The 50-year-old's body was found Thursday in his Florida condo.
He is said to have shot himself in the chest but the Miami-Dade police department had not yet confirmed that Duerson committed suicide.
Duerson was a standout safety, played in four Pro-Bowls and helped lead the 1985 Bears to a Super Bowl Championship.
He was born in Muncie, Ind., and was a 1983 Notre Dame graduate.