An NFC North rivalry closes out Week 1 on Monday Night Football when the Minnesota Vikings visit the Chicago Bears. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s first regular-season showing will be under the bright lights at home as he begins what Chicago fans hope is a resurrection of this franchise. The Vikings have dominated this matchup in recent years, winning seven of the last eight meetings.
Minnesota enters the 2025 season coming off a 14-3 campaign last year and a wild-card round elimination with quarterback Sam Darnold at the helm. The Vikings have a new quarterback running the show, with J.J. McCarthy set to finally make his regular-season debut after missing all of his rookie year with a knee injury. Vikings fans are eager to see how dynamic the tandem of McCarthy and Justin Jefferson can be. Add T.J. Hockenson, the returning Adam Thielen and Jordan Addison (after serving a three-game suspension) to that equation, and this could be one of the most explosive passing attacks in the NFL.
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Johnson taking over as coach of the Bears is a bright spot for Chicago, and the anticipation will finally come to a head as the world will get to see how Caleb Williams looks in year two under the new coach’s guidance. Also during the offseason, Chicago signed former Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to play opposite Montez Sweat on the defensive line, and beefed up the O-line by acquiring former Chiefs All-Pro guard Joe Thuney via trade.
How to watch Vikings vs. Bears
Date: Monday, September 8
Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Soldier Field | Chicago, Illinois
TV channel: ESPN
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more from the Bears and Vikings’ Week 1 Monday Night Football matchup: