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The Chicago Bears jumped out to an early lead in their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. The Ben Johnson era got underway as Caleb Williams scored the first rushing touchdown of his career. Chicago appeared to be in control of the game with a 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter. And then it all fell apart.
Led by J.J. McCarthy in his first NFL start, the Vikings came storming back with 21 fourth-quarter points. Williams added his first passing touchdown in Johnson’s offense. But the Vikings stole the show as McCarthy threw for two scores and ran for a third, leaving Bears fans devastated.
Things looked bleak for McCarthy early on. Dennis Allen’s defense confused him. Chicago kept him out of the end zone through three quarters. And the Bears got a pick-six, as former Viking Nahshon Wright stepped in front of McCarthy’s 3rd & 8 sideline pass and returned it 74 yards for the touchdown.
But the Vikings made the necessary in-game adjustments. And Minnesota took over in the fourth quarter. McCarthy pulled off a remarkable feat, becoming the first quarterback to win a debut after trailing by 10 or more points since Steve Young in 1985.
The Bears were missing key defensive backs for the Week 1 clash. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon were both ruled out due to injuries. But McCarthy’s first pro game was still incredible. He’s the only QB in NFL history to score three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a debut.
McCarthy finished with 143 passing yards, three total scores and one interception. Meanwhile, Williams had 210 passing yards and a touchdown while adding 58 yards on the ground and another score.
The brutal collapse had Bears fans venting on social media.
Bearsszn commented
“Ben Johnson comes to Chicago and we get a Matt Eberflus 4th quarter collapse special again when will it end for us Bears fans”
JPA noted:
“The Bears are getting boo’d out of their own stadium after blowing a 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter.”
James Dean added:
“Tonight I watch JJ McCarthy develop more as a QB in one game than Caleb Williams did in 18 months”
Marty Mush wrote:
“People being surprised Caleb Williams isn’t accurate was pretty dumb”
Chicago Bears fans deleting everything they posted during the first half pic.twitter.com/5kebNPfzwK
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) September 9, 2025
vikings realized they were playing the bears pic.twitter.com/sy78JfCMtS
— 𝓩𝓪𝔂 (@playoff_zay) September 9, 2025
Same story. Every. Season. pic.twitter.com/k7pGAxHEZk
— BearsMuse (@ChiBearsMuse) September 9, 2025
The post Bears fans in shambles after meltdown vs. JJ McCarthy, Vikings appeared first on ClutchPoints.
