What a difference a week makes. Seven days after the Chicago Bears scored a franchise-record 59 points in their season opener, Ben Johnson's offense couldn't find the end zone once.
And somehow, that wasn't even the most concerning development Sunday.
The Bears suffered their first loss of the 2026 season, falling 9-3 to the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field in a game that ended with starting quarterback Caleb Williams sidelined by a right hamstring injury.
Williams was injured on a fourth-quarter scramble and had to be helped from the field before eventually leaving on a cart. Tyson Bagent replaced him for the remainder of the game.
Until the Bears provide more information, the severity of the injury remains the biggest question coming out of Week 2.
The game itself wasn't particularly encouraging, either.
Chicago's offense looked nothing like the unit that produced 552 yards and 59 points against Carolina. The Bears finished with 297 yards on 70 plays, averaged just 4.2 yards per play, and turned the ball over twice. Minnesota didn't score a touchdown, either, but three Will Reichard field goals were enough to send Chicago to 1-1.
Williams completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before leaving the game. He added 42 rushing yards on five attempts.
Bagent completed 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards after taking over.
Bears offense never gets going
Sunday's game looked nothing like the shootout many expected.
Minnesota opened the scoring with Reichard's 35-yard field goal before Cairo Santos tied the game with a 50-yarder late in the first quarter.
That would be it for Chicago's scoring.
Reichard connected from 49 yards in the second quarter to give Minnesota a 6-3 halftime lead, and neither team scored in the third quarter.
Chicago had opportunities, but turnovers and penalties repeatedly made life more difficult. The Bears were penalized eight times for 58 yards and committed two turnovers. Minnesota finished without a turnover.
Chicago actually outgained Minnesota 297-246 and held the football for 32:41 compared with the Vikings' 27:19.
None of it translated to points.
The Bears also couldn't reproduce the dominant rushing performance that overwhelmed Carolina. After rushing for 291 yards in Week 1, Chicago finished with 134 Sunday.
Kyle Monangai led the Bears running backs with 47 yards on 10 carries. D'Andre Swift managed 45 yards on 16 attempts after rushing for 124 yards and three touchdowns last week.
Bears defense deserved better
If there's a positive for Chicago, it came from a defense that needed a response after surrendering 37 points and 478 yards against Carolina.
The Bears held Minnesota to 246 total yards and didn't allow a touchdown.
Carson Wentz, starting in place of the injured Kyler Murray, completed 11 of 20 passes for 143 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Justin Jefferson was held to three receptions for 55 yards. Aaron Jones did manage 105 rushing yards on 23 carries, but Chicago repeatedly kept Minnesota out of the end zone and gave its offense opportunities to win the game.
The Bears simply couldn't take advantage.
It's a frustrating outcome, given how much attention Chicago's defense received after Week 1.
Dennis Allen's unit did almost everything it needed to do Sunday. Holding an opponent to nine points should be enough. It wasn't.
Williams' injury becomes the bigger concern
Chicago still had a chance late. After Williams exited, Bagent moved the Bears deep into Minnesota territory during the final minute.
He completed passes to Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze as Chicago advanced into scoring position, but the Bears couldn't finish the drive.
Bagent was sacked on the game's final play.
But the Bears' record isn't the primary concern right now. Williams is.
Chicago's offense was already enduring a miserable afternoon before its franchise quarterback went down. What initially looked like a frustrating divisional loss became potentially much more significant when Williams needed assistance leaving the field.
The Bears will now wait for more information on his right hamstring. Everything else about Sunday's loss is secondary until they get it.
Comments
Join the Conversation
Sign up to comment on this story
Create a free BearsTalk account to comment, earn points, and join the community.
Loading comments…
