Chicago, its officially game day.
After months of anticipation, the Bears’ regular season kicks off with Monday Night Football at Soldier Field against the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Ben Johnson at the helm.
It’s Johnson’s first regular season Bears’ game since being named the coach in January. Prior to joining the Bears, Johnson was offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
“All that matters…what do we need to do to win the game,” Johnson said at a press conference. “Everybody in this building, certainly when I see them, roster from top to bottom, how locked in they are.”
Bears’ quarterback Caleb Williams said he has the “utmost confidence” in Johnson to put him in a position to succeed.
“I got the utmost confidence in Ben, and his coaching ability, play calling and all of that,” he said. “So I think it comes down to being able to execute exactly what he puts out there for us as a team, as an offense.”
Though Williams threw for a team rookie-record 3,541 yards with just six interceptions, he was sacked a franchise-worst and league-high 68 times as his offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, and then head coach, Matt Eberflus, were fired along the way.
For their part, the Vikings have a debuting quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, who is originally from LaGrange. They’re coming off a 14-3 season and are loaded at nearly every position.
As if opening against Minnesota isn’t tough enough, the Bears must play at defending division champion Detroit next week. The Vikings and Lions were a combined 29-5 last season.
As Monday Night Football approaches, here’s what to know.
What time is the Bears vs. Vikings game?
Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m. at Soldier Field.
According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, it’s looking like the weather in Chicago is going to be cooler than average Monday night with temperatures possibly falling into the 50s during the game.
What channel is the Bears – Vikings game? How to watch
The Bears’ season opener will air on ABC and ESPN, and stream on NFL+.
How much are Bears tickets?
Tickets are still available for Monday’s game, but they’re not cheap, with starting prices at $270.
What’s new at Soldier Field?
According to executive chef Ryan Craig, the team focused heavily on providing more options for kids at games this season, including new meal boxes and other offerings like pigs-in-a-blanket, made with Vienna Beef hot dogs, and Molly’s Mac and Cheese.
Kids can even get Bears-shaped cookies at games this season, according to the organization.
Elsewhere in the stadium, fans can pick up an Italian Beef and Sausage Pizza from Connie’s in the United Club and on the midway, according to the Bears.
Mr. Beef will operate a location near section 134, offering traditional Italian beef sandwiches and other fare, and the team also partnered with Barstool Sports for the “Pardon My Cheesesteak” sandwich, offered in multiple locations around the stadium.
Former Bears player Israel Idonije also partnered with Levy Restaurant Group on several new food offerings, including a crispy chicken sandwich and brisket-loaded nachos.
What to know about Ben Johnson
Johnson, who has never been a head coach, established himself as one of the NFL’s most creative play-callers over three years as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. He joined the Lions’ staff in 2019.
Johnson helped Jared Goff re-establish himself as a top quarterback following a trade from the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. The Bears strive for similar results with Williams, though the circumstances aren’t the same. Goff, after all, made two Pro Bowls and led the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance over five seasons.
“We’re going to grow together,” Johnson said. “This offense is going to grow together with him. There will be some bumpy steps along the way, but that’s OK. That’s the nature of doing it. I feel really good about where he’s at right now, and there’s no reason why we can’t win this year.”
