NFL football is officially back in Chicago, and today, Saturday, August 15, 2026, the Chicago Bears will welcome the Cleveland Browns to Soldier Field for their first preseason game of 2026.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT — 1:00 p.m. ET in Chicago.

Even though the standings will not count yet, this preseason opener carries plenty of intrigue.

Both organizations enter the afternoon with roster decisions to make, young players fighting for opportunities and coaches finally getting a chance to evaluate their teams against a real opponent.

For Bears fans wondering where to watch, the game will be carried locally by the Chicago Bears Network on FOX 32 Chicago and nationally on NFL Network. Streaming options include ChicagoBears.com and the Chicago Bears App in eligible television markets, while NFL+ is also available subject to geographic restrictions. Bears radio coverage will air on ESPN Chicago 1000 AM and 100.3 FM HD2.

Cleveland fans can watch the game locally on the Browns’ television network, with the Browns’ official schedule listing WEWS News 5 for the matchup. Radio coverage is available through 850 ESPN Cleveland and 98.5 WNCX, while Browns.com and the Browns mobile app provide additional in-market coverage options.

But television information is only part of the story.

One of the biggest developments surrounding Chicago’s opener is the decision involving Caleb Williams.

Bears coach Ben Johnson has elected to keep Williams and a number of Chicago’s other starters out of the preseason opener.

That means fans should expect significant playing time for backups, younger players and those fighting for positions on the final roster.

For Chicago, that puts a major spotlight on quarterback Tyson Bagent.

Bagent enters his fourth season with the Bears and has appeared in 12 regular-season games with four starts.

With Williams sitting out, this preseason matchup becomes another valuable opportunity for Bagent to operate the offense and demonstrate why the Bears continue to value him as their backup quarterback.

There are several other Chicago players worth watching closely.

Wide receiver Jahdae Walker will have an opportunity to build on the progress he showed last season, while running back Salvon Ahmed is competing for a role behind D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.

On defense, players such as Austin Booker will have meaningful preseason snaps to prove they deserve expanded roles once the regular season arrives.

The Browns, meanwhile, bring an entirely different quarterback storyline to Soldier Field.

Cleveland head coach Todd Monken has named Deshaun Watson the starter for today’s preseason opener, with Watson expected to receive substantial playing time as the Browns continue evaluating their quarterback situation.

Shedeur Sanders is also expected to play, while Sanders is scheduled to start Cleveland’s second preseason game against Buffalo on August 22.

Monken has indicated that Watson and Sanders could each play roughly a half against Chicago, giving Cleveland’s coaching staff an extended opportunity to evaluate both quarterbacks in real game situations.

The Browns have alternated first-team practice opportunities between the two during training camp, making preseason performances another important part of that evaluation process.

That quarterback competition alone gives Browns fans a strong reason to watch every offensive possession.

Cleveland will also get its first game look at a significantly reshaped offensive line.

The Browns added veteran linemen including Tytus Howard, Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson, while also drafting tackle Spencer Fano with the ninth overall pick.

How quickly that group begins working together could be one of the more important long-term storylines to emerge from the preseason.

There is also some recent history between these teams that Chicago fans will remember very well.

The Bears and Browns last met during the 2025 regular season on December 14 at Soldier Field, and Chicago dominated the afternoon with a 31-3 victory.

Caleb Williams threw two touchdown passes to DJ Moore, D’Andre Swift scored twice on the ground and the Bears defense intercepted three passes while keeping Cleveland out of the end zone.

Chicago finished with a 361-192 advantage in total offense.

The circumstances are obviously different this time.

This is preseason football, so the primary objective is not simply winning the scoreboard.

Coaches will be evaluating execution, communication, depth and individual performances as they continue moving toward final roster decisions.

For Chicago, the afternoon offers players behind the established starters a chance to make themselves impossible to ignore.

Every reception, pressure, special-teams tackle and mistake could influence how the coaching staff views a roster battle.

That is why preseason football can become surprisingly dramatic.

A veteran backup may be trying to secure his role.

A late-round draft pick could be attempting to earn meaningful snaps.

An undrafted player may have only a handful of opportunities to convince coaches he belongs on the roster.

For Cleveland, the stakes surrounding the quarterback room make the opener particularly fascinating.

Watson gets the first opportunity to lead the offense, while Sanders will have his own chance to respond when he takes the field.

Monken has made clear that the evaluation process is continuing, meaning every preseason possession provides additional evidence for the Browns’ coaching staff.

Chicago will have its own evaluation process underway, but Bears fans should not expect to see the regular-season version of Ben Johnson’s team just yet.

With Williams and many established starters being held out, today’s game is primarily a showcase for depth and development.

Still, Soldier Field should provide a familiar NFL atmosphere as football returns to Chicago.

So if you are planning your game day, here are the most important details: Chicago Bears vs Cleveland Browns, Saturday, August 15, 2026, kickoff at 12:00 p.m.

CT / 1:00 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.

Watch on FOX 32 Chicago locally or NFL Network nationally, with additional streaming options available through the Bears’ official platforms and NFL+.

The preseason may only be beginning, but there is already plenty to follow.

For the Bears, it is an opportunity to evaluate the next wave of players behind Caleb Williams and the established starters.

For Cleveland, all eyes will be on the quarterback competition and how Watson and Sanders perform when the pressure becomes real.

The helmets are back on, Soldier Field is ready, and Bears vs Browns is here.

Don’t miss the first major test of the 2026 preseason.