It's a date that still stings for Chicago Bears fans—Thanksgiving 2024. The Bears traveled to Detroit, hoping to snap a five-game losing streak, but instead walked away with a gut-wrenching loss and a head coach fired the next day. Now, the NFL schedule gods are giving them a chance at redemption.

According to leaks ahead of the official 2026 schedule release, the Bears are reportedly set to face the Lions again on Thanksgiving. It's the perfect stage for a rematch that could rewrite the narrative of one of the most painful afternoons in recent franchise history.

Let's rewind to that 2024 disaster. Down 23-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Bears mounted a furious comeback. Caleb Williams, then a rookie, engineered two touchdown drives while the Lions went ice cold. With 3:31 left, Williams had the ball and a chance to steal the win. He delivered chunk plays—25 yards, 14 yards, a 12-yard scramble—moving the Bears into striking distance. But a sack on second-and-20 derailed everything. Facing third-and-26 from the Lions' 41 with 32 seconds left, Williams couldn't get the snap off until six seconds remained. His desperation heave to Rome Odunze fell incomplete. The clock had been mismanaged, and head coach Matt Eberflus—who still had a timeout in his pocket—watched it all unfold without intervening. He was fired the next day.

That bitter ending, however, paved the way for a brighter future. The Bears landed head coach Ben Johnson, and the turnaround was swift. Chicago won the NFC North and even knocked off the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. Now, with Johnson at the helm and a roster that's proven it can win big games, the Bears return to Ford Field with everything to gain.

This Thanksgiving showdown isn't just about revenge—it's about reclaiming control in the NFC North. Since 2022, the Lions have dominated this rivalry, winning seven of the last eight meetings. But the Bears are no longer the team that crumbled under pressure. They're a squad with a new identity, a proven coach, and a quarterback who's grown by leaps and bounds.

Thanksgiving football is about tradition, family, and unforgettable moments. For Bears fans, last year's memory is one they'd rather forget. This year? It's a prime shot at redemption—and a chance to make new memories that will last a lifetime.