The Chicago Bears will kick their 2021 campaign off with veteran quarterback Andy Dalton leading the way, with their first game coming in prime time against the Los Angeles Rams.
In 2021, Bears games will be televised on Fox (9 games), CBS (4 games), NBC (2 games) or ESPN (2 games).
If you don’t have cable, here are some different ways you can watch a live stream of every Bears game online:
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If You’re in the Bears Market
Note: Any nationally televised games are considered “in-market” for everyone in the United States
FuboTV
Bears Channels Included: Fox, Fox 4K, CBS, NBC, ESPN (Fox, CBS and NBC are live in most, but not all, markets)
Other NFL Channels Included: NFL Network, NFL RedZone (RedZone is in the “Sports Plus” add-on)
You can watch a live stream of every Bears game with a subscription to FuboTV’s “Starter” package (100+ total channels). If you also want NFL RedZone, both the main channel package and the “Sports Plus” add-on can be included in your free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch Bears games live on the FuboTV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the FuboTV website.
If you can’t watch live, FuboTV comes with 250 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as a 72-hour look-back feature, which allows you to watch most games (not those on ESPN) on-demand within three days of their conclusion, even if you don’t record them.
DirecTV Stream
Bears Channels Included: Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN (Fox, CBS and NBC are live in most, but not all, markets)
Other NFL Channels Included: None
You can watch every Bears game with a subscription to DirecTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV). Fox, CBS, NBC and ESPN are included in every channel bundle, but you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free 14-day trial.
Note that the free trial isn’t advertised as such, but your “due today” amount will be $0 when signing up. If you watch on your computer, phone or tablet, you won’t be charged for 14 days. If you watch on a streaming device on your TV (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc.), you will be charged for the first month, but you can get still get a full refund if you cancel before 14 days:
Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch Bears games live on the DirecTV Stream app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the DirecTV Stream website.
If you can’t watch live, DirecTV Stream also comes with 20 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to unlimited hours).
Vidgo
Bears Channels Included: Fox, ESPN (Fox is only live in some select markets)
Other NFL Channels Included: NFL Network, NFL RedZone
You can watch a live stream of most Bears games (no CBS or NBC) with a subscription to Vidgo (95+ total channels). This option doesn’t include a free trial, but it’s the cheapest long-term streaming service with NFL RedZone, and you can get your first month for just $10:
Once signed up for Vidgo, you can watch Bears games live on the Vidgo app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Vidgo website.
Hulu With Live TV
Bears Channels Included: Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN (Fox, CBS and NBC are live in most, but not all, markets)
Other NFL Channels Included: NFL Network
You can watch a live stream of every Bears game with a subscription to Hulu With Live TV (65+ total channels). It comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch Bears games live on the Hulu app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, Nintendo Switch, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Hulu website.
If you can’t watch live, Hulu with Live TV also comes with 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
Sling TV
Bears Channels Included: Fox, NBC, ESPN (Fox and NBC are only live in some select markets)
Other NFL Channels Included: NFL Network, NFL RedZone (RedZone is in the “Sports Extra” add-on)
You can watch a live stream of most Bears games (no CBS) with a subscription to Sling TV’s “Sling Orange + Blue” channel package (45+ total channels). If you also want NFL RedZone, you’ll need to add the “Sports Extra” add-on. This option doesn’t include a free trial, but you can get your first month for $20 (Orange + Blue) or $35 (with Sports Extra):
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch Bears games live on the Sling TV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), airTV Mini, Oculus, Portal, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Sling TV website.
If you can’t watch live, Sling TV comes included with 50 hours of cloud DVR.
Games on CBS: Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime subscribers (Prime comes with a 30-day free trial) can watch a live stream of their local CBS station via the Prime Paramount+ channel (“Premium” plan). You can try both Amazon Prime and the Paramount+ Channel at no cost with a free trial right here:
Once you’re signed up for the Prime Paramount+ Channel, you can watch in-market NFL CBS games live on the Amazon Video app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, various smart TV’s, Xiaomi, Echo Show or Echo Spot, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch on your computer via the Amazon website.
If You’re out of the Bears Market
SundayTicket.TV
You can watch a live stream of every out-of-market, non-nationally televised NFL game via SundayTicket.TV. Unfortunately, the service is only available for people who live in residences where DirecTV satellite isn’t available (apartments, condos, etc.), residents of a few select metropolitan cities or college students. You can check your eligibilty and sign up here:
Once signed up, out-of-market fans can watch Bears games live on the NFL Sunday Ticket app on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), Samsung Smart TV, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the NFL Sunday Ticket website.
