Minnesota Vikings extensive receiver Jordan Addison (3) battles Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright throughout a contested catch at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on Nov 16, 2025. The Week 11 spotlight clip captured Addison elevating close to the sideline as Wright challenged the throw, making a dramatic second from Minnesota’s divisional matchup towards Chicago. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
The world isn’t essentially excessive on the Minnesota Vikings in 2026, primarily as a result of new quarterback Kyler Murray’s fame is at a profession low level. However one web site actually took the cake final week, bashing the Vikings and calling them a non-threat this season.
DaWindyCity.com took it upon itself to declare the Vikings a laughable squad, which is unusual as a result of Minnesota beat Chicago as soon as final yr and was one deal with away from a sweep.
Bears-Themed Media Thinks the Vikings Are a Joke
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy dropped again to cross throughout first-half motion towards the Chicago Bears at Soldier Subject as Minnesota opened a highway divisional matchup. On September 8, 2025, in Chicago, McCarthy labored from the pocket whereas the Vikings’ offense tried to ascertain rhythm towards a well-recognized NFC North opponent. Necessary Credit score: Matt Marton-Imagn Pictures.
Nick Halden: Simply Go Forward and Write Off the Vikings
Halden did the honors, assessing an article a couple of J.J. McCarthy taunting penalty — of all issues — final yr. He wrote, “The Bears can already write Vikings off list of 2026 NFC North threats. No question, the Bears have zero reason to fear the Vikings and should be able to pencil in two wins in each of the team’s divisional matchups.”
“Having such a poor decision-maker at quarterback simply cannot be overcome. No question, the Bears have zero reason to fear the Vikings and should be able to pencil in two wins in each of the team’s divisional matchups. Having such a poor decision-maker at quarterback simply cannot be overcome.”
For good measure, he added, “The Bears still need to approach the Vikings with their best attack due to the familiarity, but barring injuries or a complete coaching failure, Minnesota simply isn’t a threat. This is evidenced by a series of quarterback decisions that doomed a once-productive rival offense.”
The Very QB He’s Making Enjoyable Of … Helped Beat the Bears Final Season
Final yr, earlier than the Bears morphed right into a playoff-bound squad, they hosted the Vikings in Week 1, McCarthy’s first profession begin. The teenager appeared shaky all through the competition — that occurs to first-time starters — however McCarthy turned on the jets when it mattered essentially the most.
McCarthy personally abused the Bears, main his staff to a come-from-behind triumph, and on the time, sending his private momentum via the roof. Vikings followers thought, “We got our man” for the lengthy haul at quarterback — earlier than numerous struggles and accidents for the 22-year-old.
For his troubles, McCarthy even gained NFC Offensive Participant of the Week.
So for Halden to chide McCarthy as a horrible quarterback, effectively, it simply doesn’t make a lot sense after he noticed firsthand how McCarthy may cook dinner and beat Chicago — in his inaugural sport.
Bears Bought One Whiff of Success
This have to be the worth of success. Chicago gained a playoff sport in 2025 — its first since 2010 — and now that fan base or running a blog neighborhood can punch down. An analogous phenomenon emerged in 2023 (and stays) for the Detroit Lions. For years, the Lions had been the laughingstock of the NFC North, the child brother to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, Vikings, and typically even the Bears.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams met Minnesota Vikings extensive receiver Justin Jefferson after a divisional matchup at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, making a notable postgame second between two NFC North headliners. On November 16, 2025, in Minneapolis, Williams greeted Jefferson following the sport as cameras captured the trade close to midfield after Minnesota’s residence contest. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures.
Then, Dan Campbell arrived, and Detroit turned a severe staff, practically reaching the Tremendous Bowl in 2023. They fell brief and orchestrated the most important collapse in NFC Championship historical past, however that didn’t cease followers from altering their character — “same ‘ol Lions” shifted to the massive unhealthy wolves of the NFC North.
That seems to be taking place with some Bears followers and writers.
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Halder’s assertion: “No question, the Bears have zero reason to fear the Vikings,” will probably be put to the take a look at in lower than 10 weeks. The NFL season kicks off September ninth, and any summer time prognostication will meet its maker.
The Bears may have an opportunity to personify Halder’s daring take by claiming the Vikings are a joke nobody wants to fret about. Chicago additionally gained oodles of shut video games in 2025, and when that occurs, groups often regress to the imply.
Chicago Bears tight finish Colston Loveland was introduced down after a reception as Minnesota Vikings defenders Fabian Moreau and Eric Wilson closed shortly at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. On November 16, 2025, in Minneapolis, Moreau and Wilson converged throughout first-quarter motion, stopping Loveland in a bodily NFC North matchup close to the sideline. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
Fox Sports activities‘ Greg Auman wrote in regards to the Vikings final month, “If the Minnesota Vikings had found ways to put up more points last season, they would’ve made the postseason for a second straight year.”
“They had a top-10 defense with coordinator Brian Flores, going 7-2 in games where they scored 20 points or more. That suggests if the offense can get back to 2024 levels, they could be a surprise team in the NFC North.”
Lastly, Chicago and Minnesota will do battle at the least twice in 2026. If there’s nothing to concern in regards to the Vikings, the Bears ought to seamlessly sweep the purple staff, a feat it has not achieved in seven years.
Oddsmakers checklist the Bears’ win-over-under at 9.5, with the Vikings a whisker behind at 8.5. The 2 golf equipment first meet on September twentieth — Week 2.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
