. The former Bears' linebacker was selected in the seventh round of the 2005 draft by Chicago, and played four seasons for the Bears.
Matt Nagy - Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator
The former Bears' head coach is looking for his third-straight Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs, and his second as the team's offensive coordinator. While Kansas City has lacked in explosive plays under Nagy, the Chiefs make up for in ball control and ball security. Nagy got head coaching interviews this coaching cycle, but will remain in KC for another season as the team's offensive coordinator. Some cynical Bears fans can root for Nagy's offense to beat down Vic Fangio's defense.
Vic Fangio - Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator
Bears fans remember Fangio as the architect of the 2018 Bears defense that will go down as "the best that should have won a playoff game." Eddie Jackson, Kyle Fuller, Roquan Smith, Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, Danny Trevethan, Prince Amukamura and Adrian Amos had career years under Fangio in his final year in Chicago. Those were much better times. Some cynical Bears fans can root for Fangio's defense to shut down Matt Nagy's offense.
Dave Toub - Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator
Toub is gunning for his fourth Super Bowl ring in Kansas City. Bears fans can credit him for the memories that came with now-Hall of Fame return man Devin Hester. Under Toub, Hester became the feared return man and ran all the way to Canton. From 2004 to 2012, Toub ran the Bears' special teams unit.
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Illinois natives in Super Bowl LIX
Jake Elliott - Philadelphia Eagles kicker
The Eagles' kicker iced Philly's Super Bowl win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. The Lyons Township alum is also one of the best kickers in the league, having kicked in multiple Super Bowls.
Aaron Morehead - Philadelphia Eagles receivers coach
There are a few invisible strings tying Morehead to Illinois. He's a Deerfield native, and is an alum of the University of Illinois. His dad, Emery Morehead, was a tight end for the Bears in the 1980s and won Super Bowl XX. Aaron, however, won Super Bowl XLI as a receiver for the Colts, beating the Bears.
Trevor Keegan - Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman
Keegan is a Crystal Lake native, and graduated from Crystal Lake South High School alum. He's also trying to add a Super Bowl ring to his trophy case the year after winning a national championship at Michigan.
Local college ties in Super Bowl LIX
Drue Tranquill - Kansas City Chiefs linebacker
Tranquill is a Notre Dame alum who transitioned from safety at the college level to linebacker at the professional level. He's made a career out of earning his status as a reputable starter. Tranquill recorded 94 tackles this season starting at linebacker for the Chiefs.
Sydney Jones - Philadelphia Eagles safety
Jones was a standout safety for the Illini before the Eagles selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started six games for Philly in his rookie season, but has turned into a rotational player in his sophomore season.
Maybe this will sway your opinion?
- Both the Chiefs and Eagles have star-studded celebrities on either side. The Eagles are featured on acclaimed sitcoms "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" and "Abbott Elementary."
- Noted Eagles fans (According to USA Today): Will Smith, Bradley Cooper, Kevin Hart, Quinta Brunson, Tina Fey, Lil Uzi Vert, Miles Teller, Pink, Meek Mill, Keke Palmer, Questlove, Sylvester Stallone, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" stars Rob McElhenney and Danny DeVito, Kelly Ripa
- Noted Chiefs fans (According to USA Today): Brad Pitt, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Miranda Lambert, Heidi Gardner, Henry Cavill, Henry Winkler, Eric Stonestreet, Rob Riggle, Melissa Etheridge
- The last time the Chicago Bears faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs, it was Taylor Swift's debut at a Chiefs game to support her significant other, tight end Travis Kelce. The Chiefs also embarrassed the Bears 41-10 in front of Swift, Swifties and NFL on FOX's America's Game of the Week.
- The last time the Bears played the Eagles was in the 2022 season where Philly held off Justin Fields' Bears 25-20. The Bears picked off Jalen Hurts twice.
Watch the Super Bowl LIX live & free! Coming to you live from Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Tune in to pregame shows starting at 2 PM ET with the big game on at 6 PM ET. Watch on FOX 32 or stream live & free on Tubi. *Must be signed in to watch.