DirecTV
Note that this is different from “DirecTV Stream,” which is a live-streaming service that comes with no contract and doesn’t offer SundayTicket in any of its packages.
DirecTV is a cable option, which comes with a contract, but it’s worth mentioning here since it’s the only other way to get SundayTicket and watch live out-of-market games in the United States. Plus, DirecTV is currently offering SundayTicket included at no extra cost with their “Choice” ($69.99 per month) and above TV bundles:
Once signed up for DirecTV, you can watch Bears games live on the DirecTV app on your iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the DirecTV website.
If You’re in Canada
DAZN
Viewers in Canada can watch a live stream of every regular season and postseason NFL game via DAZN, which comes with a free trial:
Once signed up, viewers in Canada can watch Bears games live on the DAZN app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Samsung Smart TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game on your computer via the DAZN website.
Bears 2021 Season Preview
With Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles under center last year, the Bears averaged 344.9 yards and 23.1 points a game. Now, Andy Dalton will get the nod, with rookie Justin Fields backing him up. Calls for Fields to start have been deafening, but Bears head coach Matt Nagy has ignored them in favor of the more experienced Dalton.
“That’s the worst thing you can do is look over your shoulder,” Dalton said about the hype surrounding Fields. “We’re talking about tuning out the stuff you don’t need to focus on and knowing where you need to put your time and effort and all that kind of stuff. I think that’s just where I’m at. You don’t worry about all the other stuff.”
Running back David Montgomery emerged in the second half of the season, and helped lead a Bears attack that averaged 4.1 yards per carry and 102.9 yards a game.
Montgomery had his first 1,000-yard season in 2020, and he is said to have gotten quicker this offseason. If Bears head coach Matt Nagy, who is back to calling the plays, tries to get the bruising running back 20 carries a game, the Bears offense may not be half bad.
Much depends on the offensive line, of course. With starters Germain Ifedi, Sam Mustipher, Cody Whitehair, James Daniels and the 39-year-old Jason Peters at left tackle, there are all kinds of questions about whether the group will be able to hold up for a full 17-game season. They’ll be key to the team’s success this year.
On defense, Chicago gave up 23.1 points and 344.9 yards per game last season. The Bears allowed opposing quarterbacks a 94.9 rating, and they snagged just 10 interceptions as a group. They managed 35 sacks, and with the likes of Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks and Robert Quinn, they’re looking to bring that number up this year.
Chicago has a new defensive coordinator in Sean Desai, a disciple of former Bears DC and current Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio. Desai should bring some interesting blitz packages, and is excited to get his first season as defensive coordinator started.
“I take pride in my preparation. I take pride in being organized. I hope our coaches feel that. And I think our players will continue to see that.,” Desai said heading into the season. “We have answers. And we know where potential problems lie. And if (the opponent) gets us into a problem, that’s OK. That’s what this league is. It’s a chess match between offenses and defenses.”
Here’s a look at the Bears’ 2021 schedule. All times are Central Standard:
- Week 1: Bears at Rams, Sunday, Sept. 12, 7:20 p.m.
- Week 2: Bengals at Bears, Sunday, Sept. 19, noon
- Week 3: Bears at Browns, Sunday, Sept. 26, noon
- Week 4: Lions at Bears, Sunday, Oct. 3, noon
- Week 5: Bears at Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 10, 3:05 p.m.
- Week 6: Packers at Bears, Sunday, Oct. 17, noon
- Week 7: Bears at Buccaneers, Sunday, Oct. 24, 3:25 p.m.
- Week 8: 49ers at Bears, Sunday, Oct. 31, noon
- Week 9: Bears at Steelers, Monday, Nov. 8, 7:15 p.m.
- Week 10: Bye week
- Week 11: Ravens at Bears, Sunday, Nov. 21, noon
- Week 12: Bears at Lions, Thursday, Nov. 25, 11:30 a.m.
- Week 13: Cardinals at Bears, Sunday, Dec. 5, noon
- Week 14: Bears at Packers, Sunday, Dec. 12, 7:20 p.m.
- Week 15: Vikings at Bears, Monday, Dec. 20, 7:15 p.m.
- Week 16: Bears at Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 26, 3:05 p.m.
- Week 17: Giants at Bears, Sunday, Jan. 2, noon
- Week 18: Bears at Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 9, noon