CHICAGO BEARS ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL — The offseason of hype is behind us. Tonight begins a new era of football led by first-year Head Coach Ben Johnson, who will go about molding Caleb Williams into a quarterback who can (hopefully) lead this team out of the NFC North cellar and to the franchise’s first winning season since 2018.
How to Watch the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football
TV: ESPN/ABC-TV (Joe Davis, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver); ESPN2 (ManningCast), NFL Network*Streaming: NFL+ *, ChicagoBears.com, Chicago Bears AppRadio: ESPN 1000 AM (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Jason McKie); LATINO MIX 93.5 FM (Omar Ramos)
Chicago Bears (0-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (0-0)
Kickoff Time: 7:15 p.m. CTSite: Soldier Field; Chicago, ILReferee: Alan EckOdds: Bears +1.5, O/U 43.5 (via DraftKings)
Chicago Bears Projected Starters:
Offense
QB Caleb Williams RB D’Andre Swift WR D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze TE Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland LT Braxton Jones, LG Joe Thuney, C Drew Dalman, RG Jonah Jackson, RT Darnell WrightDefense
DE Montez Sweat, LDT Grady Jarrett, RDT Gervon Dexter Sr., DE Dayo Odeyingbo WLB Noah Sewell, MLB Tremaine Edmunds, SLB Ruben Hyppolite II CB Nahshon Wright, Nick McCloud, Tyrique Stevenson FS Kevin Byard, SS Jaquan BriskerSpecialists
Kicking game: Cairo Santos (kicker), Tory Taylor (punter, holder), Scott Daly (long snapper) Return game: Devin Duvernay (punt and kick returns)Inactives
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, cornerback Kyler Gordon, quarterback Case Keenum, running back Roschon Johnson, linebacker T.J. Edwards, offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie, defensive lineman Shemar Turner Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesMinnesota Vikings Projected Starters:
Offense
QB J.J. McCarthy RB Aaron Jones Sr. WR Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Jalen Nailor TE T.J. Hockenson LT Christian Darrisaw, LG Donovan Jackson, C Ryan Kelly, RG Will Fries, RT Brian O’NeillDefense
LDE Jonathan Allen, NT Jalen Redmond, RDE Javon Hargrave WLB Jonathan Greenard, LILB Blake Cashman, RILB Ivan Pace Jr., SLB Andrew Van Ginkel CB Isaiah Rodgers, Byron Murphy Jr., Tavierre Thomas FS Jay Ward, SS Joshua MetellusSpecialists
Kicking game: Will Reichard (kicker), Ryan Wright (punter, holder), Andrew DePaola (long snapper) Return game: Myles Price (punt and kick returns)Inactives
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw, safety Harrison Smith, quarterback Max Brosmer, running back Zavier Scott, center Joe Huber, defensive lineman Elijah Williams Chicago Bears defensive back Jonathan Owens (36) is called for pass interference as he intercepts a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn ImagesKeys to Victory and Important Players:
If the Bears can answer these three questions, they can win this game:
Can they block a Ben Johnson offense? The offense we saw while Johnson was calling plays for the Detroit Lions worked because that offensive line was loaded with talent that could block, which allowed the playmakers and scheme to shine. It would be unfair to ask for the 2025 Bears offensive line to do what the 2023 and 2024 Lions did. But after heavy investments via trades and free agency, this unit should be in a better position to give the quarterback and his targets a puncher’s chance.
Does Dennis Allen have a counter for if Kevin O’Connell makes J.J. McCarthy look like a real NFL quarterback? It feels like it gets overlooked that McCarthy is making his NFL regular-season debut. This should be a time for Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen to throw the kitchen sink at the University of Michigan product. The cat-and-mouse game between the Bears’ DC and the Vikings’ offensive play-caller is a game-within-the-game matchup worth following.
Who wins the Brian Flores-Ben Johnson battle? Even if the answer to question No. 1 is yes, this game will still come down to the head-to-head matchup between the Bears’ offensive playcaller and his Vikings defensive counterpart. For what it’s worth, Johnson had Flores’ number when the two were squaring off the last two seasons. But Johnson doesn’t get to bring the Detroit offense with him to Chicago, which is the type of thing that will level the playing field. In any case, this will be must-see TV.
My five most important players who aren’t Caleb Williams:
Montez Sweat, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, defensive end Jonah Jackson, right guard Colston Loveland, tight end Rome Odunze, wide receiverBears vs. Vikings – Soldier Field Weather Report
Location: Chicago, ILTemperature: 68 degreesWind: Southeast, 8 mph
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