5 Bears players to watch vs. Vikings in Week 1

The Chicago Bears were one of the worst teams in the NFC last season. Now, with new head coach Ben Johnson, they hope to build on their 5-12 season from a year ago. 

They open their 2025 season with a Monday Night Football matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Going against a team that went 14-3 last season out of the gate is never easy, even if they do have a quarterback starting in the NFL for the first time. 

If the Bears are going to beat them, they need all of their players to step up. Five of them, in particular, are must-watch going into the game for a variety of reasons:

QB Caleb Williams

The role of the Bears quarterback has not been kind to many people over the last 30 years. Caleb Williams is the latest player trying to break that mold. After an up-and-down rookie season in 2024, Williams is looking to take another step as a second-year player. With Ben Johnson calling the plays, the 2024 first overall pick has everything he needs to lead the Bears to a winning season. His first game could set the tone of what’s to follow. 

TE Colston Loveland

One of Williams’ new weapons is the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, tight end Colston Loveland out of Michigan. He's a playmaking tight end who figures to make a great pair with Cole Kmet in a two tight-end set. Chicago’s game against Minnesota will mark Loveland's NFL debut, and he'll look to make a positive impact on offense right away. 

LT Braxton Jones

Braxton Jones won the job as the starting left tackle. He didn’t earn it by dominating his position during camp or the preseason, but he is the veteran who can be trusted the most at this time. In the game against the Vikings, we will see how he starts the season as he faves a tall order against this Vikings pass rush. It isn’t a guarantee that he finishes the season as the starter, but watch him in this game to see if he looks like he might hang on. 

CB Jaylon Johnson

One of Chicago's best players, if not top player, is Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who missed the summer with a groin injury. He enters the weekend as questionable after limited participation in practice all week, but he is on track to play. When the game begins, all eyes will be on him to see how he looks especially as he'll likely be entrusted to shadow NFL superstar Justin Jefferson.

DE Montez Sweat

When Montez Sweat was first acquired by the Bears during the 2023 season, it was expected that he’d be a double-digit sack guy in addition to being one of the league’s top disruptors on defense. Chicago paid him as such. Last season, his first full year with the Bears, Sweat wasn’t good enough. Part of that is the lack of help on the defensive line, but that isn’t a good enough excuse. He must be better. With a first-year starter at quarterback on the other side in Week 1, this is a chance for Sweat to get off to a strong start. 

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Vikings: Chicago players to watch in Week 1