15 most memorable Chicago Bears moments of 2025

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The 2025 calendar year is coming to an end, and it's one fans of the Chicago Bears won't soon forget.

The franchise underwent significant change this past year, from bringing in a new coaching staff to overhauling personnel on both sides of the ball. All while trying to get the most out of the 2024 No. 1 overall pick in hopes he could be the quarterback savior the team has been waiting for. And somehow, it all came together to give Bears fans a season they haven't seen in a long time.

To close out 2025, here is our list of the 15 most memorable moments of the year as it relates to the Bears:

15. Bears beat Raiders off blocked field goal

The 2025 Bears became known as the "Cardiac Bears" for their ability to come back and win games during the final seconds. Through 16 games, they've had six such wins, and it all started out in the desert early in the season.

In Week 4, the Bears faced the Las Vegas Raiders and struggled to stop rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders ran all over the Bears and were in position to win despite quarterback Geno Smith throwing three interceptions. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams led a late touchdown drive to take a late lead, but the Raiders had plenty of time to get a game-winning field goal. Special teams ace Josh Blackwell came through with a key block to save the victory and give the Bears their first improbable win of the season. It was a game that set the tone for the rest of the year.

14. Bears end losing streak vs. Packers to close out 2024 season

The Bears kicked the calendar year off on a strong note with a thrilling upset win over the rival Green Bay Packers in the Week 18 season finale. Following a disastrous 2024 season, including a 10-game losing streak, Chicago set the tone with a last-second field goal by kicker Cairo Santos and earned their first win over the Packers in 12 games. The Bears had nothing to play for while the Packers were playing for playoff positioning, and Chicago finally got their revenge that was six years in the making.

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams led one what would become several comeback wins in the year 2025, and unlike the previous game against Green Bay (which was marred by a blocked, game-winning field goal attempt), this comeback win counted.

Despite some mistakes, this was the most complete game the Bears had played since before the bye week -- when their last win occurred. It's also crazy when you realize the Bears were mere inches -- and one blocked field goal -- away from sweeping the Packers last season. It's hard to believe, by year's end, this wasn't higher on the list. That just shows how much good came out of this year.

13. Seth Wickersham's Caleb Williams revelations

The Bears' offseason was strong in multiple ways, whether it was the new coaching staff that was hired, key veterans being signed during free agency, or the NFL Draft that produced multiple playmakers. But it was not without its speed bumps. One such potential distraction occurred in May when a bombshell was put out from an upcoming book from Seth Wickersham.

In the excerpt from Wickersham's book "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback," it was revealed Caleb Williams and his father, Carl, sought ways to avoid getting drafted by the Bears in 2024. Williams and his father had concerns about Chicago's inability to develop quarterbacks and weren't convinced the coaching staff would benefit the young signal caller. What's more is Williams wanted to go to the Minnesota Vikings and play with coach Kevin O'Connell before ultimately committing to the Bears.

While Caleb and his father were ultimately proven correct with the total dysfunction of his rookie year, things have worked out since then. Ben Johnson's arrival has unlocked Williams' potential, and the Bears are playoff bound for the first time in five years.

12. Ben Johnson's first Bears victory

The Ben Johnson era didn't get off to the best start as the Bears dropped games against NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions to start the season 0-2. Chicago blew an 11-point fourth-quarter lead to Minnesota, allowing J.J. McCarthy to shine with three touchdowns, before getting the doors blown off them by the Lions, 52-21, in Johnson's first game against his former team.

The Bears desperately needed a win, and welcoming the Dallas Cowboys to Soldier Field proved to be just the thing the doctor ordered. Earlier in the week, Johnson challenged his team's practice habits, saying they weren't "championship caliber," and the team responded in the right way. Chicago blew out Dallas, 31-14, in a game where quarterback Caleb Williams tied a career-high four touchdowns -- en route to NFC Offensive Player of the Week -- the defense started their dominant takeaway play with three picks, Chicago's young stars shined and Johnson earned his first win as an NFL head coach. And it was the beginning of a rallying cry that would take the NFL world by storm.

11. Bears stadium false starts

Kevin Warren speaks to media after being introduced as the Chicago Bears President and CEO at Halas Hall on January 17, 2023 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

While the Bears have been getting the job done on the field this year, things continue to go around in circles off of it. The team's stadium situation has once again been a priority for president and CEO Kevin Warren, but despite multiple announcements and media tours, the project remains at a standstill.

