Miami Dolphins vs Chicago Bears

On a sweltering August afternoon at Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins opened their 2025 preseason in front of an eager crowd, battling to a dramatic 24–24 tie—a rarity in today’s NFL since overtime was scrapped for preseason games. Miami struck first with Tua Tagovailoa leading a crisp, controlled 15-play opening drive, only to be denied by a ferocious Bears goal-line stand anchored by linebacker Noah Sewell. The breakthrough came later in the second quarter when Jaylen Wright bulldozed his way in from the one-yard line, setting the tone for an afternoon of back-and-forth football.

The Bears wasted little time responding, with backup quarterback Tyson Bagent stepping in for rookie Caleb Williams and showing poise beyond his years. He connected with Maurice Alexander for a leaping 4-yard touchdown grab in the back of the end zone, igniting the Chicago faithful. Cairo Santos nearly added a long-range highlight before halftime, missing a 57-yard field goal by a matter of inches. The momentum shift hinted that the Bears’ depth could keep pace with Miami’s early starters.

Veteran Case Keenum took over in the second half and delivered two touchdowns that temporarily swung the game in Chicago’s favor—a 4-yard toss to Deion Hankins and a perfectly placed 15-yard strike to Jahdae Walker. The Dolphins’ defense appeared on the ropes, but Miami’s reserves weren’t ready to fold. Zach Wilson entered the huddle and injected fresh energy into the offense, launching deep completions to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Tahj Washington, sparking a final push that brought the Dolphins roaring back.

The Bears’ defense was relentless in their pass rush, piling up six sacks on the afternoon. Austin Booker was the standout, recording three sacks and consistently collapsing the pocket, while Zacch Pickens, Dominique Robinson, and Alex Cook all made their mark—Cook’s strip-sack and recovery proving especially crucial. Yet, even with that pressure, the Dolphins found enough rhythm late to set up Jason Sanders’ booming 56-yard field goal with just over six minutes remaining, knotting the score at 24 apiece.

As the final minutes ticked away, both defenses tightened, and Miami halted Chicago’s last attempt to regain the lead. With no overtime, the game ended in a stalemate—an uncommon and oddly satisfying result for a preseason opener. The afternoon offered plenty for coaches to evaluate: promising young talent, veteran stability, and big-play potential on both sides. For the fans, it was an August game that felt far more competitive than a typical warm-up, hinting at intriguing storylines to come when the regular season kicks off.