The 2018 NFL Season is still a few months from its official kickoff date, but the opponents for all 32 clubs have already been set.
Aside from their divisional opponents, the Rams will face teams from the NFC North and AFC West. Plus, Los Angeles will take on the reigning division champions from the NFC East and NFC South.
In anticipation of the official schedule release date in mid-April, theRams.com will be taking an early look at each of club's opponents for next season.
CHICAGO BEARS
LOCATION:The Rams will travel to Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois to take on the Bears in 2018.
HEAD COACH:Matt Nagy enters the season as a first-year head coach. In 2017, Nagy served as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator where the club became just the second team ever to have a quarterback with 4,000 yards passing, a running back with 1,000 yards rushing, and a wide receiver and tight end with at least 1,000 yards receiving.
MATCHUP HISTORY:The Rams have faced the Bears 92 times, including two postseason contests in 1950 and 1986. The series spans more than 80 years with the first matchup between clubs taking place in 1937. But the Rams last met Chicago in 2014, when they took home a 37-13 loss.
2017 RECORD: The Bears posted a 5-11 record in 2017, finishing last in the NFC North.
**
Check out photos of the Rams taking on the Chicago Bears through the years .
"St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley during the game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"CHICAGO - DECEMBER 6: Brandon Gibson #11 of the St. Louis Rams runs with a reception against the Chicago Bears on December 6, 2009 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams running back Tre Mason during the game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and St. Louis Rams defensive end William Hayes during the game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"The St. Louis Rams defense gets set at the line of scrimmage against the Chicago Bears offense during a NFL football game on Nov. 24, 2013 in St. Louis. The Rams won, 42-21. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance)"
"St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and St. Louis Rams strong safety Maurice Alexander during the game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams Isaac Bruce scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during a game on November 18, 2002 in St. Louis. The Rams won, 21-16. (Photo by Bill Stover/St. Louis Rams)"
"ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 23: Chris Long #72 of the St. Louis Rams comes off the line against the Chicago Bears on November 23, 2008 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bears defeated the Rams 27-3. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams James Laurinaitis and Robert Quinn (94) make a tackle on Chicago Bears Matt Forte during a NFL football game on Nov. 24, 2013 in St. Louis. The Rams won, 42-21. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance)"
"St. Louis Rams Benny Cunningham dives in to score a touchdown during a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 24, 2013 in St. Louis. The Rams won, 42-21. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance)"
"St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley during the game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams center Tim Barnes and St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles during the game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams William Hayes makes a tackle against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game on Sunday, September 23, 2012 in Chicago. The Bears won the game 23-6. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance)"
"ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 23: The defense of the St. Louis Rams lines up against the Chicago Bears on November 23, 2008 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bears defeated the Rams 27-3. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"CHICAGO - DECEMBER 6: Chris Long #72 of the St. Louis Rams rushes in against the Chicago Bears on December 6, 2009 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and St. Louis Rams strong safety Maurice Alexander during the game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Nick Fairley and St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis during the game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley during the game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT?**
Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace wasted no time making improvements to the Bears offense though free agency. Chicago made several splashes in the first wave by signing four key players — wide receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, tight end Trey Burton, and quarterback Chase Daniel.
The most significant addition was that of Robinson, who was ranked No. 4 on the NFL's list of top free agents in 2018. The Pro Bowler recorded 202 catches for 2,848 yards and 22 touchdowns through his first four seasons with the Jaguars and should add a vertical threat to the Bears' receiving room.
Plus, in an effort to free up some extra salary-cap space, Chicago cut ties with outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and safety Quintin Demps.
WHAT ABOUT THE DRAFT?
While some mock drafts have Chicago selecting offensive guard Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame), others believe the Bears will be scouting a defensive player in the early rounds. Should the club stick with a defense-heavy first- and second-round mentality, the Bears may consider players like linebacker Roquan Smith (Georgia), inside linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (Boise State), or defensive end Lorenzo Carter (Georgia).
LOOK OUT FOR:
The improvement of the Bears' offense, and specifically second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky, in its first season under Nagy.
The last few years have not been kind to Chicago — with four-straight last place finishes in the division and no playoff appearances since 2010. But Nagy was a big part of Kansas City's revival in 2012, when the 2-14 Chiefs became an 11-5 team the following season. Moving towards the 2018 season, Nagy will be looking to do the same with the Bears.
