By Robby Zschoche, PSO Director of Sports Content
Sep 20, 2022

Ray Lewis had an iconic TFL on 4th & 2 to seal Baltimore’s win over the Chargers exactly 13 years ago on September 20th, 2009, so it’s a great time to look at the top 5 greatest NFL Linebackers of all time with him topping the list.



The Linebacker spot has often been considered one of, if not the most important position on any football team’s defense because of the leadership role they often take on in addition to being relied upon to be one of the unit’s main playmakers. Linebackers usually are tasked with calling plays for the defense, interpreting offensive play calls, and making sure the entire squad is on the same page before the ball is snapped.

However, a Linebacker’s pre-snap job can often be overshadowed by their responsibilities during the play, where they must be capable of stopping the run, blitzing, and covering Running Backs and Tight Ends. LBs are expected to lead their teams in tackles, sprinting sideline-to-sideline to track down speedy ball carriers.

As the leaders of some of the greatest defenses of all time, having a great Linebacking core is a key to success for any aspiring defense. A majority of teams who have won Super Bowls primarily because of their ability to keep points off the board have been led by star Linebackers, making it one of the most important positions on the field.

This list is complete with players who led their units to major accomplishments and dominance, each having their own play style that they brought to the game. Despite these differences, all of these Linebackers shared an intensity, toughness, passion, and love for the game to go with intelligence that allowed them to shut down offenses for years. Honorable mention includes: Jack HamDick ButkusChuck Bednarik, Bobby Wagner

Here are the top 5 greatest NFL Linebackers of all time. Create your own rankings below! 


PSO Rankings

1
RAY LEWIS

RAY LEWIS’ FACTS:

– 13x Pro Bowl (Most by LB) | 10x All-Pro (T-most by LB)

– 2x Super Bowl Champ, 2001 SB MVP | 2x NFL DPOY

– Most career COMB (2,059) & SOLO (1,568) TKL ever

 

Ray Lewis‘ other-worldly toughness, leadership, and instincts combined with his elite talent produced one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Lewis forged an incredible career leading Baltimore’s fearsome defense on their way to two Super Bowl Championships.

2
JACK LAMBERT

JACK LAMBERT’S FACTS:

– 9x Pro Bowl | 6x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team

– 1976 NFL DPOY & FR (8) leader | 1974 NFL DROY

– 100th Anniversary Team | 1970s & 80s NFL All-Decade

 

As the original superstar Linebacker of the NFL, Jack Lambert‘s physical intensity personified the “Steel Curtain” defenses that helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls during the 1970s with him manning the middle.

3
MIKE SINGLETARY

MIKE SINGLETARY’S FACTS:

– 7x All-Pro 1st Team, 1990 2nd Team | 2x NFL DPOY

– 10x Pro Bowl (Bears record) | 1980s NFL All-Decade

– 1986 Super Bowl Champ | 1981 PFWA All-Rookie Team

 

Mike Singletary anchored the legendary Chicago Bears defenses of the 1980s that struck fear in opposing offenses perhaps more than any other defensive unit in NFL history. His hard-nosed approach to football was representative of the city of Chicago, endearing him to Bears fans forever.

4
DERRICK BROOKS

DERRICK BROOKS’ FACTS:

– 5x All-Pro 1st Team, 4x 2nd Team | #55 retired by Bucs

– 2000s All-Decade | NFL 100 All-Time Team | 11x Pro Bowl

– 3x NFL SOLO TKL Leader | 2002 DEF-TD (4) Leader

 

Derrick Brooks established himself as a Hall of Fame Linebacker by calling the shots for a Buccaneers defense that rivals the 2000s Ravens as one of the scariest in the 21st century thanks to his all-around domiannce.

5
JUNIOR SEAU

JUNIOR SEAU’S FACTS:

– 12x Pro Bowl | 6x All-Pro 1st Team, 3x 2nd Team

– 1994 NFL SOLO TKL (124) leader | 1990s NFL All-Decade

– Chargers Career COMB (1,480) & SOLO TKL (842) leader

 

Junior Seau is one of the Chargers’ greatest players in franchise history after leading their defense for 13 years. His rare athletic abilities and instincts were a lethal combo that allowed him to dominate offenses for over a decade.

My Rankings

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