Sports

Despite Loss and Caleb Williams Injury, Fans Hope a New Chicago Bears Era Has Arrived

The Chicago Bears ended their rainy home opener with a 9-3 loss against the Minnesota Vikings, putting them at 1-1 this season. Star quarterback Caleb Williams also left the game with a fourth-quarter hamstring injury, the team reported.

Williams was later seen walking out of the locker room on his own without crutches or support, according to multiple reports.   
Despite the loss, the Bears had a chance late in the fourth to win the game following a series of deep completions by backup quarterback Tyson Bagent and fans left Soldier Field dejected but hopeful. 

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) lies on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo / Nam Y. Huh)

If you asked a Bears fan at the beginning of last season what they thought about their team, they’d tell you the Bears have a prolific history, but a lackluster start to the 21st century. They would reminisce about defensive superstars like Brian Urlacher and Dick Butkus, but lament an offense flimsy at its best and infuriating at its worst.

But, despite gray skies and rain at today’s game, the message among fans — at least before the game’s brutal end — was clear. 

“(Super Bowl) this year, next year,” said Mark Chereso, a season ticket holder from Schaumburg “New dynasty that’s what it is.” 

“It’s not out of reach, man,” said Chris Davis, a Bears fan since the 80s and a Bronzeville resident. “I could see us winning one in the next three years.” 

“Chicago needs to be in the Super Bowl again,” said Pete Tekampe Jr., a season ticket holder from Cherry Valley. “The offense is Super Bowl material right now.” 

In just one year, it seemed like the script on the Bears had completely flipped. The team captured lightning in a bottle last year, winning seven games after trailing with two minutes or less to go in the fourth quarter, including an instant classic against archrival Green Bay in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. 

Before this season, second-year Head Coach Ben Johnson, set lofty expectations. 

“I want to have the highest-scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos,” Johnson said. “I know how many points per game they scored (37.9), and I want to surpass them. I want shutouts. I want blowouts.”

In Week 1 against the Panthers last week, Johnson’s offense put up 59 points, their fourth highest scoring performance ever. 

“Ben Johson said he wants the highest scoring offense in the NFL, 59 points in Week 1 is a great start,” said Paul Christiansen, a born-and-raised Bears fan. 

Contrary to their historical identity, this Bears offense is riddled with explosive young talent. You won’t go more than a mile in Chicago without seeing fan-favorite tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet or contested catch savant Rome Odunze on billboards — and for good reason. 

The Bears were the 10th ranked offense in the NFL last year, despite many of their best players only being in their second or third years as pros. 

“Loveland was expected to do big things last game, but he didn’t catch one catch and we still put up 59 points,” Davis said. “Our best player didn’t get one catch and we put up more points than anybody in the opener.” 

Chicago Bears fans tailgate before the start of the home opener on Sept. 20, 2026. (Blake Thor / WTTW News)

Chicago fans have also been won over by their quarterback Caleb Williams, who had a rough start to his career, but has since emerged as a prototypical NFL star under Johnson. 

“I didn’t like him at the beginning,” said Pete Tekampe Sr., a Bears fan since the 70s. “I was a Justin Fields guy, I thought he was the future, but he didn’t work out.” 

Williams captivated fans last season delivering jaw-dropping throws, earning the nickname “Iceman” for his calm-under-pressure demeanor. 

“I think Caleb got a raw deal in his first year with the coaching situation and (Matt) Eberflus,” Christiansen said. “Seeing Ben Johnson come in, you could see he was learning a lot… ever since then they’ve been rolling.” 

‘It’s Been Tough’

But better than seeing their quarterback on the main cover of video game “Madden NFL 27,” the first Bear to ever receive the distinction, has been a renewed sense of hope amongst Bears fans.  

Since winning the Super Bowl in 1985, the Bears have suffered a 322-344 win-loss record and a 198-224 record since the turn of the century. Tack on a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Indianapolis Colts in 2007, and it’s easy to see why some Bears fans began to throw in the towel.

“It’s been tough, man. There’ve been some tough years rooting for these Bears,” Davis said. “I don’t like talking about those years because it does something to me, man.” 

“There were a lot of tough days,” Chereso said. “It was fun watching the defense just dominate everything, but the offense was rough.” 

For Tekampe Sr., who recalls hosting Watler Payton on his farm in the 80s, the Bears once again fielding a dominant offense has been a long time coming. 

“You kept waiting when it was gonna pop and it finally has,” Tekampe Sr. said. “It’s just a lot of excitement.” 

Looking around the tailgate on the upper level of the Waldron Deck at Soldier Field, you might not have been able to tell it was raining or that it was 10 a.m. 

Chicago Bears fans tailgate before the start of the home opener on Sept. 20, 2026. (Blake Thor / WTTW News)

One fan carried around a purple and gold garbage can labeled “Binnesota,” holding the top open for his daughter to throw a football inside. When she did, nearly two-dozen tailgaters erupted into cheer as if watching Williams throw a perfect spiral. 

Another fan stood yelling and flexing, while wearing a crewneck depicting a shirtless Ben Johnson doing the same — a reference to a viral postgame rallying cry after beating the Eagles last year. 

“We’ve got something to cheer for,” Davis said. “We’re living in the better days.” 

For Bears fans, a close second to cheering on the blue and orange is tearing down the green and gold. The Packers have dominated the historic rivalry, boasting a 51-17 record against the Bears since 1992. 

But, following  a miraculous Bears comeback against the Packers in the playoffs last year, that dynamic might be changing. 

“That was the greatest game ever,” said Angela Sarcco, a longtime Bears fan from Gold Coast. “I went home and grated some cheese.” 

Despite playing the Vikings, flocks of Bears fans could be heard chanting “Green Bay sucks! Green Bay Sucks!” just about every 3 minutes. 

“We’re gonna own (the Packers) for quite some time,” Davis said. “And it’s gonna be very pleasuring. When you think of pleasure you probably think of something intimate. Not this time.” 

Recalling last season’s nailbiter loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round, Davis said the Bears should welcome adversity. 

“I’m glad they didn’t make it to the dance right away because every champion need to face defeat first,” Davis said. “It makes the victory that much better.” 

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