Back in the spring, Warren officially pivoted away from attempting to build a stadium on the lakefront just south of Soldier Field and refocused efforts on Arlington Heights. More renderings were released, and fans were surveyed to see what they want to see in the future home of the Bears.

Due to limited support from the Illinois government, however, the Bears recently announced new plans to consider a site in Northwest Indiana. Warren was hoping to break ground in 2025, but instead, he's breaking pencils with the number of open letters that have been sent to the fans.

10. Nahshon Wright's rise to prominence

Nahshon Wright #26 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28 at Soldier Field on November 23, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The Bears have been decimated by injuries this season, most notably on defense, and it opened the door for some surprising names to emerge. Arguably the best feel-good story has been cornerback Nahshon Wright, who got an opportunity to start in place of an injured Jaylon Johnson and went on to become the league's top takeaway defender. At the time of publication, he's totaled five interceptions and three fumble recoveries (as well as two forced fumbles).

Wright made waves in training camp, reunited with his former position coach Al Harris, and he stepped up with Johnson missing most of the season. Wright fell just short of his first Pro Bowl nod, but he was the top vote-getter by fans, which shows that his impressive play didn't go unnoticed. Even with Johnson back in the lineup, Wright's solid play earned him the right to retain his starting job. With Wright set to become a free agent in 2026, he's already made it clear he'd love to return to Chicago (and possibly Al Harris, assuming he's not plucked from Ben Johnson's coaching staff). We'll see if the Bears opt to run it back.

9. Bears load up on offensive weapons in 2025 NFL Draft

The NFL Draft has been a highlight for Bears fans in recent years, seeing as they have picked inside the top 10 for three years in a row. And all options were seemingly on the table this past year, with the possibility that the Bears could go for a number of positions. In the end, it was an onslaught of offensive talent that joined the Bears back in April.

The Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick, then used a pair of second-round picks on wide receiver Luther Burden III and tackle Ozzy Trapilo. After turning their attention to defense for the middle rounds, the Bears used their final pick in the seventh round on running back Kyle Monangai.

As the kids would say, the Bears cooked with this class. Loveland and Burden have become two of the top rookie pass catchers, Trapilo has found a home at left tackle, and Monangai has proven to be a hard-nosed runner while forming a dynamic duo with D'Andre Swift.

8. Ben Johnson goes shirtless

Outside of the Bears winning football games, which has been thrilling in itself, fans have looked forward to Ben Johnson's postgame "Good, Better, Best" speech almost as much as the wins themselves. There have been some memorable ones, but none more memorable than after the Bears' dominant win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday.

The Weiner Circle issued a challenge for Johnson earlier in the season: Go shirtless and the city of Chicago gets free hot dogs. Following the Bears' 24-15 statement win over the Eagles, he addressed his team and made it clear that the city is starving...not just for wins but hotdogs. Johnson then pulled off his shirt as his team and staff went wild, and it generated a viral reaction online.

"I figured the sooner than later: I'm not in the weight room very much anymore," Johnson said. "You know, I think anytime you get a chance to feed a city, you want to do it. So, man of the people." Very much so. And it's something Bears fans won't soon forget.

7. Bears overhaul the offensive line in a week

The offensive line was a major problem for the Bears in 2024, and the front office made it their mission to fix it in 2025. It turns out all they needed was a week to do it. The Bears were in the market for three new interior linemen, and they got creative to find them.

A week before free agency started, Chicago traded for former Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a sixth-round pick. One day later, they acquired All-Pro guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs for a future fourth-round pick. And on the first day of free agency, the Bears signed Drew Dalman, the top center on the market, to a three-year deal.

The three veterans came together to reshape the offensive line and completely change the Bears' offense. Caleb Williams was sacked 44 fewer times through 16 games, and the run game is second in the league. Dalman and Thuney were named Pro Bowlers, and Jackson returned to form from his days with the Detroit Lions. The deals to acquire these linemen helped change the trajectory of the franchise.

6. Bears defeat Bengals in wild back-and-forth game

There's been no shortage of memorable games for the Bears this season, and one of the most thrilling was no doubt their 47-42 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9. That win was unlike any the Bears had mustered at that point of the season. It wasn't a blowout win or a last-second field goal or a blocked field goal, they were able to outlast the Bengals in a shootout.

