All-Time Bears QBs Ranked: McMahon #1, Wade #2

Rusty Lisch

#16 · Chicago Bears
Retired 1 Year In The NFL
🏆 National champion (1977)
Rusty's
HAIR
5.3
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Rusty Lisch or the Bears?

Rusty Lisch Legacy

HEYTC AI
Rusty Lisch was the guy you wanted losing—a fourth-round pick from Notre Dame who backed up Joe Montana and somehow became a punchline despite one genuinely unforgettable moment. In 1979, as a fifth-year senior, Lisch orchestrated a 336-yard masterclass against South Carolina, rallying the Irish from 17–3 down for an 18–17 victory that felt Montana-esque in its audacity. The NFL, however, had other plans: one touchdown pass in 115 attempts tells you everything about what followed. Lisch's legacy isn't about statistics—it's about that one shining afternoon when a backup proved he belonged, even if the rest of his career suggested otherwise.

Rusty Lisch Rating Breakdown

Season
Non-Factor
Fantasy
Non-Factor
Playoffs
Non-Factor
Overall
Cooked
1 year with the Bears

Rusty Lisch Career Stats via Wikipedia

547 Pass Yards
1 Touchdowns
11 INTs
0.0% Comp %
5.3 HAIR

Frequently Asked Questions About Rusty Lisch

How does Caleb Williams compare to Rusty Lisch?

Caleb Williams, the Bears' shiny new starter, towers over Rusty Lisch like a skyscraper next to a shed—Williams dazzles with arm talent and mobility, while Lisch's "legacy" is 547 yards, one TD, and 11 picks in five forgettable seasons, including that Ditka meltdown where Walter Payton took over at QB. Rusty set a low bar Rusty never cleared.

Is Rusty Lisch in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nope, Rusty Lisch isn't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame—no bronze bust in Canton for the guy who went 55-for-115 with a 25.1 rating and more picks than TDs. He's more infamous as one of the least effective starters ever, the anti-Montana from his Notre Dame days.

What is Rusty Lisch doing now in 2026?

No fresh intel on Rusty Lisch in 2026—he's stayed off the radar since hanging up his cleats after that 1984 Bears cameo. The Notre Dame alum with the golden dome dreams likely kicked back into private life, far from business spotlights or broadcast booths, just a whisper in NFL obscurity.

How would Rusty Lisch perform in today's NFL?

Rusty Lisch in today's pass-happy NFL? Modern rules with no-touch protections might buy him a few extra snaps, but his noodle arm and 47.8% completion rate scream third-stringer at best—think practice squad fodder, not a starter, even with RPOs forgiving his 11-int nightmare over 115 throws.

How does Rusty Lisch compare to Jim McMahon?

Rusty Lisch vs. Jim McMahon? Night and day for Bears QBs—Lisch's Bears starts clocked a grim 5.27 rating amid Ditka's rage, while McMahon's punk-rock flair hit 45.04, slinging Super Bowl sparks. Rusty was the emergency brake; Jim was the ignition.