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Bears Floated as Option for Marquee 2025 Game Due to Ben Johnson

By Joseph Grassano

Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions during a introductory press conference at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions during a introductory press conference at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images / David Banks-Imagn Images
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The 2024 NFL season officially ended last Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl 59. With the season ending, fans and analysts are left looking forward to two things: the impending offseason and the start of the 2025 NFL season.

Philadelphia's Super Bowl victory guarantees them the spotlight on the first Thursday night of the 2025 season. As a result, speculation has already begun about their Week 1 opponent, especially since the full list of 2025 matchups for all 32 teams has been revealed.

On the latest episode of The Adam Schefter Podcast, Schefter laid out the Eagles' potential Week 1 opponent and named the Bears as a possible favorite in the league's eyes.

Chicago Bears Named as Potential Top Option to Open 2025 Season Against the Philadelphia Eagles

"The Chicago Bears, in my mind, become the matchup to watch for that Thursday night opener. I can totally see it now: Ben Johnson's first game in Philadelphia, Bears looking to make a comeback, it's not the marquee matchup that you're giving away early on. But it's a compelling enough matchup that everyone would be excited to see it. "

- Adam Schefter

Schefter's analysis of why the NFL could choose this matchup to open the season is logical. Despite an underwhelming 2024 season, the Bears and Ben Johnson will generate lots of hype going into 2025.

That said, this matchup would not favor the Bears. As much as every fan may want to believe Johnson will have an immediate impact on Chicago's offense, it will likely take some time. Therefore, facing Philadelphia in Week 1 would certainly lead to a one-sided game that fans would tune out of.

While the NFL likely wants the defending Super Bowl champs to win their season opener, they would also like to retain viewership. Sadly, for Bears fans, it's tough to say that the team would be able to keep a Week 1 game against Philadelphia close.

Nevertheless, everyone will just have to wait and see how the NFL schedule-makers decide to build the schedule later this year.

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