The Chicago Bears welcome the Miami Dolphins to Soldier Field on Sunday for the first preseason game of the 2025 NFL schedule. Kickoff is set for noon local time (1 p.m. ET) with national coverage on NFL Network. Oddsmaker BetMGM lists Chicago as a three-point favorite with the total at 34.5 points. Temperatures are expected to reach 84 °F under partly sunny skies. The contest marks the sideline debut of new Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who is weighing whether to rest most of his starters. Chicago’s secondary is already thin, with cornerbacks Kyler Gordon (hamstring) and Jaylon Johnson (leg) nursing injuries, while running back Roschon Johnson is questionable with a foot issue. Miami also enters short-handed. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill remains out with an oblique strain, and second-round guard Jonah Savaiinaea is unlikely to play after leaving Friday’s joint practice early. Coach Mike McDaniel plans to rely heavily on rookies and depth players, including first-round defensive tackle Kenneth Grant and backup quarterback Zach Wilson. Seventh-round quarterback Quinn Ewers is slated for extended second-half snaps. Sunday’s exhibition offers both franchises an early look at untested personnel. Chicago is seeking progress after another losing campaign, and Miami is trying to rebound from a 25-year playoff-win drought that has placed McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier under scrutiny.