The Chicago Bears will face their toughest preseason test Friday night when they travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET, with the matchup offering a prime-time atmosphere and a potential preview of how both teams are shaping up ahead of the regular season.
With final roster cuts looming, the spotlight turns to Bears head coach Ben Johnson. Will he opt to give his starters one last run under the lights, or will he prioritize evaluating depth players fighting to secure a place on Chicago’s 53-man roster?
What Are Ben Johnson’s Plans for the Bears’ Starters Against Kansas City?
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is expected to play his starters, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has had limited action earlier this preseason. Reid has traditionally used the third preseason game as a dress rehearsal, and this year appears no different.
Mahomes will likely be joined by tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Rashee Rice, giving Chicago’s defense a high-caliber challenge. However, the Chiefs will not be at full strength, as seven players have already been ruled out due to injury.
On the Bears’ side, Johnson confirmed earlier this week that his starters will also take the field.
HC Ben Johnson says the Bears starters WILL play in their final preseason game against the Chiefs 👀@heykayadams | @ChicagoBears #DaBears pic.twitter.com/cDABrxnR2K
– Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 19, 2025
Johnson announced the news during an appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Up and Adams,” saying the team will use the game as a final tune-up before the regular season opener against Minnesota.
How Will Caleb Williams Handle the Arrowhead Stadium Challenge?
Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams is expected to start after a sharp outing against the Buffalo Bills last week. Williams led a 92-yard touchdown drive and finished 6-of-10 passing for 107 yards before exiting after 14 snaps. Although this game does not count towards the standings, playing in the challenging environment of Kansas City will be a valuable experience for the young quarterback and the rest of the starting unit.
Ben Johnson knows exactly how to attack defenses and get his quarterback playing fast
🐻 Here are two examples of just that with Caleb Williams from the preseason: pic.twitter.com/vt6aLUwtkD
– Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) August 19, 2025
Chicago’s defense, which forced a three-and-out on Buffalo’s opening drive, will face a more dynamic test against Mahomes and the Chiefs’ high-powered offense. The Bears’ offensive line will also be under pressure from Kansas City’s pass rush, led by Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.
Friday’s game marks Chicago’s final preseason contest and its only road game before final roster cuts. It is the last chance for both teams to evaluate their starters in live action before the regular season starts.
Fans can stream the Bears-Chiefs preseason finale live on NFL+, with local broadcasts available in Chicago (FOX 32) and Kansas City (KMCI-TV & KSHB-TV).
