Bears Fall to Vikings in Season Opener After Dramatic Comeback

The staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Chicago Bears 27-24 in the 2025 NFL season opener at Soldier Field. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy led the Vikings with three touchdowns in the final quarter, turning an 11-point deficit into a road victory on Monday Night Football. Chicago controlled the first half, leading 10-6 at the break thanks to a rushing touchdown from rookie QB Caleb Williams and a 42-yard field goal by Cairo Santos. Williams, the Bears’ top draft pick, finished with 210 passing yards, a touchdown pass, and a rushing score, also leading the team with 58 yards on the ground. The Bears’ defense dominated early, forcing four first-half three-and-outs and limiting Minnesota to just 80 total yards and no third-down conversions before halftime. Momentum swung in the third quarter when Chicago’s Nahshon Wright intercepted McCarthy and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bears a 17-6 lead. However, the Vikings responded with 21 unanswered points in the final quarter. McCarthy connected with Justin Jefferson for a 13-yard touchdown and with Aaron Jones for a 27-yard score, then ran in a 14-yard touchdown himself. The Vikings’ defense, led by newcomer Javon Hargrave’s two sacks, stiffened late, holding Chicago to a single score in the third quarter and applying consistent pressure on Williams. The Bears closed the gap to 27-24 with a late touchdown pass from Williams to Rome Odunze, but Minnesota’s special teams and defense held firm in the final moments, sealing the win. Will Reichard contributed with field goals of 31 and 59 yards for the Vikings, the latter tying a Soldier Field record. This result marks a successful NFL debut for McCarthy, who finished 13-of-20 for 143 yards and a 98.5 passer rating. Jefferson led all Vikings receivers with four catches, surpassing Steve Jordan for fourth place on the franchise’s all-time receptions list. The Bears, under new head coach Ben Johnson, will look to regroup after a promising but ultimately frustrating opener. For full game stats and highlights, visit the Chicago Bears ESPN page and the official Vikings game recap.