Week 1: the trade that wasn't

Chicago opens Sept. 13 in Charlotte at noon. Caleb Williams could have been a Panther if not for the trade that sent them the No. 1 pick they used on Bryce Young in 2023.

Week 2: Murray, not McCarthy

The Vikings visit Sept. 20. Kyler Murray beat out La Grange Park native J.J. McCarthy this preseason, making him the fourth straight No. 1 overall pick the Bears face at quarterback.

Week 3: the shirt game sequel

Eagles on Monday night, Sept. 28. Last meeting was the Black Friday game where Ben Johnson ripped his shirt off and The Wiener's Circle handed out free hot dogs.

Week 4: the AFC East gift

The Jets come to town Oct. 4. Drawing the AFC East is a break: the Jets and Dolphins carry the second and third longest Super Bowl odds, behind only the Cardinals.

Week 5: Parsons is waiting

At Green Bay on Oct. 11. The Packers have circled this date for Micah Parsons, who must miss the first four games on the PUP list after tearing a knee last year.

Week 6: Dexter's revenge game

At Atlanta on Oct. 18. Ryan Poles traded Gervon Dexter last month to Falcons GM Ian Cunningham, one of his best friends, who spent the last four years in Chicago.

Week 7: the Maye comparison

Patriots on Thursday night, Oct. 22. Drake Maye, taken two spots after Williams, has outplayed the whole 2024 quarterback class and sits at 10-1 to win MVP.

Week 8: a familiar face in Seattle

Monday night at the defending champs on Nov. 2. Thomas Hammock left his head coaching job at NIU in February to coach Seattle's running backs.

Week 9: the Bucs, again

Tampa Bay on Sunday night, Nov. 8. A scheduling quirk and matching division finishes meant these two played eight times in 10 seasons from 2014 to 2023.

Week 10: bye week

The Bears rest in Week 10, right before a home stretch that runs through New Orleans and a Thanksgiving trip to Detroit.

Week 11: Allen vs. his old team

Saints at Soldier Field on Nov. 22. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, fired as New Orleans head coach in 2024, beat them there last year and barely showed it.

“Certainly one I wanted to get”

Week 12: back to Ford Field

Thanksgiving at Detroit, Nov. 26. The Bears' last trip there was a 52-21 loss in Week 2 last year, with the Lions averaging a team-record 8.8 yards.

Week 13: Coen's jab lands

Jaguars on Dec. 6. Coach Liam Coen complained his team gets no respect while he sees "40 pictures of Caleb Williams" on the NFL website every day.

“40 pictures of Caleb Williams”

Week 14: a scheme Johnson knows

At Miami on Dec. 13. The Dolphins' head coach, quarterback and defensive coordinator were all with the Packers last year, so Johnson has seen this before.

Week 15: the big one in Buffalo

Saturday night, Dec. 19, in the Bills' new stadium against MVP favorite Josh Allen. Call it the Bears' game of the year, non-Packers edition.

Weeks 16 to 18: the finish

Christmas Day against Green Bay on Netflix in the orange-and-navy Rivalries uniform, then the Lions with three extra days of rest, then a Week 18 trip to Minnesota that may decide a playoff spot.