(Vikings.com) The historic duo of international games for the Minnesota Vikings isn’t the team’s only double dip in 2025.
It turns out the Vikings will have prime time X 2 in visiting the Chicago Bears in Week 1 and hosting the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 to open the 2025 NFL schedule.
It will be just the second instance of Minnesota opening with back-to-back appearances in prime time first since 1981.
The Vikings will open the 2025 season and era with J.J. McCarthy as the starting quarterback by visiting his hometown. ESPN and ABC will simulcast Monday Night Football in what should be the 2024 No. 10 overall pick’s first regular-season start, as well as the head coaching debut of Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. Johnson has been joined with QB Caleb Williams, the 2024 top pick.
The young QB matchup talk is likely to continue from McCarthy and Williams in Week 1 into Week 2 when Minnesota faces Michael Penix, Jr., on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
Penix was drafted at No. 8 overall in 2024 and started three games last season after the Falcons pivoted from former Viking Kirk Cousins.
Justin Jefferson will finally play host to former LSU teammates Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in Week 3 when the Cincinnati Bengals visit for Minnesota’s only noon (CT) kickoff in its first five games.
