Chicago Bears 2025 Season Preview: A Fan's Reluctant Predictions Amid Lingering Heartbreak

As a die-hard Bears fan, I've been through the wringer more times than I can count. Last year's 5-12 disaster, capped by the midseason firing of Matt Eberflus and a limp finish under interim coach Thomas Brown, left us all questioning if the franchise curse is real. But here we are in 2025, with Ben Johnson at the helm—the offensive wizard who turned the Lions into a scoring machine—and Caleb Williams entering his second year with a revamped supporting cast. We've overhauled the interior O-line with studs like Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman to protect our young QB, added defensive firepower in Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, and drafted promising rookies like tight end Colston Loveland and wideout Luther Burden III to complement DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. On paper, this team looks ready to climb out of the NFC North basement and maybe even sniff the playoffs.

Yet, hope in Chicago often feels like a setup for disappointment. The NFC North is stacked—the Lions, Packers, and Vikings all made the playoffs last year—and our schedule is the second-toughest in the league based on 2024 win percentages. We're facing the brutal AFC North and NFC East, plus road trips to powerhouses like Philly and San Fran. Johnson's scheme could unlock Williams' potential, but implementing a new offense takes time, and our defense still has holes at edge rusher and in the secondary (especially with injury concerns). I'm predicting game by game below, leaning on realism over blind optimism. Spoiler: It ends in familiar frustration at 8-9, missing the playoffs yet again. Prove me wrong, Bears—I'd love nothing more.

***All times Eastern Time (ET). Records cumulative.

Week 1: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Mon, Sep 8, 8:15 PM

Kicking off on Monday Night Football at Soldier Field feels like a cruel joke. The Vikings, led by a healthy Justin Jefferson and a defense that ranked top-10 in points allowed last year, are no slouch. Williams might flash some second-year growth, connecting with Odunze for a couple of big plays, but our offense starts rusty under Johnson's new system. The D gets gashed by Aaron Jones (or whoever's toting the rock for them), and Sam Darnold (assuming he's still starting) exploits our secondary. Primetime embarrassment ensues: Vikings 31-17. (0-1)

Week 2: at Detroit Lions, Sun, Sep 14, 1:00 PM

Nothing like a divisional road trip to Ford Field to shake off the opener blues. The Lions are defending NFC North champs, with Jared Goff slinging it to Amon-Ra St. Brown and a run game that chews clock. But Johnson knows this team inside out from his time as their OC—he'll scheme up ways to exploit their vulnerabilities, like pressuring Goff into mistakes. Williams bounces back with a gritty performance, leaning on the improved O-line for better protection. Our defense forces a key turnover, and we steal a nail-biter: Bears 24-20. (1-1)

Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sun, Sep 21, 4:25 PM

Back home against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys, who boast a high-powered offense and Micah Parsons wreaking havoc. Our D-line upgrades (hello, Jarrett and Sweat) might slow Ezekiel Elliott, but Prescott carves us up with CeeDee Lamb. Williams struggles against Dallas' secondary, and penalties kill drives—classic Bears self-sabotage. It's a shootout we can't keep up with: Cowboys 38-20. (1-2)

Week 4: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sun, Sep 28, 4:25 PM

Heading to Vegas, where the Raiders are rebuilding under new coach Pete Carroll but still have threats like Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby. I'm attending this one, so cosmic forces better align for a W! Our run game gets going with D'Andre Swift (if healthy), and Williams finds Burden for his first NFL TD. It's ugly and low-scoring, but we grind it out: Bears 20-17. (2-2)

Week 5: Bye Week

Perfect timing for a reset. Johnson uses the extra time to fine-tune the offense, get the rookies up to speed, and address defensive inconsistencies. Rest up, boys—we'll need it. (2-2)

Week 6: at Washington Commanders, Mon, Oct 13, 8:15 PM

Last year's Hail Mary loss to the Commanders derailed our season, haunting us like a bad dream. Jayden Daniels is a dual-threat nightmare, but our defense has beefed up to contain mobile QBs. Williams seeks revenge in primetime, airing it out to Moore and Odunze for chunk plays. We dominate the trenches and cruise: Bears 27-13. (3-2)

