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Chicago Bears might see Week 1 advantage grow thanks to developing situation in Minnesota’s starting lineup

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 5:53 PM ET

As the Chicago Bears get set to open training camp next week, it's important not to look too far ahead to the regular season, but one developing situation could end up giving the team a massive advantage in Week 1 against a division rival.

On Thursday, a legal case involving Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison was closed, stimming from a DUI charge Addison received last year.

Addison pled guilty to a lesser charge, meaning he will have to pay a fine and complete two online courses per his agent.

With this now closed and behind him, Addison can get his mind focused on training camp with the rest of his teammates, but the NFL's final decision on the matter might determine when Addison is actually able to suit up during the regular season.

Addison is still subject to suspension handed out by the NFL, the length of which is still to be announced. However, it's increasingly likely that Addison will, at the very least, miss the Vikings' season opener in Chicago.

Vikings WR Jordan Addison’s driving under the influence case has reached a conclusion. He will now be subject to potential NFL discipline that likely will involve suspension for some number of games. https://t.co/B1OwPsxcAj
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) July 17, 2025

No Addison means good things for the Bears' chances in Week 1

Not having to potentially face Addison in Week 1 is great news for the Bears' defense led by new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Preparing for the Vikings' offense is a tough challenge when accounting for Justin Jefferson and Addison at the wide receiver position.

A potential suspension means the Bears can put all its efforts defensively into locking down arguably the top wide receiver in the league, a job that falls on the shoulders of Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Under Allen's press-man scheme, Johnson will finally get the opportunity to shadow opposing #1 wide receivers, putting him on a collision course to guard who he considered to be the toughest man to line up against.

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Facing the Vikings in 2024, the Bears largely held Jefferson in check. In two games against the Bears, Jefferson had a combined 19 targets that resulted in nine receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown. Against Johnson, however, he only had two receptions for 28 yards on three targets.

Addison is what killed the Bears. In those two matchups, Addison had 15 receptions for 225 yards and one touchdown. Without him on the field, Johnson can be tasked with shadowing Jefferson throughout the game, leaving better matchups for the other members of the secondary.

Not having to face Addison in Week 1 to open the season makes things a lot easier defensively for Chicago and could go a long way toward kicking off the Ben Johnson Era with a "W" in the win column.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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