The Chicago Bears picked McMahon in the initial round (fifth overall) of the 1982 NFL Draft. New head coach Mike Ditka made McMahon his first first-round choice. McMahon, thrilled to be “released” from what he considered a prohibitive culture at BYU, wandered into his first public event together with the Bears holding a cold beer in his hand. Ditka was unimpressed, as was Bears owner and creator George Halas. McMahon was to uncover the setting in Chicago nearly as challenging as that at Brigham Young, and he’d lock horns with Ditka, his coaches and teammates, and journalists regularly during his six years with all the Bears. McMahon immediately shown a natural ability to read defenses and an fit versatility that surprised many. McMahon also formed a claim for being the most effective rollout passer then. He clarified that training in his youth had instructed him to square his shoulders to the direction he wished to throw the football, and he was therefore in a position to perform passes with tight coils as well as a high amount of precision when running to either his left or his right. The Bears ended the strike-shortened season at 3–6, but due to an expanded playoff structure and conference-wide seeding the Bears missed a playoff spot by just one success. McMahon was named NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year, losing the league-wide honour to Marcus Allen.
$15 Million
