The 1973 Chicago Bears season was their 54th regular season completed in the National Football League. Unable to improve on their 4âÂÂ9âÂÂ1 record from 1972, the Bears failed to qualify for the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season, and instead went 3âÂÂ11 for their fifth consecutive losing season. Their .214 winning percentage was the second-worst in franchise history until 43 years later in 2016, when the team went 3âÂÂ13. This was the final season of Dick Butkus's career, as he was forced to retire due to a knee injury.