There’s no telling how much longer Soldier Field will be the home of the Chicago Bears. Talks of the team building a new stadium in Arlington Heights or northwest Indiana will continue despite the Bears 2025 season coming to an abrupt end Sunday.
But one thing’s for sure. Being inside of Soldier Field during the snowy NFL Divisional showdown between the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams was a special climax to the end of a magical season. Honestly, It would be difficult seeing the Bears move on from Soldier Field after witnessing a playoff game on the lakefront.
“This is extraordinary,” 31-year-old Courtney Darby told The TRiiBE. The West Side native had great seats in section 101, located on the northeast side of the stadium next to the endzone. “I couldn’t picture a better day to be at a Bear’s game than this. It’s snowing, the fans are out, it’s crazy, it’s loud; we got it.”
By this point, it was halftime and the game was tied 10-10 after the Rams completed a 32-yard field goal just before the end of the second quarter.
“Nobody knew we would make it this far,” Darby said. “People [are] still counting us out. I think we got it. I think we’re gonna go to the Super Bowl and win the whole thing.”
Of course, our Cinderella story didn’t end that way. The Bears lost 20-17 in overtime.
Yes, we’re all a little disappointed. After all, advancing to the postseason for a chance to compete for a Super Bowl title doesn’t come every year. Look at the Detroit Lions or the Washington Commanders; everybody thought their immediate futures were bright following the 2024 season only for both teams to fall short of the playoffs this year.
Look. The Bears had a 5-12 losing record in the 2024 season. They fired their head coach mid season; a first for one of the NFL’s oldest teams. And our rookie QB Caleb Williams took the most sacks of any quarterback in the NFL that year.
Coming off of that, Bears fans now have a lot to be proud of this season — and even more to look forward to next season.
“Words can’t explain. It was a great season, whether we win or lose. We exceeded expectations,” Darby said at halftime.
Let me back up a little bit. Leading up to Sunday’s matchup, the biggest news story was just how cold it was going to be in Chicago that day. At kickoff, it was 19 degrees on the lakefront, but that didn’t stop thousands of fans from pouring into our dome-less Soldier Field — the NFL’s oldest stadium — to cheer on the home team.
This was my first time at an NFL playoff game. I feared the conditions the lakefront would bestow. My dad hooked me up with his best snow gear for the frigid night.
My layer game was tight. I wore an Under Armour long-sleeve compression shirt, long johns, a sweater, a hoodie, my QB18 Caleb Williams jersey, snow pants and snow overalls, along with two pairs of socks and my winter Polo boots.
The wind chill made it feel like negative-2 degrees, and the lakefront produced winds up to 22 mph. All of that, mixed with a little scattered snowfall, made for frozen tundra football. Nonetheless, I was unbothered by the elements.
Before the game, I had the pleasure of tailgating with Da Real Bears Tailgate Crew in the Waldron Deck Courtyard. There, you could find South Side native Shun Haines.
“Living in Chicago, we know our city is divided because of the Cubs and the Sox. But the Bears, they unite this city like no other team does,” Haines, 55, told The TRiiBE. He has been a season ticket holder since 2002 and tailgating with the same crew for over 10 years.
On Sunday, Haines sat in section 208 of Soldier Field, located on the east side of the stadium along the 50 yard line. He credits the fans who showed up Sunday night with understanding the assignment; everyone stayed quiet while the Bears were on offense and made noise while the Bears were on defense.
“I’ve never heard it that quiet. That was the amazing part. Everybody knew their assignment,” Haines said.
Like the rest of us, Haines has been amazed by the Herculean efforts of the team all season. As a season ticket holder, Haines has traveled to away games this season, witnessing crazy comebacks against teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Minnesota Vikings.
“To be there, then to be amongst Bears fans within the crowd, it was just like an extended family,” Haines said when mentioning the road games.
For Haines, the Bears front office deserves a lot of credit for this winning season. “I think [General Manager] Ryan Poles and [President and Chief Executive Officer] Kevin Warren are doing a good job,” he said.
Haines is confident in Poles’ ability to spot and analyze potential talent, pointing out that running back Kyle Monangai was drafted in the 7th round in 2025, but the rookie has proven to be a contributor to this season’s success. “I’m confident we’ll shore-up the defense and add depth to the offense. I’m looking forward to next season,” he told The TRiiBE.
It has been a thrilling season to say the least. On Sunday, fans most certainly thought that the Bears were on their way to yet another miraculous comeback win for the ages. Williams completed what’s possibly the best throw in NFL history. On 4th and 4, running backwards for more than 20 yards from the line of scrimmage, the Iceman threw a fadeaway dot straight to a patient TE Cole Kmet in the endzone to tie the game.
Unfortunately, Williams threw an interception in overtime. The ball was intended for Wide Receiver DJ Moore, but resulted in the end of the Bears season. It simply took the air out of the building.
The Bears magic ran out Sunday night. While we love and appreciate the late-game heroics that’s become the identity of this team, I think every reasonable fan understands winning in this fashion isn’t sustainable. It certainly isn’t good for our blood pressure.
“I’m upset we lost, of course, but I’m still very happy at what ended up coming from this season,” 33-year-old Bears fan Drake Collins said. He commuted from north suburban Beach Park to Soldier Field with his father. They sat and cheered on the home team from the 350 section.
Collins, who has been to Bears games in the past, said this was his first time attending a playoff game; so it was all a new experience for him.
“It was a warm feeling, being around the Bears fans. I know people keep saying this, but it was magical,” Collins said.
Going into the season, Collins said he had very reasonable expectations for the team after acquiring Ben Johnson as head coach.
“I knew it would be a culture change from [Matt] Eberflus to Johnson, so I was a little more excited going into this season,” Collins said. “I definitely thought we would be better than last year, for sure.”
Now, like most Bears fans, Collins has raised the bar for next season. “The expectations are higher,” he said. “I expect to go to the NFC Championship next year.”
