The final score was 27-24. After leading for almost three-and-a-half quarters, it was not the outcome the Bears faithful had wanted.
Two 2024 draft picks started as quarterback: the Bears' Caleb Williams and the Vikings' J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy is from La Grange. He missed last season with a torn meniscus, but won a state title at Nazareth and a national championship at Michigan.
ESPN's David Kaplan recaps Bears loss to Vikings
One Bears fan who ABC7 spoke with called Monday night's outcome "a big let down."
Fans entered this game with tempered optimism and left with mixed opinions about these Ben Johnson Bears. Johnson made his NFL head coaching debut Monday, after spending the past 14 seasons as an assistant with Miami and Detroit.
The last time the Bears opened on a Monday night was in 1997, and fans started off the day in high spirits. They geared up for the game as 4:30 a.m. at Harry Caray's Restaurant on Navy Pier.
ABC7 kicks off early Bears vs. Vikings tailgate at Harry Caray's Tavern
Bears Hall of Famer Richard Dent stopped by the tailgate to talk about what makes Chicago special.
ABC7 catches up with Bears Hall of Famer Richard Dent
Outside Soldier Field, the tailgate lots filled up immediately after opening.
Earlier Monday, fans said they were optimistic about Johnson and Williams.
"I would say every year we have the same expectations that we're going to go 17-0. Occasionally we're let down, probably more frequently than we'd like," fan Alex Jacobs said.
Jacobs and his crew showed up nearly three hours early to get a prime spot for tailgating.
"Every game is a lot of fun, but this one is special because it's the first one and, you know, kicks off the season again," he said.
On the north side of the museum campus, Clark Street Sports has the merch ready.
"Fingers, fan chains, of course all the jerseys," said Art De Leon, a partner with Clark Street Sports.
The business is owned by a group of Chicago natives, who root for the Bears as fans and as business people.
"Coming into the new year, hiring a Ben Johnson, lot of expectations around the team, but also from a merchandise standpoint, I know everybody's feeling the pressure. You know, the coaches, the team, the city, even us at Clark Street Sports because, as the Bears go, we go," De Leon said.
Fans at The Staley in the South Loop earlier Monday said it feels like a new chapter, and hopefully a path forward toward consistent winning.
The bar at 18th Street and Michigan Avenue is owned by former Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije.
"Great expectations going into the season, just going to see how the team gels together, you know, we have a great new leader. So, I love the discipline that he's been showing the team, and I think it's something we were lacking in previous years," Patrick Sullivan said.
"There's a difference in being hopeful and just knowing that it's going to be different. So, I've been hopeful every year, but I just feel it in my gut. I think it's a Chicago intuition," Tiffany Hale said.
"I think the culture has changed a little bit. This guy is desperate to win for our city. We need it. We're tired of celebrating anniversaries of Super Bowls," Mark Norton said.
Fans also weighed in on the Bears' apparent commitment to building a stadium in Arlington Heights. Some say they are sad that the team is breaking tradition with Soldier Field, but others say it is a move that is likely best for the organization and that a new stadium could be good for fans.
But mostly, they are hoping for a better outcome next game.
The Bears will take on the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Free CTA Rides
Fans headed home from the Bears game on Monday can get free rides on the CTA.
From 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. fans can board CTA's Red, Orange and Green Line trains at the Roosevelt Station for free.
Free rides will also be available on the No. 146 bus.
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