Bears vs. Vikings on "MNF": Ben Johnson era begins in Chicago
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Quarterback Caleb Williams. Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
The Chicago Bears kick off their 2025-26 season Monday night at Soldier Field against the Minnesota Vikings with a new coach and renewed optimism that last year was just a fluke.
Why it matters: Chicago sports fans are starved for a winning football team since the organization began a wobbly rebuild in 2022.
The latest: The Bears won the offseason (again) by snagging one of the best offensive coaches in football to pair with last year's No. 1 pick, quarterback Caleb Williams. Fans are hoping Ben Johnson uses his high-octane, high-scoring playbook to help the Bears break their QB curse.
Who is new since we last saw this team? Johnson and his coaching staff, former Chiefs Pro Bowler Joe Thuney, former Falcons center Drew Dalman and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, plus new rookies like tight end Colston Loveland.
Who's out? Tackle Teven Jenkins, receiver Keenan Allen and owner Virginia McCaskey, who passed away in February.
State of play: While the Bears added some key players to their upgraded offensive and defensive lines, the playmakers are pretty much all the same.
- Williams starts his second year under center, hoping to grow from an alarming rookie season where he took a franchise-record 68 sacks.
- D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and D'Andre Swift return.
The defense brings back veterans Montez Sweat, Jaylon Johnson and T.J. Edwards.
Between the lines: The Bears didn't lose in the preseason, but the starters hardly played.
- The last preseason tune-up against the Kansas City Chiefs was concerning, as the team's starters were bullied on both sides of the ball.
- In short, it looked a lot like the old Bears.
The intrigue: Yet, there is something already brewing with Ben Johnson that hasn't been seen on the Soldier Field sidelines in a while. He's feisty, and he loves rivalries.
- He's already picked fights with Packers coach Matt LaFleur, while tickets for his return to Detroit next week are among the highest priced of the entire season.
Reality check: Wins might be hard to come by with a difficult schedule featuring games against the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders, plus two each against division rivals in Detroit, Green Bay and Minnesota.
The bottom line: Ben Johnson's intensity could help bring the energy needed to propel the Bears to a breakout season and a playoff berth.
- Or we could see the same old Bears.