Bukich played for the Bears in 1958-59 and from 1962-68. He served as Bill Wade's backup in 1963 and was second in the NFL in passing in '65. Bukich is the last Bear to post a passer rating of 100 or better in four consecutive games in a single season (1964). He led USC to a victory over Wisconsin in the 1953 Rose Bowl and was regarded for having one of the strongest arms in the league during his career.