Mismatches for Bears to exploit in season opener with Vikings

"That's going to be helpful for us, just having somebody that can do that, somebody that can separate, somebody that can get open and be a security blanket for the quarterback."

It's probably difficult to pinpoint one Minnesota defender Loveland could cause problems for Monday night in the opener because several different players will need to alternate covering him, from slot cornerback to safety to linebackers.

He'll be a potential matchup issue all year for teams.

There are other more specific matchups the Bears should look to exploit in this debut game for Johnson and his staff. The problem they face with the receiver-defensive back advantages is their line needs to win up front against a dominant Vikings front to make it possible.

Grady Jarrett vs. Donovan Jackson

A college tackle, the 320-pound Jackson is a rookie moving to a different position at left guard and much of the day will face Bears veteran 3-technique defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. It's a potential problem for Minnesota. Jackson had only 12 plays in preseason, including eight passes, and had the worst Pro Football Focus pass blocking grade of all Vikings linemen. Jarrett will aim to disrupt by getting into the gap and pushing in against the run or by attacking rookie QB J.J. McCarthy in the passing game.

Kyler Gordon vs. Adam Thielen

In his days with the Vikings, Thielen presented a terrible challenge to the Bears because he complemented the tight end and deeper receiver threats like Justin Jefferson in his later years. That was then and this is now, as they say. Thielen will be back about a week and a half. He's 36 years old now and hasn't had much time to establish a rapport with his young QB. At his position, it's all about that rapport. Meanwhile, he'll be covered by one of the highest-paid slot cornerbacks in the league. Gordon's quickness and athleticism should allow him to challenge any throws into the the middle of the field to the slot.

Rome Odunze vs. Isaiah Rodgers

Rodgers is a cornerback the Vikings got in free agency from the Eagles and he played a non-starter role there with some success on one third of the defensive snaps for the world champions. He has 13 career starts in four seasons. At 5-10, 176 he isn't exactly built for handling 6-3 1/2 Odunze and his 214-pound frame. Rodgers is one of the players in 2023 who was suspended for gambling. Odunze's great strength is going vertical to make catches so look for back-shoulder throws and 50-50 balls if the Bears have this matchup.

Olamide Zaccheaus vs. Tavierre Thomas

Zaccheaus quickly became a favorite target of Caleb Williams or any of the Bears QBs during training camp with his great quickness and ability to get open in the slot. His speed makes short passes into possible big gainers with yards after the catch. The problem the Bears have is getting him and their other slot receiver, second-rounder Luther Burden III, enough touches. Thomas is the Vikings slot cornerback who has been with the Browns, Texans and Bucs and the last two seasons had sub-par passer ratings against of 111.6 and 118.7. It could be a place the Bears look to get YAC, which has been a key in the Johnson offense.