For all the games on the Chicago Bears’ schedule, no crowd may be more energetic than what they’ll see when they host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. Fans will be eager to forget the 5-12 season that happened a year ago and they’ll be ready to usher in the Ben Johnson era on Monday Night Football.
With Caleb Williams entering his second season as franchise quarterback, there are plenty of reasons for the Bears to be amped up for the big reveal. But the only thing that could send Chicago to another level is if they come out of that game with a win.
The Bears are in the process of being at their best when the season begins on Sept. 8. But they may have gotten a little bit of help as the latest news just increased their chances of scoring a season-opening win.
The NFL has announced WR Jordan Addison has been suspended without pay for the first three games of the 2025 regular season for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 5, 2025
Addison is permitted to participate in all training camp activities, including preseason games without… pic.twitter.com/xK6NAYzWXH
Vikings WR Jordan Addison Suspended for Season Opener vs. Bears
The NFL announced on Wednesday that Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has been suspended for three games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The suspension stems from a July 2024 DUI arrest in California which Addison pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. But the plea allowed the NFL to hand down the suspension, which gives the Bears a big lift for their season opener.
Addison has become a top target for the Vikings since he was selected in the first round of the 2023 draft. He ranks fifth in receptions (133), third in receiving yards (1,786) and first in receiving touchdowns (19) among receivers taken in that draft class and was slated to be a weapon for J.J. McCarthy in his first season as a starter.
On top of that, the Vikings are dealing with several injuries during training camp. While Justin Jefferson (hamstring) and T.J. Hockenson (lower body) are expected to be ready in time for the opener, the Vikings are still playing it safe with left tackle Christian Darrisaw who tore his ACL and MCL last October.
Then there’s the quarterback situation. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted that McCarthy has had ups and downs during training camp so far and the Michigan product will be making his first career start after missing his entire rookie season rehabbing from a knee injury.
The Vikings could make the argument that they’re getting the Bears at the right time as they acclimate to Johnson’s offense. But there seems to be plenty of moving parts in Minnesota’s offense. While they have 34 days to get right, the Bears chances of claiming a win just went up as the Vikings will start the season without one of their key weapons.