Bears host Vikings in Monday night primetime with Williams vs McCarthy

The Chicago Bears will open their 2025 season Monday night at Soldier Field, hosting the Minnesota Vikings in a primetime NFC North showdown that will test new Bears head coach Ben Johnson and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams against a Vikings squad starting rookie J.J. McCarthy. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. Eastern and the game will be carried on ABC and ESPN, with streaming options available for national audiences.

The matchup pits two high-profile offseason storylines against one another. Johnson, hired away from Detroit to jump-start Chicago's offense, has spoken publicly of patience and progress. "We're going to grow together," he said this week, adding that the offense and Williams will take "some bumpy steps along the way" but that he feels "really good about where he's at right now." Williams has returned the confidence, saying he trusts Johnson's play calling and leadership.

Minnesota arrives with its own questions. McCarthy is set for his first NFL start and will do so without suspended receiver Jordan Addison and behind a line that has been reworked in the offseason, with several additions recovering from significant injuries. Oddsmakers entered the game with Minnesota...