It’s here. Finally.

The Chicago Bears’ 2025 schedule was released Wednesday night in a league-wide announcement that is (for no logical reason) treated like a tentpole event.

We’ve known about their opponents for some time now. We even had some big-game announcements earlier in the week. But now we have the full Bears slate, which Ben Johnson must navigate in his first season as the team’s head coach.

The Bears have some additional offensive weapons and fortified their lines. They’ll need all that to win consistently against a tough run of opponents.

As a note, all dates and kickoff times are subject to change under the NFL’s flexible scheduling policy. But as of now, here’s how the Bears’ 2025 schedule lines up.

Week 1: Vikings at Bears

Sept. 8 at 7:15 p.m. CT (ESPN/ABC)

Quick take: Johnson’s debut will come on the big “Monday Night Football” stage. The Bears also are expected to see Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy in his first NFL start. That’s a good thing, as McCarthy could struggle in his debut.

Week 2: Bears at Lions

Sept. 14 at noon CT (FOX)

Quick take: Two NFC North games to start the season. The Bears better be ready, especially for what will be Johnson’s return to Detroit.

Week 3: Cowboys at Bears

Sept. 21 at 3:25 p.m. CT (FOX)

Quick take: The afternoon slot was given for the ever-popular Dallas Cowboys, who are coming to Soldier Field.

Week 4: Bears at Raiders

Sept. 28 at 3:25 p.m CT (CBS)

Quick take: The Bears have tons of tough opponents on the schedule. The Raiders shouldn’t be one. They have to leave Las Vegas with a win.

Week 5: Bye

Quick take: This bye is way, way too early. The team will say it comes at the right time, but it doesn’t. The Bears will play 13 consecutive games to close the season. Rough draw here.

Week 6: Bears at Commanders

Oct. 13 at 7:15 p.m CT (ESPN/ABC)

Quick take: This is a “Monday Night Football” rematch of the fateful Hail Mary game that sent the Bears into a downward spiral last season. It’s also a showdown between Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Week 7: Saints at Bears

Oct. 19 at noon CT (FOX)

Quick take: Dennis Allen will face the team that fired him in-season last year. His players will want to win one for their defensive coordinator.

Week 8: Bears at Ravens

Oct. 26 at noon CT (CBS)

Quick take: The first part of a brutal AFC North two-step. Facing Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry on the road will be no easy task.

Week 9: Bears at Bengals

Nov. 2 at Noon CT (CBS)

Quick take: The Bengals had a down year by their lofty standards. Don’t expect that to happen two seasons in a row. The Bengals can score a ton, so this might be a shootout.

Week 10: Giants at Bears

Nov. 9 at noon CT (FOX)

Quick take: Rome Odunze was taken before Malik Nabers in last year’s draft. I’m sure both first-round picks will want to prove their team made the right choice at receiver.

Week 11: Bears at Vikings

Nov. 16 at noon CT (FOX)

Quick take: The second edition of Bears-Vikings should be fun, though Chicago has lost three of its last four at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Week 12: Steelers at Bears

Nov. 23 at noon CT (CBS)

Quick take: Will we see Aaron Rodgers come to Soldier Field in black and yellow?

Week 13: Bears at Eagles

Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. CT (Amazon Prime Video)

Quick take: The Bears will be on a national stage against the defending Super Bowl champion, in a Black Friday game streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

Week 14: Bears at Packers

Dec. 7 at noon CT (FOX)

Quick take: Johnson’s first foray into the Bears-Packers feud should be fun, considering Matt LaFleur didn’t seem to like the introductory press conference volley about Johnson beating him twice a year.

Week 15: Browns at Bears

Dec. 14 at noon CT (FOX)

Quick take: Don’t trust anyone who puts Ws or Ls by games the night of the schedule release. This one had better be a W, though.

Week 16: Packers at Bears

Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. CT (FOX)

Quick take: A lot could be on the line in the last 2025 installment of a bitter rivalry. Also, this game is on a Saturday and will provide an extra day’s rest at a time in the season when the Bears could use it.

Week 17: Bears at 49ers

Dec. 28 at 7:20 p.m. CT (NBC)

Quick take: This game is on “Sunday Night Football” and could be a huge one if the Bears are pushing for the playoffs.

Week 18: Lions at Bears

Jan. 3/4; TBD on kickoff time and TV network

Quick take: Johnson versus Dan Campbell in the last game of the regular season. Because, of course. If the NFL wants drama, they’ve got it.

Preseason schedule

Johnson and the Bears will have three warm-ups for the season, as the team announced later Wednesday.

Bears fans will receive their first look at Johnson’s new-look squad in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins on a date and time to be announced. The Buffalo Bills will visit Soldier Field on Aug. 17 for a Sunday night game, and the Bears will close out the exhibition season with an Aug. 22 visit to the Kansas City Chiefs.