For the Chicago Bears, television coverage will play a significant role in their upcoming NFL season. Despite finishing last year with only five wins, the team has been given several high-profile games by league schedule makers. The season opener will be on “Monday Night Football” for the first time since 1997, and other national slots include Fox’s “America’s Game of the Week,” another appearance on “MNF,” a Black Friday game, and the final regular-season game on “Sunday Night Football.”
Two years ago, under former coach Matt Eberflus, the Bears started with four losses before a modest turnaround. Despite struggles and calls from viewers to move some Bears games out of prime-time slots due to performance concerns, those games remained in place.
Looking at this year’s broadcast lineup for Sunday afternoon games during Weeks 1-3, some crews have already been determined. For national broadcasts outside those weeks, predictions are based on current crew assignments and historical preferences.
Week 1’s matchup against the Vikings will air at 7:15 p.m. on ABC/ESPN with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Lisa Salters calling the game. Other predicted matchups include Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, and Megan Olivi handling Week 2 (Lions), while Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews, and Tom Rinaldi are set for Week 3 (Cowboys). CBS coverage is expected for select weeks including Tom McCarthy and Ross Tucker handling Week 4 (Raiders) and Ian Eagle, JJ Watt, Evan Washburn covering Week 8 (Ravens).
Fox’s Adam Amin, Mark Sanchez, and Kristina Pink are projected to call multiple home games this season. CBS may assign top crews such as Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson (notably Week 12 against the Steelers). NBC will feature Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark in Week 17 for “Sunday Night Football.” Prime Video is scheduled to carry Week 13’s Black Friday contest at Philadelphia with Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit and Kaylee Hartung.
Late in the season flex scheduling remains possible but recent history shows limited adjustments from networks or the league even if viewer interest drops.
Outside of NFL broadcast details, changes were also announced for ESPN 1000’s radio lineup effective Sept. 2 to make space for “The Rich Eisen Show.” WGN TV and Marquee Sports Network will air Ryne Sandberg’s funeral service on Friday morning. The Score radio station reached an agreement to continue broadcasting the Chicago Marathon set for Oct. 12.
A full breakdown of network broadcast crews was provided for both CBS—featuring names like Jim Nantz and Ian Eagle—and Fox—including Kevin Burkhardt with new analyst Tom Brady—as they prepare to cover Bears games throughout the season.
