I’m feeling positive about the Chicago Bears this season—a sentiment I haven’t expressed in a while. They’ve handled this offseason fairly well, albeit in a new way. That doesn’t guarantee they’ll make the playoffs or win the NFC North, though. The Bears need to progress gradually since they only won five games last year, meaning expectations should remain modest. Still, I believe they’ll improve their 2024 win total, but we shouldn’t get overly excited during Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach since both he and the team must adjust.
Here’s a week-by-week prediction of the Chicago Bears’ 2025 schedule:
Week 1: At home against the Vikings, Bears win 1-0. The Vikings’ new quarterback JJ McCarthy might start, and Chicago’s defense under Brian Flores might not yet be in full form.
Week 2: At Detroit Lions, Bears win 2-0. The Lions are adjusting with new coordinators, though star Aidan Hutchinson remains a threat.
Week 3: Versus Dallas Cowboys, Bears lose 2-1. Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott returns healthy, bolstered by new offensive weapons.
Week 4: Versus Las Vegas Raiders, Bears win 3-1. Raiders are still reorganizing post-offseason changes.
Week 5: At Washington Commanders, Bears lose 3-2. Washington has gained momentum and improved since last year’s iconic Hail Mary touchdown win.
Week 6: Versus New Orleans Saints, Bears win 4-2. Saints rely on new quarterbacks and have roster weaknesses.
Week 7: At Baltimore Ravens, Bears lose 4-3. Playing Lamar Jackson in Baltimore is always tough.
Week 8: At Cincinnati Bengals, Bears lose 4-4. Bengals remain strong despite offseason shuffles.
Week 10: Versus New York Giants, Bears win 5-4. Giants’ quarterback situation is uncertain by mid-season.
Week 11: At Minnesota Vikings, Bears lose 5-5. Splitting last season’s series would be a positive step for Chicago.
Week 12: Versus Pittsburgh Steelers, Bears win 6-5. Steelers’ defense is solid but vulnerable without a franchise quarterback.
Week 13: At Philadelphia Eagles, Bears lose 6-6. Eagles maintain a strong roster and don’t regress after last year’s success.
Week 14: At Green Bay Packers, Bears lose 6-7. Packers continue to be a tough divisional opponent.
Week 15: Versus Cleveland Browns, Bears win 7-7. Browns are in transition awaiting a new era post-Desshaun Watson’s uncertain future.
Week 16: Versus Green Bay Packers, Bears win 8-7. Bears redeem a past loss and close out the season strong with an undefeated Jordan Love on the opposing side.
Week 17: At San Francisco 49ers, Bears lose 8-8. 49ers remain a challenging opponent despite finishing fourth in the NFC West last year.
Week 18: Versus Detroit Lions, Bears lose 8-9. Playoff hopes hinge on a tough home game versus the Lions, who are strengthened.
Overall projected record: 8 wins and 9 losses.
Carmen Vitari is an NFL reporter for Fox Sports, previously with the Draft Network and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where she earned a Super Bowl title in 2020. You can follow her on Twitter @carmiev.
Fan Take: This outlook is crucial for NFL fans because it signals a potential turning point for the Bears under new leadership, blending hopeful progression with realistic expectations. It highlights how rebuilding teams impact the league’s competitive balance and keep fans engaged with evolving storylines each week.
