Chicago Bears new-look defense under Dennis Allen projected to face at least two rookie quarterbacks, and potentially a third in 2025
The Chicago Bears defense will have a new energy in 2025 under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who's looking to have an aggressive unit.The team certainly has the players and mentality needed to bring that energy in 2025 and the Bears will need it going up against some steep competition this season.Dennis Allen's unit will be […]
The Chicago Bears defense will have a new energy in 2025 under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who's looking to have an aggressive unit.
The team certainly has the players and mentality needed to bring that energy in 2025 and the Bears will need it going up against some steep competition this season.
Dennis Allen's unit will be facing some top-level quarterbacks such as Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, and potentially even the Boogeyman himself, Aaron Rodgers.
Simply put, the 2025 season will have a lot of tough matchups for this defense to prove themselves as one of the best units in the league. But, on the flip side, Chicago is projected to get some easy defensive matchups against a few rookie QBs as well.
Week 7 vs. Saints
Following the sudden retirement of veteran QB Derek Carr, the New Orleans Saints quarterback room is left to Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and second-round rookie Tyler Shough. Based on that room, the competition this summer for the starting job seems to be between Rattler and Shough, with Shough potentially in the pole position.
"As an older QB prospect, there is little time to really sit Shough and have him learn from a veteran. A veteran option may not even truly be in the room for the Saints, either. I would expect Shough to have a chance to start immediately for New Orleans, given he is the final addition to the QB room this offseason." – Adam Holt
This one seems as locked in as possible. And for historical context, Shough would be the fourth different Saints QB to face the Bears since 2019 (Derek Carr, Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater). This would also be a revenge game for Allen's defense going up against his former team that fired him from the head coach position in 2024.
Week 10 vs. Giants
The New York Giants will have a fascinating QB decision from a week-to-week basis after signing both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency then trading back into the first-round to select Jaxson Dart. When we see Dart take the field in 2025 is anyone's guess, but it's projected to be after the Week 10 date against the Bears.
“A commonly used practice across the league has been to give rookies the chance to start following the team's bye week that season. The Giants' bye week is scheduled for Week 14, and the team has four games remaining after. That stretch will still be very difficult with games against the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, and Cowboys left. But it would allow Dart to get four games under his belt ahead of the 2025 season. If we are being honest, the Giants could very well be out of playoff contention by this point, so giving Dart reps to help prepare him for 2026 and hopefully boost his confidence as an NFL QB would go a long way for his development.” – Destin Adams
As a counter to that point, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll will be on a short leash in 2025. If the season starts out horribly, against a tough early slate of opponents, handing the keys to Dart sooner than later could be the last resort to potentially keep their jobs. So, don't fully rule out seeing Dart in this matchup.
Week 15 vs. Browns
A common theme here when talking about the incoming class of rookie signal-callers is loaded QB rooms. There isn't a more crowded one than the room in Cleveland. This offseason, the Browns have traded for Kenny Pickett, signed Joe Flacco, drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third-round, and then traded up to draft Shedeur Sanders in the fifth. Given name value, sooner than later the Browns will turn to Sanders at some point, and even if they don't one of the two rookies will see some action late in the season.
"Starting [Sanders] in Week 7 would give him two games before the Week 9 bye, offering a natural evaluation point after some real in-game experience… Of course, this assumes Sanders has either outperformed Gabriel or the team simply sees more upside with him. Either way, I don’t see a better spot on the schedule for a rookie quarterback like Sanders to step in than Week 7 against Miami. " – Brandon Little
I fully expect the Bears to face either rookie quarterback in this matchup. By Week 15, the only reason to still be playing Flacco or Pickett if if this team is some how still in playoff contention, which is unlikely.
Sleeper Rookie QB Game: Week 12 vs. Steelers
This one is obviously contingent on what happens with Aaron Rodgers, but for the time being, he's not on the Pittsburgh Steelers' roster. Right now, the Steelers' QB room consists of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and sixth-round rookie Will Howard. Saying Rodgers burns the Steelers, the avenue for Howard to potentially see the field as a rookie opens up a lot more as Rudolph's potential backup.
"Howard may never be a long-term starter. His ceiling might be a spot guy, that you throw in as a fringe starter when your number one is injured. But he has all the makings of someone who will hold down the number two role for a decade plus on a team. And with Howard, I wouldn't be surprised if he's occupying that role sooner rather than later with the Pittsburgh Steelers." – Rob Gregson
Overall, these 2-3 games give Dennis Allen some fresh meat for his unit to go up against. Best part is, all of these potential matchups would be played at Solider Field, a hostile environment for any young quarterback to play in.
Having an early bye week could actually have a hidden benefit for Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears’ new offense
This could actually work out well.
