Kevin Byard has a simple explanation for Bears’ Week 1 loss

The Chicago Bears let a 17-6 lead slip away in the fourth quarter Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings, eventually falling to their division rivals 27-24 in front of their home crowd to kick off the 2025 regular season.

Despite a strong start and tons of momentum coming off a 74-yard pick-six from Nahshon Wright, the Bears weren’t able to finish the job, allowing the Vikings to claw their way back into the game and take a two-score lead of their own in the fourth quarter. A late Bears touchdown in the final minutes made the final score more respectable, but Chicago’s lackluster finish was painfully obvious for all to see.

Bears safety Kevin Byard spoke with the media Wednesday as the Bears prepare for another tough NFC North matchup this week against the Detroit Lions, and the former All-Pro had a simple explanation for how things unraveled for Chicago in the fourth quarter Monday night:

There are always growing pains for any NFL team that’s breaking in a new coaching staff and leaning on young players at key positions, and the Bears will certainly have their share with new head coach Ben Johnson and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, among others.

That makes veteran leaders like Byard particularly vital, as their years of experience can help younger players and new faces navigate those challenges and develop the mental and physical toughness to learn from them and improve in the future.

Here’s hoping Byard and the Bears are able to bounce back with an important win against a Lions team that’s coming off a disappointing division loss of their own from Week 1.