As OTAs kick off, Chicago Bears fans are still basking in glow of the team’s massive offseason changes. But once Week 1 rolls around, things will get serious. The Bears will either prove that their revival is legit, or fall flat on their face after another offseason of high hopes.
They’ll start their season off in primetime, taking on the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. It’ll be a strong test for Ben Johnson in his first game as head coach. Furthermore, a win would show the Bears are serious about contending in the NFC North.
However, win or lose, Chicago will still have 16 more games to play. And as the year moves forward, the Bears’ schedule only gets scarier. In fact, Greg Auman of Fox Sports argues that team’s schedule from Week 11-14 the ninth-toughest 2025 schedule stretch in the entire league.
The Bears are scheduled to face the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. Only their Week 12 matchup against the Steelers is at home.
“Three road games in four weeks is tough against anyone, but this stretch is particularly rough considering the Vikings and Eagles each went 8-1 at home last season,” Auman wrote.
“It helps that it’s in the second half of the season, where a first-year coach like Ben Johnson will have his bearings and a young quarterback like Caleb Williams should be fluent in a new offense,” Auman continued. “After this stretch, the Bears get the Browns at home in Week 15, but then it’s three more doozies to finish the regular season (Packers, at 49ers, Lions).”
Chicago Bears Week 11-14 gauntlet
In 2024, Week 11 came in the middle of Chicago’s 10 game losing streak. Come 2025, it’ll be a bench mark for the Bears success. If they’re still in the playoff hunt, all matchups should be competitive if nothing else. But if the Bears continue to struggle, Weeks 11 through 14 will feel like a lifetime for Chicago fans.
Starting off with a rematch, Johnson and company will be well aware of what to expect from the Vikings. However, now they’ll be traveling to face them on the road. JJ McCarthy will have more experience while Minnesota’s defense remains a scary threat. Whoever loses in Week 1 will be out for vengeance in Week 11.
Chicago’s matchup against Pittsburgh could come with massive implications. The Steelers have been heavily connected quarterback Aaron Rodgers all offseason. Rodgers obviously has a long history with the Bears from his time with the Green Bay Packers. The jersey might be different, but Bears fans would be on the edge of their seat for another opportunity to face Rodgers.
As the defending Super Bowl champion, the Eagles will have a target on their back in each of their matchups. While the Bears will be underdogs, they’d make a major statement with a win over the Eagles.
Anytime Chicago and Green Bay face off, it’s a must-see event. With the Bears winning their last matchup, Caleb Williams will have an opportunity to remain undefeated at Lambeau Field. Only this time around, Chicago is hoping to still be in the postseason hunt when they face off.
The Bears, for all the hype, still have plenty to prove in 2025. How they handle their Week 11-14 stretch will be extremely telling of the roster Johnson is building.
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