The Chicago Bears are heading into the 2025 NFL season with more anticipation and intrigue than they’ve seen in years. While the full schedule for all 32 teams will officially be revealed by the NFL at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, two marquee games on the Bears’ slate have already been announced—and both carry significant implications. Most notably, Chicago is scheduled to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday, November 28, in a nationally televised matchup that will air exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. That game will kick off at 3 p.m. ET and is expected to be one of the premier matchups of the regular season.
The Black Friday game is quickly becoming a tradition for the NFL, and this year’s edition will put rookie-turned-sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams on a massive stage in one of the most hostile environments in the league. Facing the reigning champs in Philadelphia will not only test the Bears’ rebuilt offensive line and their new-look coaching staff, but it will also serve as a barometer for how far this team has come—and how far it still has to go. Philadelphia boasts one of the deepest and most balanced rosters in football, and for the Bears, it’s a chance to prove they belong in the playoff conversation after a tumultuous 2024 campaign.
In addition to that high-profile contest, the NFL has announced another major matchup: the latest chapter in the storied Bears-Packers rivalry. The league’s longest-running rivalry will renew on Saturday, December 20, at Soldier Field in Week 16. The game will air on Fox, adding to the primetime atmosphere of what has always been one of the most emotionally charged games on the calendar for both franchises. While the Packers have had the upper hand in recent years, there is hope in Chicago that the tides are starting to turn, especially with the arrival of new head coach Ben Johnson and the pieces the front office has put in place to surround Caleb Williams with more stability and talent.
The Bears’ 2024 season was, by all accounts, a disappointing one. Chicago finished 5-12, a record that led to sweeping changes across the organization. The team parted ways with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and made a historic move by firing head coach Matt Eberflus midseason—something that had never been done in the franchise’s long and proud history. That decision came after a string of demoralizing losses and mounting frustration from ownership and fans alike, who had hoped the team would take a leap forward in Caleb Williams’ first year under center.
Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to find consistency behind a porous offensive line and amid the chaos of an unstable coaching staff. Despite his physical tools and college accolades, the transition to the NFL proved more difficult than anticipated. However, the Bears believe the foundation is now in place for him to succeed. In the offseason, Chicago made several bold moves to shore up its offensive line, acquiring five new starters including Pro Bowlers Grady Jarrett and Joe Thuney. These additions are expected to provide Williams with the time and protection he needs to reach his potential and take full command of the offense.
At the center of Chicago’s rebuilding effort is Ben Johnson, one of the most sought-after coaching candidates this past offseason. Johnson, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, was widely credited with helping turn that franchise into an offensive juggernaut. Known for his innovative play design, aggressive play-calling, and ability to develop quarterbacks, Johnson brings a fresh perspective and a new energy to Halas Hall. Bears fans are hopeful that he will be the coach who finally ends the franchise’s seemingly endless search for stability and sustained success.
With the schedule release just hours away, we already know the Bears will face a daunting lineup of opponents both at home and on the road. In alphabetical order, the Bears’ 2025 home and away opponents include a mix of AFC North, NFC East, and familiar NFC North foes. The full list includes games against the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions (twice), Green Bay Packers (twice), Minnesota Vikings (twice), Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders.
That slate features no shortage of elite quarterbacks and championship-caliber defenses. From Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow to Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts, Williams will be tested week in and week out by some of the best the league has to offer. Defensively, matchups against teams like the 49ers and Ravens will challenge the Bears’ rebuilt offensive line and test the limits of their protection schemes. But that’s the reality of the NFL—there are no easy games, and for a team trying to find its footing, every week is an opportunity to measure growth.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the 2025 season for Bears fans is the potential for a legitimate turnaround. With a young quarterback entering Year 2, a respected offensive mind leading the charge from the sideline, and a fortified line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, there’s reason to believe the Bears can make a leap. Last season’s record may not reflect it, but several of the Bears’ losses were decided in the final minutes, and with better coaching and execution, those narrow defeats could become wins.
Moreover, the NFC North remains a division in flux. While the Lions have surged to the top in recent years and the Packers continue to develop their young quarterback, no team in the division is untouchable. The Vikings, in particular, are undergoing a retooling process of their own. If Johnson can find early success and the defense can play to its potential, the Bears could find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt come December. That December 20 game against Green Bay could be more than just a rivalry—it might have postseason implications.
For now, though, all eyes are on the upcoming full schedule release. Fans are eager to see when and where the rest of the games fall, what kind of travel schedule the team will face, and how the early portion of the season might set the tone. In a league defined by parity and quick turnarounds, the Bears have positioned themselves to potentially be one of 2025’s surprise teams. Of course, it all hinges on development. Caleb Williams must take the next step. The offensive line must stay healthy. The defense, led by rising stars and veteran anchors alike, must find consistency.
Even with all of those questions still lingering, the mere fact that Chicago is being featured in marquee national games—on Black Friday against the Eagles and in Week 16 against the Packers—is a signal that the NFL believes this team could be worth watching. The prime-time spotlight is returning to the Windy City, and now it’s on the Bears to prove they can rise to the occasion. No one’s handing them a playoff berth, but for the first time in a while, it feels like they have the tools to compete for one.
Ultimately, the 2025 season will be defined not by what happened last year, but by what the Bears do next. Wednesday night will provide the roadmap. From there, it’s up to Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, and the rest of the roster to navigate it—and maybe, just maybe, to deliver something this franchise and its loyal fanbase have long been waiting for: hope, relevance, and the start of something real.