Unlike the previous regime, where blowing a fourth-quarter lead became common practice, Ben Johnson's team was able to overcome a defensive meltdown (where the Bengals scored 15 points in 49 seconds) and the offense stepped up to deliver a game-winning touchdown drive to secure the win. It was the unofficial coming out part for rookie tight end Colston Loveland, who has garnered a reputation for dominating Ohio-based sports team. Loveland had a career day with a team-best 118 yards on six receptions, as well as his first NFL touchdowns, including a 58-yard game-winning touchdown to give Chicago the win.

5. Steve McMichael passes away

Bears Hall of Famer Steve McMichael passed away

The Bears lost one of their own on April 23 when Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael passed away at the age of 67 years old due to complications from ALS. McMichael was diagnosed with the disease in April of 2021 and fought it for four years while Bears fans showed their support for the man they called "Mongo."

One of the most dominant defensive tackles in the NFL during his era, McMichael was a key cog on the 1985 Super Bowl-winning team. He was revered by his former teammates, who supported him through his fight. McMichael was able to see himself inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024, with his wife Misty representing him at the ceremony. The Bears honored McMichael with a No. 76 sticker on their helmets and removed his number from the rotation this year.

4. Bears stun Packers in overtime thriller

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) catches at the game-winning touchdown pass while being covered by Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) during overtime their game Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime.

The Bears have had some thrilling games with close finishes, but nothing tops the Midway Miracle back in Week 16, when Chicago overcame a double-digit deficit (and flat offense) en route to an improbable 22-16 overtime win against the Packers at Soldier Field. After falling just short against Green Bay in the previous meeting in Week 14, the Bears were able to even the season series thanks to all three phases and some pretty amazing luck in what's become an instant classic in the rivalry.

Chicago had no business winning this game after their rough showing in the first three quarters. The Bears struggled for most of the game, where the offense was held to just three points, before flipping the switch in the fourth quarter. Chicago's defense bent but didn't break, and they kept the Packers out of the end zone in all five of their red zone trips. Quarterback Caleb Williams led three consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter, including the game-tying touchdown to rookie Jahdae Walker in the final seconds to force overtime. After the defense got a huge stop on fourth-and-1 near midfield, Williams secured the victory with a 46-yard walk-off touchdown to receiver DJ Moore to ice the comeback.

3. Bears clinch playoff berth and win NFC North

As the Bears season took shape, so too did the playoff possibilities. Despite starting 0-2, the Bears rattled off a four-game and five-game winning streak that increased their chances at the postseason every week. Fans went from checking Tankathon and doing mock drafts to studying the playoff picture and deciphering clinching scenarios.

All of it came to a head in Week 16 when the Bears clinched their first playoff berth in five years thanks to their win over the Packers and a Lions loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It got even better when the Packers lost their next game to give the Bears the NFC North crown for the first time since 2018, ensuring they will host a playoff game at Soldier Field.

2. Owner Virginia McCaskey passes away

Bears owner Virginia McCaskey passes away at 102

The Bears and NFL suffered a huge loss with the passing of Virginia McCaskey, who died at the age of 102 on Feb. 6. McCaskey, known as the First Lady of the NFL, was a huge part of the history of the NFL. Her father, George Halas, founded the league and the Bears, and she had a front-row seat to it all. From the Red Grange traveling tour to the 1985 Bears to the NFL's 100th anniversary, McCaskey's life has been football. Following her father's death in 1983, McCaskey took over as principal owner of the Bears, a role she served in for the last 40 years until her passing.

Chicago has honored McCaskey this season with players donning a football-shaped patch with her initials (VHM) inside for every game this season. It's a nod to Virginia's father and Bears founder, George S. Halas, who died on Oct. 31, 1983. The Bears wore a similar patch for the remainder of the season, and it soon became permanent with the "GSH" on the left jersey sleeve, which remains to this day. While Virginia isn't around to see Chicago's impressive turnaround, the Bears have done an excellent job honoring her memory and putting together the kind of team that's championship caliber.

1. Bears hire Ben Johnson as head coach

The Bears hiring Ben Johnson as their next head coach literally changed everything about the franchise. It was a move fans had been begging the team to make for over a year, and yet it was still shocking when the news finally broke that he was coming to Chicago.

Johnson was the hottest coaching candidate for two years in a row, and the Bears became an ideal match as soon as Matt Eberflus was fired, given the talent of Caleb Williams. Everyone wanted Johnson, however, and at one point, it seemed he was destined to join the Las Vegas Raiders. But on Monday, January 20th, it was announced Johnson was coming to the Bears, and nothing has been the same since. It's a hire that set the course for the year to come and is easily the most memorable moment of 2025.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Memorable Bears moments from 2025: From Ben Johnson to improbable wins

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