The Chicago Bears’ promising 2025 season opener crumbled familiarly as new head coach Ben Johnson witnessed a devastating fourth-quarter collapse against Minnesota. Despite leading for three quarters behind Caleb Williams’ improved play, tactical errors and defensive breakdowns allowed J.J. McCarthy to orchestrate a stunning comeback victory in his NFL debut.
Bears Game: News, Updates & Analysis
The Chicago Bears’ 2025 season opener against the Minnesota Vikings showcased both promise and familiar disappointment in a thrilling 27-24 defeat on Monday Night Football at Soldier Field. Despite leading for most of the game, the Bears suffered another late-game collapse that highlighted persistent issues under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Game Summary and Key Moments
The Bears entered their season opener with high expectations under Johnson’s leadership, facing their NFC North rivals in a nationally televised matchup. Chicago controlled the tempo for three quarters, building a comfortable lead behind quarterback Caleb Williams’ improved performance and a dominant defensive display.
Williams started the game flawlessly, completing his first 10 passes whilst demonstrating the rhythm-based offense that Johnson prefers. The young quarterback showcased his dual-threat ability with a 9-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter, marking his first career rushing score. By halftime, Williams had compiled 112 passing yards and 32 rushing yards, showing marked improvement from his disappointing rookie campaign.
The Bears’ defence dominated early proceedings, effectively shutting down Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy in his NFL debut. McCarthy struggled significantly through three quarters, completing just 5 of 8 passes for 45 yards whilst facing constant pressure from Chicago’s defensive front.
The Fourth Quarter Collapse
However, the narrative shifted dramatically in the final period, as the Bears witnessed another crushing late-game meltdown. McCarthy orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, accounting for three fourth-quarter touchdowns that completely altered the contest’s trajectory.
The Vikings’ comeback began when McCarthy connected with Justin Jefferson for a 13-yard touchdown, followed by a crucial two-point conversion attempt that failed. Minnesota then needed just three plays to seize the lead, with McCarthy throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Jones. The successful conversion pass to Adam Thielen put the Vikings ahead 20-17 with 9:46 remaining.
McCarthy sealed the victory with a 14-yard rushing touchdown with 2:53 left on the clock, capping off one of the most impressive rookie debut comebacks in recent memory. Despite Williams’ late touchdown pass to Rome Odunze with two minutes remaining, the Bears couldn’t complete their own comeback.
Critical Coaching Errors
The defeat highlighted concerning tactical mistakes that echoed the previous regime’s failures. Johnson made a crucial error regarding clock management after Chicago’s late touchdown. Rather than kicking the ball out of bounds to preserve the two-minute warning, the Bears allowed Minnesota to return the kickoff, consuming valuable time and preventing Chicago from utilising the automatic timeout.
This mistake left the Bears with just five seconds remaining after forcing a three-and-out, allowing only one final desperation play instead of a potential game-winning drive with nearly a minute left.
Player Performances and Statistics
Chicago Bears:
- Caleb Williams: 21/35 passing, 210 yards, 1 TD passing, 1 TD rushing (58 yards on 6 carries)
- D’Andre Swift: 17 carries, 53 yards (3.1 average)
- Rome Odunze: Key receiving target with crucial late touchdown
- Defence: Dominated for three quarters before allowing 21 fourth-quarter points
Minnesota Vikings:
- J.J. McCarthy: 13/20 passing, 143 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
- Aaron Jones: 3 catches, 44 yards, 1 TD
- Justin Jefferson: 4 catches, 44 yards, 1 TD
- Jordan Mason: 15 carries, 68 yards
Season Implications and Analysis
This defeat represents a concerning start for the Bears under Johnson’s leadership, particularly given the manner of the collapse. The team’s inability to close out games remains a persistent problem that has plagued the franchise for multiple seasons.
The Bears showed positive signs in their offensive execution and Williams’ development, but pre-snap penalties and clock management issues continued to undermine their efforts. Johnson acknowledged post-game that fundamental problems from training camp had resurfaced at crucial moments.
Looking ahead, Chicago faces an immediate challenge in Week 2 with a road trip to face the Detroit Lions, followed by a home clash against the Dallas Cowboys. The team’s ability to bounce back from this disappointment will provide early indicators of Johnson’s capacity to instil the mental toughness needed for late-game situations.
The loss also reinforced the competitive balance within the NFC North, with the Vikings demonstrating their potential despite questions surrounding McCarthy’s readiness. For Chicago, the focus shifts to correcting the tactical and mental errors that continue to cost them winnable games.
