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. That mentality is something that we have, something that we preach.
