A game-by-game look at the Bears' 2025 schedule ...

Week 1 Mon., Sept, 8 7:15 p.m. vs. Vikings

Ben Johnson averaged 30 points a game against the Vikings as the Lions offensive coordinator, scoring 24, 34, 30, 30, 31 and 31 points in six games. (Plus 29 points as the Lions’ passing-game coordinator in 2021). 

Week 2 Sun., Sept. 14 Noon at Lions

A little early for Johnson to face his former team, but it likely will be out of the glare of prime time. The Lions will be adjusting to a new play-caller in offensive coordinator John Morton, who is not expecting to mess with the high-scoring offense he inherited. 

Week 3 Sun., Sept. 21 3:25 p.m. vs. Cowboys

A week after Johnson faces his former team, the Bears meet up with former head coach Matt Eberflus, who was hired as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Flus failed as a head coach, but has solid credentials as a coordinator and figures to be up for this one. 

Week 4 Sun., Sept. 28 3:25 p.m. at Raiders

First-year Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll with Chip Kelly as his offensive coordinator can be an instant hit or a recipe for disaster. Johnson’s Lions put up 42 points against Carroll’s defense last season. 

Week 5 Bye

Week 6 Mon., Oct. 13 7:15 p.m. at Commanders (7:15 p.m., MNF)

The last time the Bears faced the Commanders on the road after a bye week, it ended in disaster — an 18-15 loss at Northwest Stadium in 2024 on Jayden Daniels’ 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass on the final play of the game. You have to think coaching will make a difference here. 

Week 7 Sun., Oct. 19 Noon vs. Saints

A potential showdown between Caleb Williams and the quarterback he replaced at Oklahoma, Spencer Rattler, who was 0-6 as a starter last season. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen faces the team that fired him after Week 9 last season. 

Week 8 Sun., Oct. 26 Noon at Ravens

The Bears have never faced Lamar Jackson, who has beaten every team in the NFL except the two he’s never played — the Bears and Packers. 

Week 9 Sun., Nov. 2 Noon at Bengals

Trey Hendrickson faces his former teammates? Not likely. The Bears intercepted Joe Burrow three times in a cross-over practice at Halas Hall last August. It wouldn’t be surprising if he remembers that. 

Week 10 Sun., Nov. 9 Noon vs. NY Giants

This could be Russell Wilson’s last hurrah, if he doesn’t lose the job to rookie Jaxon Dart. Could be a rookie battle of No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter vs. Bears left tackle Ozzy Trapilo.

Week 11 Sun., Nov. 16 Noon at Vikings

Johnson’s offenses with the Lions averaged 28.8 points in NFC North rematches in his three seasons as offensive coordinator. 

Week 12 Sun., Nov. 23 Noon vs. Steelers

The Bears could be facing Aaron Rodgers for the first time since 2022 in this game. Steelers seem headed for a fall but always wind up in the playoffs, so who knows? 

Week 13 Fri., Nov. 28 2 p.m. at Eagles

The last time the Bears faced the defending Super Bowl champions, they lost to the Chiefs 41-10 at Arrowhead Stadium in 2023. Should be better equipped to handle the challenge this time. 

Week 14 Sun., Dec. 7 Noon at Packers

“I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year” was a mike-drop moment at Ben Johnson’s introductory press conference, but could come back to haunt him here. LaFleur doesn’t seem like the vindictive type, but his hearing is excellent. 

Week 15 Sun., Dec. 14 Noon vs. Browns

The possibilities of the Browns quarterback in this game are bizarre — 40-year-old Joe Flacco, former first-rounder Kenny Pickett, third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel, or the people’s choice, fifth-round rookie Shadeur Sanders. 

Week 16 Sat., Dec. 20 vs Packers

Matt LaFleur probably enjoys beating the Bears as much as Ben Johnson enjoyed beating Mat LaFleur — he's 11-1 against them overall, 6-0 at Soldier Field. This rivalry could be red-hot —and real — by this game.

Week 17 Sun., Dec. 28 7:20 p.m. at 49ers (SNF)

It’s actually possible that the Bears could look a lot like the 49ers at this point of the 2025 season, especially if quarterback Caleb Williams learns well and tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden are as good as advertised. Or not. 

Week 18 Sat/Sun., Jan. 3-4 TBD vs. Lions

The second rematch between Johnson and former boss Dan Campbell, but the key factor is whether this game is flexed into a prime slot (Sunday night or Saturday) in the. Week 18 schedule.