Week 7: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sun, Oct 19, 1:00 PM

Coming off a short week, we host the Saints, who are starting rookie QB Tyler Shough after Derek Carr's retirement. Their defense is sneaky good, but our home crowd energizes a low-scoring slog. Fatigue shows—missed assignments on D, conservative play-calling from Johnson. We fall short: Saints 17-13. (3-3)

Week 8: at Baltimore Ravens, Sun, Oct 26, 1:00 PM

The Ravens are terrifying with Lamar Jackson's MVP-level play and a stout front seven. Our O-line holds up okay, but Jackson evades pressure and torches us on the ground. Williams throws a pick-six trying to force it, and it's a blowout from the jump: Ravens 38-20. (3-4)

Week 9: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sun, Nov 2, 1:00 PM

Back-to-back AFC North road games? Brutal. Joe Burrow and the Bengals have weapons galore, but their O-line is suspect—perfect for Sweat and Odeyingbo to feast. Williams outduels Burrow in a high-scoring affair, hitting Loveland for a game-winner. We snap the skid: Bears 27-24. (4-4)

Week 10: vs. New York Giants, Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM

Neither team screams contender—the Giants are middling with Daniel Jones (or whoever). I'm at this one too, so Bears magic activates! Our defense smothers their run game, and Williams spreads the wealth. Close, but we pull away: Bears 24-20. (5-4)

Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings, Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 PM

Rematch in the cold of U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings' home advantage is real, but we've got momentum. Johnson dials up creative plays, and our secondary steps up against Jefferson. Williams' mobility shines in a thriller: Bears 27-24. (6-4)

Week 12: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Sun, Nov 23, 1:00 PM

Ah, sweet revenge against Aaron Rodgers, who jumped to the Steelers this offseason for one last ride. After years of him owning us in Green Bay, we finally flip the script. Our D-line overwhelms their aging protection, sacking Rodgers multiple times. Williams balls out: Bears 31-17. (7-4)

Week 13: at Philadelphia Eagles, Fri, Nov 28, 3:00 PM

Black Friday in Philly against Saquon Barkley and a loaded Eagles squad. Their trenches dominate, and Jalen Hurts runs wild. It's a reality check—our hot streak ends in humiliation: Eagles 45-20. (7-5)

Week 14: at Green Bay Packers, Sun, Dec 7, 1:00 PM

Lambeau in December? Nightmare fuel. The Packers exploit our shock from Philly, with Jordan Love picking apart our secondary. We compete early but fade: Packers 27-20. (7-6)

Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 PM

The Browns are a mess—Deshaun Watson drama, injuries everywhere. We desperately need this W. Our run defense stones Nick Chubb, and Williams connects deep. Tight, but we hold on: Bears 24-21. (8-6)

Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers, Sat, Dec 20, 1:00 PM

Hosting the Pack three weeks later, but rivalry magic doesn't strike twice. Love outplays Williams, and their D stifles our weapons. Heartbreaker: Packers 30-24. (8-7)

Week 17: at San Francisco 49ers, Sun, Dec 28, 8:20 PM

Primetime on the road against the Niners' juggernaut. Brock Purdy dissects us, and their run game wears us down. We fight for playoff life and eke out a gritty upset: Bears 21-17. (9-7) Wait, hold up—revising my initial gut. No, stick to pessimism: We battle but fall short in a close one, 24-20 Niners. (8-8) Damn, that optimism crept in.

Week 18: vs. Detroit Lions, Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 1:00 PM

Playoff hopes on the line at home. The Lions, gunning for the division, smell blood. Goff torches us, and our offense stalls in the red zone. Choke city: Lions 33-17. (8-9)

Another 8-9 finish, out of the playoffs, echoing the pain of seasons past. Johnson's first year shows flashes—Caleb throws for over 4,000 yards, the D improves in sacks—but inconsistencies and a brutal schedule doom us. Experts predict anywhere from 6-11 to 10-7, but as Bears fans, we know better than to buy the hype. Still, there's real foundation here for 2026. Bear down, Chicago—maybe next year breaks the cycle.