Expectations for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears are sky high in 2025. Look no further than their top-billing on "Monday Night Football" vs. the Minnesota Vikings.
An NFC North matchup on Monday night featuring a team that went just 5-12 is pretty indicative of that, but there are some good reasons for it. First is the hiring of new head coach Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions.
Under Johnson, the Lions boasted one of the most fun, effective and innovative offenses in football. That could bode well for Williams, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, who had a rookie season to forget.
But they face a tough task against the visiting Vikings. Minnesota is coming off a stellar 2024 season, one in which they finished 14-3 and second in the NFC North. However, there's a big change under center: 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy returns after missing the entirety of the season with a knee injury.
How McCarthy will perform in his first season as Vikings QB1 is anyone's guess – but that's what makes the first showdown of the 2025 "MNF" all the more intriguing.
