In Chicago’s first regular-season game under coach Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams and the Bears saw a second-half lead slip in a 27-24 loss to the division rival Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field Monday, a contest the hosts led,17-6, in the third quarter.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears were in control of the division rival Minnesota Vikings for most of Monday’s season opener at Soldier Field only to see their efforts squandered in a 27-24 loss.
That fast start was sparked by quarterback Caleb Williams in his first regular-season game under Ben Johnson. After going his entire rookie season without leading a touchdown drive on the Bears’ opening possession, Williams recorded his first career rushing touchdown and Chicago’s first opening-drive TD since the 2023 season.
He did so by completing his first 10 passes, which marked the longest streak by a Bears quarterback to start a season opener since 1978 and the most consecutive completions in his NFL career. It helped the Bears to carry a four-point lead into halftime that extended to a 17-6 margin after cornerback Nahshon Wright recorded a pick-six in the third quarter.
But as penalties, execution issues and mistakes piled up in the second half, Chicago’s inability to close out another opponent felt reminiscent of previous seasons.
« We felt like we were dominating the game, like you said », Williams said. « We were in control up to two scores coming out of half.
