In recent seasons, NFL fans have grown accustomed to a Week 1 Monday Night Football doubleheader. This year, though, the spotlight belongs to a single marquee matchup — and it’s a heavyweight clash. J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings head to Soldier Field to square off against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears in a primetime NFC North showdown.
The division set the gold standard in 2024, with three teams racking up at least 11 victories and punching their ticket to the postseason. But with plenty of roster shakeups over the offseason, the balance of power in the North could look very different in 2025 — and last year's cellar-dweller has its eyes on making noise right out of the gate.
Fresh off their best record since 1998, a 14-3 campaign, the Vikings moved on from Sam Darnold in free agency and handed the keys to McCarthy, the former Michigan standout who guided the Wolverines to a national championship two years ago.
Chicago, meanwhile, endured a bumpy ride in Williams’ rookie season, limping to a 5-12 mark as the No. 1 overall pick learned on the fly. Now, under the bright lights of Monday night, both franchises get their first crack at setting the tone for a new year.
| Date | Monday, September 7, 2025 |
| Time | 8:15 pm ET / 7:15 pm CT/ 5:15 pm PT |
| Venue | Soldier Field (Chicago, Illinois) |
| TV Channel | ABC |
| Streaming | Fubo |
| Buy Tickets | Stubhub |
| Odds | Vikings -126 | Bears +108 |
Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings roster & injury news
Chicago Bears team news
The Chicago Bears made their splash of the offseason by landing Ben Johnson, the most sought-after coach on the market, with the expectation that he could unlock the full potential of rookie sensation Caleb Williams. Now, it’s time to turn that promise into results.
Williams endured a baptism of fire last year, going down a league-high and franchise-record 68 times. Some of those sacks came from holding onto the ball too long, but shaky protection played just as big a role. On the other side of the ball, the Vikings are banking on the return of star left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who is still working his way back from the torn ACL that ended his 2024 campaign in Week 8.
Chicago's biggest question mark revolves around cornerback Jaylon Johnson. The Bears' top cover man missed the entire training camp with a serious groin injury but returned to the practice field this week. His availability will hinge on how his body responds over the next few days. If he’s unable to suit up, Chicago's secondary could look thin, with Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson shouldering the load. That could force former Vikings practice squad member Nahshon Wright into meaningful snaps — a matchup Minnesota's offense would likely target early and often.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Offense | QB: Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum, Caleb Williams; RB: Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, D'Andre Swift; WR: Luther Burden III, Devin Duvernay, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Jahdae Walker, Olamide Zaccheaus; TE: Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, Durham Smythe; C: Ryan Bates, Drew Dalman; G: Theo Benedet, Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney; OT: Kiran Amegadjie, Braxton Jones, Luke Newman, Ozzy Trapilo, Darnell Wright |
| Defense | DE: Daniel Hardy, Grady Jarrett, Dayo Odeyingbo, Dominique Robinson, Montez Sweat; DT: Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter Sr., Shemar Turner, Chris Williams; LB: Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Ruben Hyppolite II, D'Marco Jackson, Noah Sewell; CB: Josh Blackwell, Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, Jaylon Jones, Nick McCloud, Tyrique Stevenson, Nahshon Wright; S: Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard III, Elijah Hicks, Jonathan Owens |
| Special Teams | PK: Cairo Santos; P: Tory Taylor; LS: Scott Daly |
Minnesota Vikings team news
The Vikings are monitoring Darrisaw's status closely, with Monday shaping up as a potential game-time call. Should he be ruled out, Justin Skule would be pressed into action, which would significantly weaken Minnesota's front. The health of veteran safety Harrison Smith is also uncertain, leaving another critical piece of the defense in doubt heading into kickoff.Can J.J. McCarthy rise to the occasion?
For the Vikings’ 22-year-old signal-caller, this isn’t just another game, it's the long-anticipated NFL debut he's been waiting on since last year’s meniscus injury kept him sidelined. And it won’t come on just any stage.
