Chicago Bears fans tailgate at Soldier Field

They were strangers decked out in Bears gear as they commiserated about last season and expressed hope for this season on a CTA bus to Soldier Field Sunday morning. But they continued bonding as they filed to the tailgates on the south side of the stadium and became so much more. They were united as Bears fans.

By 9 a.m., the festivities on Waldron Deck were in full swing ahead of a noon kickoff against the Tennessee Titans. The crisp fall air wafted the smell of cooking meat in every direction.

“Today is an Italian beef day,” declared Jaye Beasley. The 55-year-old South Side resident has been a season ticket holder for 17 years and always matches his tailgate food to the weather. He easily had enough sandwiches to feed a small army and was eager to dish them out to other fans who shared his confidence that the Bears would make the playoffs this season.

There was already a sea of people proudly donning 18 on their chests: the number of the Bears’ rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams.

After a promising preseason showing, fans are eager to see if this first-round draft pick can bring the Bears long-awaited success alongside new offensive weapons D’Andre Swift and Gerald Everett.

Other longtime fans responded to roster shifts with some creativity.

Brandon Reis, 26, of Genesco, was one of the many who used duct tape to replace former quarterback Justin Fields’ name on his No. 1 jersey with “Johnson.” Cornerback Jaylon Johnson took Fields’ number this year after the Bears traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what Williams brings to the field and Johnson was great last year,” said Reis, who was hanging out in the Vizzy Fan Zone with his parents and sister before the game.

Michael DiBartolomeo, 50, opted for an orange mohawk and blue and orange face paint instead of a Williams jersey or makeshift Johnson jersey. He’s been traveling from Rio Vista, Texas, for nearly every home game for the last 21 years.

“I’m excited because I think we have a future,” he said. “We haven’t had a future for a long time.”

DiBartolomeo has stuck with the team through the rough years. “It feels like family,” he said.

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He recalled many chance encounters he’s had with management and players’ families throughout the years and fondly recalls bringing his son Dixon to his first Bears game when he was 9 months old. The two of them have gone to every opening game together since.

“It’s just been such a tradition in my life. It’s much more than football. The family that we built, these people watched me grow up,” said Dixon, now 21, pointing to a man sporting a blue mohawk that complemented his father’s. They met him during Dixon’s first game.

Meanwhile, the only things Charlie DeHaven wanted for his 11th birthday were a ticket to the Bears game and, of course, a win.

The Valparaiso native wore Williams’ old jersey from his time at the University of Southern California and believed the rookie quarterback could deliver his second wish.

“I like the Bears a lot!” he exclaimed as he walked into the stadium with his parents and brother.