Dolphins, Bears Finish Preseason Opener in 24-24 Tie

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The Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears opened their 2025 preseason with an evenly matched contest that ended in a 24-24 tie on Sunday afternoon in Chicago. The game marked the debut of Bears head coach Ben Johnson and offered both teams a chance to evaluate talent in live action. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to preseason action for the first time since 2021, completing five of six passes for 27 yards on a 15-play opening drive. Despite moving the ball efficiently, the Dolphins failed to score when running back Jaylen Wright was stopped on fourth-and-goal by Bears linebacker Noah Sewell. Wright later found the end zone on a 7-yard run late in the first half. Backup quarterback Zach Wilson replaced Tagovailoa after the opening drive and completed five of nine passes for 96 yards, connecting on long completions to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Tahj Washington to set up two touchdowns. Quinn Ewers also saw significant playing time, going five of 18 for 91 yards. Ewers led an eight-play, 41-yard drive in the fourth quarter that ended with rookie running back Ollie Gordon scoring from one yard out to give Miami a 21-17 lead. The Bears’ defense was a highlight in Johnson’s first game as head coach. Rookie defensive end Austin Booker recorded three sacks, including a strip-sack deep in Dolphins territory that set up Case Keenum’s touchdown pass to rookie Deion Hankins. Kicker Cairo Santos also delivered, hitting a 57-yard field goal just before halftime to narrow Miami’s lead to 14-10.

Miami’s Jason Sanders tied the game at 24 with a 56-yard field goal with just over six minutes remaining. The Dolphins’ defense then stopped Chicago’s final drive at the Miami 41-yard line to preserve the tie. Both teams suffered injuries to key contributors. Miami running back Alexander Mattison left with a neck injury and did not return. Chicago lost rookie safety Major Burns to a knee injury, while running back Travis Homer (calf) and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (shoulder) also exited early. The Dolphins will travel to Detroit for joint practices before their Aug. 16 preseason game against the Lions. Chicago continues its preseason slate with a focus on building depth and improving offensive efficiency under its new head coach.