49ers will open 2022 season at Chicago
San Francisco plays home opener against Seattle in Week 2
What does the 49ers’ season opener at the Chicago Bears mean?
Look beyond an enticing matchup of quarterbacks Trey Lance and Justin Fields — or even yet another homecoming for Jimmy Garoppolo if he stunningly keeps the 49ers’ job.
It could be a weekend bonanza for San Francisco sports fans, because the Giants are in town at the same time to face the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The 49ers and Bears kick off Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. Pacific, then the Giants will finish off their three-game set with the Cubs about an hour later.
The 49ers’ home opener comes the next Sunday, Sept. 18, at 1:05 p.m., when they host the Seattle Seahawks, who are 6-1 all-time at Levi’s Stadium — all with quarterback Russell Wilson, who was traded this offseason to Denver.
As for the season opener, all eyes will be on the 49ers’ and Bears’ quarterbacks from the 2021 draft class.
Lance was the No. 3 overall draft pick last year, and he’s projected to take over the 49ers’ quarterback reigns after starting two games as a rookie understudy to Garoppolo.
Fields was the No. 11 pick, and he went 2-8 as the Bears’ starter, including an Oct. 31 loss to Garoppolo and the 49ers. Fields threw for 175 yards and ran for 103 yards, with a touchdown both passing and rushing, in that 33-22 Bears loss. Lance did not play that game as Garoppolo passed for 322 yards and ran for two touchdowns.
Garoppolo remains on the 49ers’ roster after March shoulder surgery foiled a potential trade.
Here is the slate ahead of them, upon Thursday’s schedule release (all times PT):
WEEK 1: At Chicago Bears
Sunday, Sept. 11 (10 a.m.; FOX) WEEK 2: Vs. Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 18 (1:05 p.m., FOX) WEEK 3: At Denver Broncos
Sunday, Sept. 25 (5:20 p.m., NBC) WEEK 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams Monday, Oct. 3 (5:15 p.m., ESPN) WEEK 5: At Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 9 (1:05 p.m., CBS) WEEK 6: At Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, Oct. 16 (10 a.m., Fox)
WEEK 7: vs. Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Oct. 23 (1:25 p.m., Fox) WEEK 8: At Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Oct. 30 (1:25 p.m., Fox) WEEK 9: BYE
WEEK 10: vs. Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Nov. 13 (5:20 p.m., NBC) WEEK 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals Monday, Nov. 21 (5:15 p.m., ESPN) WEEK 12: vs. New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 27 (1:25 p.m., Fox) WEEK 13: vs. Miami Dolphins Sunday, Dec. 4 (1:05 p.m., Fox) WEEK 14: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, Dec. 11 (1:25 p.m., Fox) WEEK 15: At Seattle Seahawks Thursday, Dec. 15 (5:15 p.m., Prime Video)
WEEK 16: vs. Washington Commanders
Sunday, Dec. 24 (1:05 p.m. CBS) WEEK 17: At Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Jan. 1 (1:05 p.m., Fox) WEEK 18: Vs. Arizona Cardinals Saturday or Sunday, Jan. 7 or 8 (TBD)