Neal: Story lines aplenty in Vikings-Bears showdown, but someone’s debut will be ruined

It’s interesting that J.J. McCarthy is approaching his enormous NFL debut in his hometown of Chicago on Monday night as “just a business trip.”

Because the man looking to beat McCarthy has given the Vikings the business over the last two years and can ruin his homecoming.

Ben Johnson has arrived in Chicago to save Bears football as head coach, and his résumé includes taking it to the Vikings as offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions.

Four games against a Brian Flores-led defense, four Lions wins. Four games in which Detroit scored 30, 30, 31 and 31 points.

So the debuts of both McCarthy and Johnson are on deck, making this an enthralling season opener from multiple perspectives.

The thought of possibly having a franchise quarterback is enough to make a fan base lose its mind. McCarthy’s rookie year was wiped out by injury, and the wait has just added to that anticipation. The only times we have been allowed to obsess over his talent have been a few snaps in the preseason and a live practice against the New England Patriots during which he torched them.

McCarthy, who grew up in suburban La Grange Park, Ill., will begin his career in the Windy City against the team he supported growing up. He has a strong roster around him, to the point where he won’t be asked much to win games with his arm.

Vikings fans praying that McCarthy is “The One” will finally get to see some proof, or reasons to be concerned, about that Monday.

How about the obsession over Johnson’s quest to pull the Bears out of decades of mostly inept quarterbacking?

He is rewiring Caleb Williams, who remains an unmolded lump of clay because of the bungling of the previous coaching staff. Johnson has rebuilt the playbook, strengthened the offensive line and added pass catchers.

Out of many story lines surrounding Monday’s matchup, this is my favorite: Someone is going to ruin someone’s debut.

Fingers will be crossed throughout Illinois and Minnesota.

Here are some other things I’m looking forward to when these NFC North rivals clash.

The Vikings reshaped the interior of their offensive line with the additions of Will Fries and Ryan Kelly and the drafting of Donovan Jackson. Guess what? The Bears reshaped their interior offensive line with the trades for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and the signing of Drew Dalman. Trench warfare will be fascinating Monday as the new Bears unit squares off against the Vikings front, and the Vikings’ improved line opens lanes for an enhanced running game. Fries vs. Grady Jarrett. Brian O’Neill vs. Montez Sweat. I can’t wait.

Allen, the new Bears defensive coordinator, was 26-53 as an NFL head coach, but his defenses have easily been in the top 10 in the league for most of his career. This creates a cat-and-mouse situation with Vikings play-caller Kevin O’Connell. Allen likes to blitz more than his defensive play-calling predecessor, Matt Eberflus. And he wants his secondary to play more aggressively. O’Connell, on the flip side, is committing to the run more than ever with the aforementioned new linemen and the addition of Jordan Mason to pair with Aaron Jones. Both teams will see some wrinkles they aren’t used to seeing from their rival.

Hopefully, the matchup between Pro Bowl players Justin Jefferson and Jaylon Johnson will occur. Jefferson, who was held out of practices with what was described as a hamstring issue, was not listed on injury reports last week. Johnson, a cornerback, suffered what he has called a “bad, bad” groin strain during the offseason and just returned to practice last week. He was limited in practice last week and listed as questionable on Sunday’s injury report. If Johnson can’t play, or is limited, this is a huge matchup advantage for the Vikings. Because the next man up would likely be Nahshon Wright, who appeared in one game for the Vikings last season.

This is a late story line entry. The playing surface Monday could be an issue, which wouldn’t be the first time at Soldier Field. Players have complained about the playing surface there through the years.

The NFL didn’t hold back with its Week 1 schedule. The Jets and Steelers faced their former quarterbacks. The Lions and Packers already were an intriguing matchup, but Micah Parsons was on the field. The Ravens and Bills might have been a preview of the AFC title game.