ClutchPoints
Despite going just 5-12 in 2024, there is a lot for Chicago Bears fans to be excited about. With the NFL officially releasing the 2025 season schedule, predictions are fully underway for Ben Johnson’s first year with the Bears.
Johnson, the reigning AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year, was the ideal hire to guide 2023 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. Though still unproven, Johnson has made the right moves thus far in his first offseason as a head coach. He paired his offensive prowess by hiring Dennis Allen as his defensive coordinator. Despite quickly flaming out as a head coach, Allen has a long track record of success as a defensive leader.
In addition to their sideline adjustments, the Bears made several admirable roster moves. General manager Ryan Poles quickly addressed the team’s biggest need by trading for Pro Bowl offensive linemen Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. Chicago made further defensive splashes by signing veterans Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo.
The Bears added several intriguing pieces in the draft to cap off a stellar offseason. With all the right pieces, Chicago’s fate depends on Johnson putting them together on the field. With a challenging schedule, it will not come easily, but the Bears are one of the league’s biggest sleeper teams entering 2025.
The Bears get the pleasure of hosting J.J. McCarthy’s long-awaited NFL debut. McCarthy will develop a long and successful career, but facing a Dennis Allen-led defense that features the likes of Jarrett, Montez Sweat and Kyler Gordon is a tough opening act. Williams had one good and one bad game against the Vikings as a rookie, with the meeting at Soldier Field being one of his best games of the year. It might not be pretty, but he will do just enough to get past Brian Flores’ tricky defense.
Prediction: Bears win 21-10 (1-0)
The last time these teams met at Ford Field, the Bears nearly pulled off the upset, with Williams tossing three scores. The semi-rebuilding Lions get a tough opening week matchup against the Green Bay Packers, but are 5-1 against Chicago in the last three years. The Bears have not won their first road game of the season since 2020, which, coincidentally, came against Detroit. In his big homecoming, Johnson falls just short against his former mentor in a thrilling shootout.
Prediction: Lions win 35-31 (1-1)
The Bears return home for Week 3, where they take on the new and improved Cowboys squad. Historically, Dallas has had Chicago’s number, winning three of the last four matchups dating back to 2014. Three weeks should be more than enough time for Dak Prescott to settle into his new offensive arsenal led by CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, which will create a world of problems for Chicago’s unstable secondary. The Micah Parsons-led pass-rush will also be a massive early test for the Bears’ upgraded offensive...
