Overview
- McCarthy will make his first NFL regular-season start Monday on the road at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football.
- He missed the entire 2024 season after tearing his meniscus in the Vikings’ preseason opener.
- Top receiver Jordan Addison is unavailable through Week 4 due to suspension, thinning McCarthy’s targets for the opener.
- Uncertainty lingers on the offensive line with Christian Darrisaw coming off a major knee injury and new interior additions Ryan Kelly and Will Fries returning from injuries.
- Bears defenders are preparing to pressure an offense with little NFL tape on McCarthy, while Minnesota still features high-end options in Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, Adam Thielen and Aaron Jones.