Under the national spotlight of Monday Night Football, McCarthy steps onto the field against the very team he idolized growing up in La Grange Park, Illinois. The stage is massive, the pressure even bigger, and all eyes will be on whether the rookie can keep his cool when the lights shine brightest.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Offense | QB: Max Brosmer, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz; RB: Ty Chandler, Aaron Jones Sr., Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott; WR: Jordan Addison, Tai Felton, Justin Jefferson, Jalen Nailor, Myles Price, Adam Thielen; TE: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Ben Yurosek; C: Ryan Kelly; G: Blake Brandel, Will Fries, Joe Huber, Donovan Jackson, Michael Jurgens; OT: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O'Neill, Walter Rouse, Justin Skule |
| Defense | DE: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Elijah Williams; DT: Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez; LB: Blake Cashman, Chaz Chambliss, Jonathan Greenard, Austin Keys, Kobe King, Ivan Pace Jr., Bo Richter, Dallas Turner, Andrew Van Ginkel, Eric Wilson; CB: Dwight McGlothern, Byron Murphy Jr., Jeff Okudah, Isaiah Rodgers; S: Theo Jackson, Joshua Metellus, Harrison Smith, Tavierre Thomas, Jay Ward |
| Special Teams | PK: Will Reichard; P: Ryan Wright; LS: Andrew DePaola |
Bears vs Vikings head-to-head record
Chicago came up empty-handed in both clashes with Minnesota last year and stumbled to a 1-5 mark within the division. The Vikings, meanwhile, fared better at 4-2, but a fast start in 2025 will be crucial if they want to keep stride with Detroit’s high-powered attack and a Green Bay squad that finished 11-6 before bolstering its defense with the blockbuster addition of Micah Parsons from Dallas.
Which channel is Bears vs Vikings game on?
The Chicago Bears vs the Minnesota Vikings game in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season will air live on ABC in the US. Streaming options are available on Fubo, which is offering a 7-day free-trial for new subscribers.
More details on where to watch the game in the United States, including streaming options, will be released soon, so keep an eye out for our dedicated coverage.
For fans outside the U.S. looking to stay plugged into the action,NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the ultimate ticket. It serves up more than 200 regular-season and playoff matchups, complete Super Bowl coverage, plus access to NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and plenty more to keep you locked in all year long.
How to buy Bears vs Vikings ticket
Tickets are already up for grabs on StubHub, with entry starting at $386. From there, prices climb through the tiers — $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000, and stretching all the way into the premium ranges of $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, and topping out at $10,406 for the best seats in the house.
Check the link below for the full breakdown of how to purchase tickets to NFL games.
READ MORE: NFL 2025 Tickets: Prices, deals, season tickets & membership information
Bears vs Vikings Fantasy Football
For the Vikings, rookie QB J.J. McCarthy checks in as a volatile QB18 with a 16.3-point projection — not the safest play, but his ceiling is intriguing in Kevin O’Connell's system. Aaron Jones looks like a strong RB16 option with production expected both on the ground and through the air, while Jordan Mason adds depth as a change-of-pace back.
Justin Jefferson remains a must-start WR2, though shadow coverage from Jaylon Johnson introduces some risk. With Jordan Addison suspended, veteran Adam Thielen should see an uptick in targets and makes sense as a WR3/flex plug-in. At tight end, T.J. Hockenson is a reliable TE7 option, steady as ever with volume.
On Chicago’s side, rookie QB Caleb Williams sits at QB22 and is a risky start against a stout Vikings defense. D’Andre Swift projects as RB23, offering flex value in Ben Johnson's offense that will prioritize keeping its quarterback upright. Wideouts DJ Moore and Rome Odunze both bring WR3/flex upside against Minnesota’s beatable secondary, while rookie TE Colston Loveland offers middling fantasy appeal.
Fantasy takeaway:
- Lock in Jefferson, Jones, and Hockenson as Minnesota’s core starters.
- Thielen is worth a flex gamble with his target share rising.
- Swift works as a steady RB3/flex on the Chicago side.
- Treat QBs with caution: McCarthy has upside, Williams carries risk.
- Moore and Odunze are sneaky flex plays for managers hunting upside.
- Minnesota’s D/ST is a top streaming play, while Chicago’s unit is a middling option at best.
Bears vs Vikings Game Predictions
The Chicago Bears spent the offseason shoring up their offensive line, and with Ben Johnson – the architect of Detroit’s dominant ground attack – now in the fold, the foundation for success is firmly in place. On the flip side, it’s hard to imagine Minnesota’s defense replicating the lofty standards it set in 2024.
According to ESPN's projections, the Bears hold a slight edge with a 52.5% chance of opening the season with a victory at Soldier Field, while the Vikings sit close behind at 47.1%.
Bears vs Vikings Odds
Spread
- Vikings -1.5 (-115) | Bears +1.5 (-105)
Moneyline
- Vikings -126 | Bears +108
Total
- OVER 44.5 (-104) | UNDER 44.5 (-118)
More NFL news and coverage
- Bears 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
- Vikings 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
- How to watch and live stream NFL football for free and without cable
- 2025 fantasy football rankings: Running back (RB) | Wide receiver (WR) | Tight end (TE) | Quarterback (QB)