The 2025 NFL Schedule is set to be officially released on Wednesday, but throughout the week, networks have designated windows where they can unveil portions of the schedule.
On Monday morning, we learned that the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles will be the first game of the 2025 NFL season. There was some speculation that the Chicago Bears could be the team to play the Eagles before the Cowboys were announced.
While the Bears won't be playing the Eagles in Week 1, we did learn who their Week 16 opponent will be. As part of a Saturday doubleheader for Fox, the Bears will host the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on December 20, 2025.
Two more games revealed. A Week 16 Saturday doubleheader on FOX. https://t.co/Sx5wF9ZekI
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 12, 2025
Bears, Packers to exchange holiday greetings in Week 16
Given that this is a Week 16 matchup, chances are the Bears will be traveling to Lambeau Field earlier in the season.
There is a sense of irony over the Bears hosting the Packers during the holiday season. The biggest reason is that it doesn't appear likely that Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur will be exchanging holiday cards this season. When Johnson was first introduced as the Bears' head coach, he catered to Bears fans by expressing his joy in beating LaFleur's Packers twice a season. In the meantime, it's become clear that LaFleur has taken issue with that comment.
The Bears playing the Packers toward the end of the regular season has become a tradition. The issue is that the Packers are often gearing up for a playoff run while the Bears are plotting ways to become offseason champions. The hope is that Johnson's arrival as the Bears' head coach changes that perception.
When the Bears and Packers meet in December this season, there is a chance that both teams will be fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Making things even more spicy is the fact that it would likely be for one of the NFC Wild Card spots.