The Bears’ offseason moves prior to this season had consequences for years afterward as the pieces from Super Bowl XX’s team slowly began to leave or retire.
The first 1989 winds of change began to blow when the team left long-time veteran Super Bowl champion players Otis Wilson and Mike C. Richardson unprotected.
Al Davis' Los Angeles Raiders signed both players, but neither would make the club that year and would be forced to retire.
1988 had brought young offensive talent in receiver Wendell Davis and running back Brad Muster, and in 1989 it was thought that urgent help would be needed on defense, with the loss of Wilson, Richardson, and Harris.
Additional depth on the defensive line was needed as well, given that William Perry and Richard Dent had missed significant time in 1988 due to injury.
On draft day, the Bears selected cornerback Donnell Woolford 11th overall, then spent the 12th pick on Florida defensive end Trace Armstrong.
In Armstrong, Woolford, and John Roper, a linebacker selected with the second-round pick obtained from Miami, the Bears had their replacements for Wilson, Richardson and Harris.
Third-round busts were James Maness in '85, David Williams in '86, the pick traded for Doug Flutie in 1987, and Ralph Jarvis in 1988.
The San Francisco 49ers built their late-decade dynasty around middle-round picks like Tom Rathman, Charles Haley and John Taylor during those years, while the Bears failed to restock as the Super Bowl Team of 1985 aged.
Prior to traveling to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Vikings in December, the Bears stayed for three days at the University of Wisconsin–Madison to practice in their indoor facilities.
It was the defending AFC Champs versus the NFC runners-up, and the Bears endured 17-14, despite Tomczak throwing an interception on his first pass attempt of the season.
Defensive lineman Dan Hampton, playing in his 11th season, sacked Bengal quarterback Boomer Esiason twice and blocked a field goal attempt.
Asked to comment on fullback Brad Muster's fumble with 1:29 left in the game, Hampton said:If I had a knife, I would have stabbed him.The following week Chicago hosted the Minnesota Vikings, who had swept the Bears the previous season.