The Minnesota Vikings kick off the 2025 season with a trip to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears. It’s the first time the NFC North rivals have played each other in the season opener since 2002.
Last year, the Vikings swept the season series, although they let an 11-point lead evaporate late at Soldier Field before winning in overtime. However, despite taking place nine months after their last matchup, both teams appear drastically different at key positions.
Here are three things to know ahead of the Vikings’ Week 1 matchup with the Bears.
3 Things to know heading into Vikings-Bears in Week 1
Debuts on each side add uncertainty
J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, is making his NFL debut as the Vikings’ quarterback. He takes over for Sam Darnold, who led the Vikings to a 14-3 record last year before signing a three-year, $100 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
On the other side, Ben Johnson is making his debut as Bears head coach. He spent the past three seasons as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. Chicago is hoping to unleash Caleb Williams in a quarterback-friendly system.
But both teams have questions surrounding their newcomers. Can McCarthy be trusted with a heavy workload in his first game? Does Johnson have the pieces to run the offense he wants to run?
Usually, division rivals know each other really well. This matchup is unusual due to the changes at the top.
Receiver help is on the way
After a slew of injuries and the looming suspension of Jordan Addison, the Vikings traded for Adam Thielen, who spent the first ten seasons of his career in Minnesota. There was concern that Jalen Nailor, who suffered a hand injury in joint practices last month, may not be healthy for the beginning of the season.
But ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday that there is optimism that Nailor will be healthy and ready to go for Week 1. If he plays, McCarthy will have most of his offensive weapons at his disposal. Addison’s absence still hurts, but the receiver situation isn’t as dire as it was two weeks ago.
The #Vikings are optimistic about wide receiver Jalen Nailor (hand) playing Week 1 vs. Chicago barring a setback, per sources. Minnesota envisions a key role for Nailor, especially with Jordan Addison out via suspension.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 31, 2025
The Vikings have won the last five meetings at Soldier Field
This may not be that surprising to some, considering the Bears have only made the playoffs once since the 2018 season. But Soldier Field has long been a house of horrors for the Vikings. Minnesota only won once there from 2001-2014, and then only twice from 2015-19.
But that doesn’t mean the games have been any less ugly. The Vikings won two low-scoring matchups on Monday Night Football in 2020 and 2021, and then won another close game in 2023. Last year, Minnesota blew an 11-point lead in the final 22 seconds of regulation before finally securing the overtime victory.
It’s a stadium that is always tough for the Vikings, regardless of how well they perform. Escaping with a win may not be sexy, but it may be all that is required for McCarthy and the Vikings.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 3 Things to know heading into Vikings-Bears in Week 1