The Chicago Bears’ 2025 NFL schedule is beginning to take shape as leaks continue to emerge ahead of the official league-wide release set for 8 p.m. ET tonight. While nothing is final until the NFL makes the full schedule announcement, various credible reports and early revelations are offering a glimpse into what’s in store for Chicago in the upcoming season. As is tradition, the days leading up to schedule release night are filled with speculation, scattered leaks, and early reports. Some are confirmed within hours; others fade into the rumor mill. Regardless, the anticipation remains sky-high, and Bears fans are eager to see how the path ahead will be paved.
The Bears are set to face a slate of opponents that features not just their familiar NFC North foes—the Packers, Lions, and Vikings—but also challenging cross-divisional matchups with teams from the NFC East and AFC North. That includes exciting home games at Soldier Field against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the always headline-grabbing Dallas Cowboys. The road trips won’t be any easier, as Chicago will venture into two of the NFL’s most hostile environments to face the Baltimore Ravens and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Thanks to the NFL’s rotating schedule formula, teams that finish in the same place within their divisions also face one another the following season. Since the Bears finished fourth in the NFC North in 2024, they will square off with the fourth-place finishers from both the NFC South and NFC West. And due to the 17-game season format, they’ll have one additional inter-conference matchup—an AFC West same-place finisher on the road. That game will give the Bears another long-distance trip, potentially to face a team like the Denver Broncos or Las Vegas Raiders, depending on who landed in that fourth spot.
One of the early schedule revelations confirms that the Bears will not be featured in the NFL’s traditional Thursday night season-opener. There was initial speculation that the matchup between the Bears and the Eagles—two high-profile markets with a strong national following—could be used as a marquee game to launch the new season. However, that possibility has been ruled out. The NFL announced that the 2025 season will instead kick off on Thursday, Sept. 4, with the Eagles hosting the Cowboys in a primetime battle. That matchup pits the defending champs against one of the league’s most polarizing teams, which likely made it an easier decision for the league office. As a result, Bears fans will need to wait a little longer to see their team officially take the field.
One of the more exciting confirmed matchups for Bears fans is the late-season showdown against the Green Bay Packers, which will take place in Week 16. Slated for Saturday, Dec. 20, the game will be the second in a FOX Saturday doubleheader, following a game between the Eagles and Commanders. While kickoff time has yet to be announced, the national broadcast slot ensures the game will be under a larger spotlight than most. The Bears-Packers rivalry remains one of the most storied in the NFL, and despite recent struggles from Chicago’s side, it continues to generate intrigue. A late-December clash between these two teams could carry major playoff implications or at least serve as an opportunity for the Bears to play spoiler to their arch-rival.
Adding to the national spotlight is another major scheduling leak: the Bears will face the Eagles on Black Friday. That game, set for Nov. 28, will be aired exclusively on Amazon Prime, marking one of the league’s few standalone Friday matchups during the regular season. With the game falling just one day after Thanksgiving, it ensures the Bears will be front and center in the minds of football fans enjoying a long holiday weekend. The matchup is also notable for its timing deep into the season, offering the potential for postseason implications. Facing the Eagles on the road will be no small task—especially considering they’re coming off a Super Bowl title—but it’s a golden opportunity for Chicago to prove themselves against the league’s elite.
As for Week 1, the Bears’ opening opponent remains a mystery, but two of the potential options have already been ruled out. The Packers and Lions will square off in a divisional matchup during the first Sunday of the season, locking in both of those teams’ schedules for Week 1. That leaves the Vikings as the most likely divisional opponent remaining, and if the league opts to keep Chicago in an NFC North contest to begin the year, a Bears-Vikings clash could be on the cards. Still, with inter-conference and cross-divisional games also in play, there’s a strong chance the NFL could start Chicago off against a non-divisional foe.
What makes this schedule release particularly intriguing for the Bears is the new narrative surrounding the team. With a revamped roster, new additions through both the NFL Draft and free agency, and a growing sense of optimism, there’s a feeling in Chicago that the tide could be turning. Whether those changes are enough to launch the Bears into playoff contention remains to be seen, but the way the schedule falls will certainly play a role in determining their fate. Key factors such as timing of bye weeks, stretches of road games, primetime exposure, and divisional game placement will all influence how favorable or difficult the journey becomes.
Of course, leaks can only tell so much. Until the full, official schedule is published, the pieces will remain incomplete. For instance, we don’t yet know when the Bears will face the Cowboys or Steelers at home—both games that are sure to draw massive crowds and media attention. Nor do we know when they’ll travel to Baltimore, one of the toughest venues in football. Each of these games carries storylines galore and potential turning points within the season. Will the Bears get a late-season bye week to rest up before a playoff push? Or will they face a brutal stretch of December games on the road? These questions will be answered soon.
This annual drip-drip of schedule leaks and rumors has become something of a spectacle in its own right. Fans and insiders alike scour social media for credible information, often from reporters with inside sources at the league office or within team organizations. The NFL has seemingly embraced the madness, allowing the drama to build organically in the hours leading up to the primetime reveal. For the Bears, whose fanbase is among the most passionate in all of football, the buildup is as much a part of the fun as the games themselves.
One thing that is certain is the level of competition the Bears will face in 2025. The NFC East is stacked with talent, led by the Eagles and Cowboys. The AFC North features physical, defense-first teams like the Ravens and Steelers. Even among the same-place finishers, Chicago won’t find many easy outs. With a roster still under construction and a franchise looking to establish long-term stability, this season represents a critical measuring stick. The right schedule can provide opportunity; the wrong one can bury playoff hopes by October.
As more leaks come in, Bears fans are encouraged to stay tuned and check back often. Each new piece of information adds clarity to the season ahead and builds momentum toward kickoff in September. Whether it’s the announcement of another primetime game, confirmation of a home opener, or word of a tough road trip in December, the shape of the 2025 season is becoming clearer by the hour. And while nothing is guaranteed until it’s printed in the league’s official release, one thing is for sure: the Chicago Bears’ road to redemption will be anything but dull.