The Chicago Bears kick off their 2025-26 season tonight 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.

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.

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.

What's next: The game kicks off at 7:15pm. You can watch it on ESPN or locally on ABC 7.

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Tonight's game at Soldier Field will also feature new concessions.

Driving the news: Last year, the food and beverage program at Soldier Field was taken over by Levy, which also provides concessions at Wrigley Field, United Center and Rate Field.

• They've already made improvements by bringing in local chefs to create new items, while also alleviating long wait times.

Zoom in: Levy expanded food and beverage access on the west side of the stadium, which will improve the 300-level concourse with options like cheesesteaks and BBQ.

• Mr. Beef will be slinging sandwiches near section 134.

💭 Moyo's thought bubble: I really appreciated the full-circle food moments at the preview event that tied Chicago culture to the team. Whether it was nods to "The Bear" or partnering with former players, like the craft sausage "Suhey Andouille," topped with Matt Suhey's peppers.

• My favorite? "Izzy's Smokin' Loaded Mac" from Israel Idonije.

Check out more of this year's food specials

🚨 Anti-ICE protests resumed this weekend as President Trump invoked a "Chipocalypse Now." (Axios)

🧑‍🍳 Chicago restaurateurs Phil Stefani and Art Smith will operate the only restaurant at a Vatican-run retreat outside Rome. (Axios)

🚚 No, Chicago did not deploy salt trucks to stop ICE officers this weekend. But the city does routinely use them at protests. (Sun-Times)

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👋 Hi, it's Justin.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Chicago Bears' only Super Bowl victory.

State of play: The team's dominant performances and brash personalities helped anoint them as one of the best teams in NFL history.

• Players became local legends starring in national commercials, television shows, and, of course, music videos.

In honor of the 40th anniversary, we will use archival videos, photos and box scores to write mini-recaps of each of the exciting games from that storied season.

• Let's start with the first game played on Sept. 8, 1985.

Game 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bears started the season at Soldier Field with huge expectations after the prior season's playoff run.

Recap: The team started slow, falling behind 28-17 to Steve DeBerg and the lowly Bucs.

Yes, but: They rattled off 20 unanswered points to win 38-28.

Standout: Jim McMahon. He was throwing darts all over the field and throwing his body around, too.

• He scored four touchdowns, two passing and two running.

Play of the game: Cornerback Leslie Frazier's third-quarter pick-six changed the momentum.

• Shawn Gayle blocked a fourth-quarter punt that set up the decisive touchdown.

Non-football moments: Coach Ditka was sporting a short-sleeve dress shirt with a tie. This was before his hair was slicked back, and he instead opted for more of a curly perm.

• It was 91 degrees on the Soldier Field astroturf.

The bottom line: The Bears' defense turned the tide, but the punky QB surfed it to a win.

• The Bears are 1-0.

Next week: Patriots at Soldier Field.

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