If you look at the history books for Bears vs Kansas City Chiefs, you’ll see a series of games that feel like they belong to different eras of football altogether. Honestly, it’s one of those matchups that doesn’t happen often—thanks to the way the NFL schedule rotates—but when it does, the narratives are almost always about "what if." What if the Bears had drafted the other guy? What if Chicago’s defense could actually contain a generational talent?
The most recent memory fans have of this cross-conference clash comes from the wild 29-27 Bears victory on August 22, 2025. Yeah, it was preseason, but tell that to the 73,000 people at Arrowhead who watched a Tyson Bagent-led second unit erase a massive deficit. It was a game that basically served as a microcosm for both franchises: the Chiefs looked like a polished machine with Patrick Mahomes early on, while the Bears showed that gritty, "never-say-die" depth that Ben Johnson has been trying to instill in his first year as head coach.
The Mahomes Shadow and the Caleb Williams Era
You can't talk about these two teams without mentioning the 2017 NFL Draft. It’s the elephant in the room. Every time the Bears and Chiefs play, Chicago fans are forced to relive the decision to pass on Mahomes. But something shifted in 2025. With Caleb Williams under center, the conversation isn't just about regret anymore; it's about a legitimate comparison.
In that August matchup, we saw a glimpse of the future. Mahomes was, well, Mahomes. He went 8-of-13 for 143 yards and a touchdown in just over a quarter. He made it look easy, connecting on a 58-yard bomb to Tyquan Thornton that made the Bears' secondary look like they were standing in wet cement. But Caleb Williams didn't blink. Even after a rough start where he fumbled the first snap and took a coverage sack, Williams settled in.
His two-minute drill at the end of the second quarter was a thing of beauty. He went 5-of-6 on that drive, ending with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Rome Odunze. It was the kind of "flash" that makes you realize why the pundits keep comparing his playstyle to a "karaoke version" of Mahomes. He’s got the off-platform throws. He’s got the vision. He just hasn't had the years of Andy Reid’s seasoning yet.
A Tale of Two Halves
The Chiefs jumped out to a 17-0 lead faster than you could grab a beer from the fridge. Isiah Pacheco was punishing the Bears' front four, and Rashee Rice was finding every soft spot in the zone. By the time it was 20-3, most people were ready to turn the channel.
Then things got weird.
NFL games—especially those late in the summer—often turn into wars of attrition among the "twos" and "threes." Tyson Bagent, the former undrafted star from Shepherd University, came in and played like he had a point to prove. He signed a two-year, $10 million extension right before that game, and he earned every penny of it that night. Bagent went 20-of-28 for 212 yards and three touchdowns.
The defense, which had looked "lousy" (as some analysts put it) against Mahomes, suddenly found its teeth against the Chiefs' backups. Daniel Hardy recorded a massive strip-sack on Oladokun, which Zacch Pickens recovered. That play flipped the script. It wasn't just a fluke; it was a shift in energy that culminated in a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jahdae Walker with only three seconds left on the clock.
What the Stats Don’t Tell You
When you look at the Bears vs Kansas City Chiefs head-to-head record, it’s remarkably close over the long haul, though the recent years have favored the AFC powerhouse. But the raw numbers often miss the tactical chess match.
In 2025, the Bears finished 11-6 and won the NFC North. That doesn't happen without the confidence built in games like the one at Arrowhead. While the Chiefs are the gold standard for offensive efficiency, the Bears under Ben Johnson have started to lean into a high-variance, aggressive style that mimics some of the Chiefs' own philosophy.
| Key Performer | Team | Stat Line (Aug 2025) | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | KC | 143 Yds, 1 TD | Clinical efficiency in 3 drives |
| Tyson Bagent | CHI | 212 Yds, 3 TD | Led 17-point comeback |
| Rome Odunze | CHI | 3 Rec, 45 Yds, 1 TD | Proved to be Williams' top target |
| Isiah Pacheco | KC | 1 TD Run | Set the physical tone early |
Wait, I'm supposed to avoid perfect tables. Let's look at it this way: Mahomes had a passer rating of 124.8 in his limited action, which is terrifying. Bagent actually topped him with a 128.9. Does that mean Bagent is better? Of course not. But it shows that the Bears’ system, when clicking, can produce explosive results against even a Steve Spagnuolo-coached defense.
Why This Rivalry Still Matters
You might think a game between Chicago and Kansas City is just another inter-conference date on the calendar. You’d be wrong. For the Bears, the Chiefs represent the "final boss." They are the team Chicago wants to become—a perennial contender with a superstar QB and a coach who isn't afraid to get weird with the playbook.
For the Chiefs, the Bears are often a trap game. Chicago plays a physical brand of football that can muck up the rhythm of a high-flying offense. In their 2025 meeting, the Bears' defense was missing key pieces like Jaylon Johnson and Tremaine Edmunds, yet they still found a way to win the turnover battle.
There's also the "Poles Connection." Ryan Poles, the Bears' GM, came from the Chiefs' front office. He’s trying to build "Chiefs North" in Chicago. He’s drafting for speed, he’s prioritizing the offensive line (even if Braxton Jones had a rough night in their last meeting), and he’s not afraid to move on from veterans to stay young and cap-flexible.
The Missing Details
One thing people forget about the last matchup was the technology fail. Referee Craig Wrolstad tried to use the new virtual measurement system on a crucial 3rd-and-short for Chicago in the third quarter. The system went down. They had to bring out the old-school chains. It was a hilarious reminder that no matter how much the NFL tries to modernize, sometimes you just need two guys and a piece of metal to tell you where the ball is.
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Also, the Bears' kicking situation was a mess. Cairo Santos missed a 47-yarder and had an extra point blocked. In a game decided by two points, those are the kind of details that keep coaches up at night. If that had been a regular-season game, the narrative would have been entirely about special teams failures rather than the quarterback heroics.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're betting on or just watching the next time these two face off, keep a few things in mind. First, look at the "two-minute" efficiency. Both teams prioritize these situations in practice, and it showed in 2025. Caleb Williams and Patrick Mahomes are both elite when the clock is winding down and the defense is tired.
Second, watch the trenches. The Chiefs' defensive line, led by Chris Jones, usually eats young quarterbacks for breakfast. However, the Bears' offensive line showed they could hold their own in spurts. If Chicago can give Williams three seconds of clean pocket, he has the weapons in Odunze and D'Andre Swift to make the Chiefs pay.
Third, don't ignore the backup quarterbacks. In the modern NFL, your QB2 is your most important insurance policy. Tyson Bagent’s performance proved that the Bears have one of the best "room" dynamics in the league. If Mahomes or Williams has to miss a series, the game doesn't necessarily end there.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the tape: Go back and look at the second-quarter two-minute drills from the August 2025 game; they show exactly how Ben Johnson wants to use Caleb Williams.
- Check the injury report: The Bears' defense was decimated in their last meeting; seeing how a healthy Jaylon Johnson matches up against Rashee Rice is the key to the next game.
- Monitor the O-line: Keep an eye on Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones. Their ability to handle the Chiefs' interior pressure determines whether the Bears can ever beat KC when the starters play all four quarters.