The Chicago Bears will indeed be playing football this week, but it is not a regular season contest. As the calendar turns to early August, the team is in the thick of its 2025 preseason preparations.1 On Sunday, August 10, the Bears will host the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field for their first preseason game of the year.2 This game marks the culmination of weeks of training camp, joint practices, and intense position battles, offering the first opportunity for the coaching staff and fans alike to see how the revamped roster performs in a live-game environment.3 While the outcome of a preseason game holds no weight in the standings, this particular matchup carries significant importance for a franchise that has been building towards this season with a renewed sense of purpose and high expectations. The atmosphere at Soldier Field will be electric, not for the scoreboard, but for the chance to witness the evolution of a team many believe is on the cusp of something special.
The storyline dominating the Bears’ offseason and training camp has been the development of their young, talented core, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The centerpiece of this narrative is quarterback Caleb Williams, the highly-touted No. 1 overall pick from the previous year’s draft.4 After a rookie season that showed flashes of brilliance mixed with the inevitable growing pains of a first-year signal-caller, all eyes are on Williams to take a significant leap forward in his second year. This preseason game against the Dolphins is his first chance to demonstrate that progress. While he’s unlikely to play the entire game, his time on the field will be under a microscope. Fans will be watching for improved command of the offense, quicker decision-making, and a deeper connection with his receivers. The chemistry he has been building in training camp with key weapons like DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze will be put to the test against an unfamiliar defense, providing a crucial measuring stick for his development. The pressure on Williams is immense, but so is the talent surrounding him, and this game is the first real-time test of that synergy.
Beyond Williams, the game is a critical proving ground for several players fighting for their place on the 53-man roster. Training camp is a grueling process of drills and practices, but nothing simulates the speed and intensity of an actual game. For undrafted rookies and veterans on the roster bubble, this is their moment to shine. The competition for the backup quarterback role, between veterans Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent, has been one of the more closely watched battles in camp.5 Their performance against the Dolphins will be a major factor in who wins the job. Similarly, the competition for the starting left tackle position has been a healthy and spirited one, with multiple players vying for the spot. The live game environment will reveal who is best equipped to protect the blind side of the team’s franchise quarterback. The coaching staff, led by new head coach Ben Johnson, will be meticulously evaluating every snap, every block, and every tackle to make the difficult decisions that will shape the final roster.
The preseason opener is also a chance for the coaching staff to get a feel for their new schemes and philosophies. Johnson, in his first year at the helm, has been installing a new offensive system designed to maximize the talents of his young quarterback and dynamic receiving corps.6 This game provides a low-stakes opportunity to run through the new playbook and see how the team executes against a live opponent. For defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, the game is an opportunity to gauge the effectiveness of his new defensive strategies. He has been tasked with building on the Bears’ strong defensive foundation from last season and will be looking for his players to showcase their aggressive, playmaking style. The defensive front, in particular, will be a point of emphasis, with players like Dayo Odeyingbo, who has reportedly had a stellar training camp, looking to prove they can consistently generate pressure. This game will offer the first glimpse of how the Bears’ defense will operate in the 2025 season.
The opponent, the Miami Dolphins, presents a formidable first test. The Dolphins are a team with their own set of dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball. Their fast-paced offense will challenge the Bears’ secondary, while their defensive line will provide a tough matchup for the Bears’ offensive line, which is still solidifying its positions. This joint practice earlier in the week provided a preview of the intensity, but the game itself is a different beast. The matchup will allow both teams to get a feel for their strengths and weaknesses before the regular season begins. For the Bears, it’s a chance to see how their defensive line handles the Dolphins’ quick-strike offense, and how their offensive line protects Williams from a blitz-heavy defense. This game is not about the final score; it’s about the small victories and the individual performances that will set the stage for the rest of the season.
The fans, of course, are a critical part of this equation. The loyalty of the Chicago Bears fanbase is legendary, and their excitement for this season is palpable. After years of rebuilding and a steady accumulation of talent, there is a genuine belief that this team is heading in the right direction. This preseason game is the first taste of that new era. The return of football to Soldier Field, even for a non-official game, is a celebrated event. For many, it’s the annual pilgrimage that signifies the start of a new season and the hope that comes with it. The crowd will be there to cheer on their favorites, get a glimpse of the new players, and collectively dream of a future where the Bears are once again a dominant force in the league. Their energy will not go unnoticed by the players, many of whom have been grinding away in training camp and are eager to feel the roar of the home crowd.
In the end, the game on Sunday is more than just a game; it’s the unofficial beginning of a new chapter for the Chicago Bears. It’s a dress rehearsal for the players, a diagnostic tool for the coaches, and a beacon of hope for a fanbase that has been waiting for this moment. From the battles in the trenches to the decisions made by the new head coach, every aspect of this contest will be analyzed and discussed in the days and weeks to come. The final score will be forgotten, but the impressions made by the players will linger, shaping the roster and the team’s trajectory as they prepare for the start of the regular season. The road to the Super Bowl is long, but for the Bears, it begins this week on the familiar turf of Soldier Field.
