Ben Johnson and Bears Stars Join Hallmark Holiday Movie

The Chicago Bears are trading the gridiron for holiday romance in Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story, a Hallmark Channel movie packed with familiar faces from the organization. Head coach Ben Johnson, tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland, franchise legends, and even members of the Payton family will appear as themselves in the festive production.

The movie was filmed entirely in Chicago and premieres October 17. For Bears fans who thought training camp was the only place to see their favorite players this summer, this unexpected Hallmark crossover might just be the most surprising touchdown of the season.

The Bears Are Officially Getting the Hallmark Treatment

There’s something oddly delightful about seeing a tough NFL franchise wrapped up in Christmas lights and Hallmark movie magic. The Bears are now the third NFL team to join Hallmark’s Holiday Touchdown universe, after earlier films with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.

Chicago is bringing its own flavor to the screen. The movie isn’t just set around the team or sprinkled with a few navy-and-orange nods—real Bears personnel and beloved figures from the franchise’s past are actually in it.

It’s the sort of fan-service spectacle where you’ll probably end up pausing every other scene to spot someone you recognize. That’s not something you get in your average holiday romance flick.

Ben Johnson Steps Into His First Acting Role

Bears coach Ben Johnson is usually busy with football, but this summer, he stepped into a whole new arena. He filmed a brief appearance for the movie, playing himself alongside Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland.

Johnson joked that he and Kmet spent the offseason in acting classes to get ready, while Loveland just had a natural knack for it. It’s a playful side of the Bears you don’t really see during the grind of the NFL season.

For Johnson, showing up in a holiday movie is a pretty memorable way to kick off his Bears tenure. Coaches are usually all business—especially during training camp—so this cameo lets fans catch a rare lighter moment.

Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland Bring Tight End Energy to the Screen

Having Kmet and Loveland in the film ties it right to the current Bears roster. Both tight ends pop up in small roles as themselves, bringing some real football vibes to a project that’s all about the Bears and Chicago.

Kmet’s cameo is especially fun because he’s not just standing next to a fictional Bears character. He’s part of a real production, filmed at real Bears locations, with his actual coach and teammate nearby.

That kind of overlap is bound to make the movie feel personal for fans who follow every move at Halas Hall. It’s not every day you see your team’s tight ends on a Hallmark set.

Loveland Was Apparently Born Ready for the Camera

Johnson might’ve joked about acting prep, but Loveland didn’t seem to need any. The rookie tight end was called a natural, so fans might want to keep an eye out for him when the movie drops.

Will the football stars deliver big speeches or just pop up in a festive stadium scene? Hard to say, but Hallmark cameos have a way of turning into social-media gold, especially when athletes are involved. Sometimes a few seconds is all it takes to become a fan favorite.

• Ben Johnson makes his acting debut as himself.
• Cole Kmet joins the cast in a small cameo role.
• Colston Loveland also appears as himself and earns early praise for his on-camera ease.
• The Bears’ scenes were filmed at Soldier Field, Halas Hall, and locations around downtown Chicago.

Bears Legends Will Make This a Must-Watch for Longtime Fans

The current roster isn’t the only draw. Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story also features Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Hampton and Mike Singletary, along with former cornerback Charles Tillman.

Connie Payton, the widow of Bears legend Walter Payton, is in the film too. Her presence adds another layer of meaning for fans who know their Bears history.

This project isn’t just about the present—it’s clearly trying to honor the people and moments that made the Bears such a big deal in Chicago.

Chicago Itself May Be the Movie’s Biggest Star

One of the coolest details: the whole production was filmed in Chicago. Hallmark’s known for those warm, glowing holiday settings, but this movie gets to use the city’s real landmarks and atmosphere.

The Bears filmed at Soldier Field, Halas Hall, and all over downtown, giving the movie an authenticity you just can’t fake on a soundstage. Crews even shot Christmas scenes at a recreated Christkindlmarket, bringing a classic Chicago tradition into the mix.

That local flavor could turn this into a seasonal comfort watch for Chicagoans. It’s packed with places fans know from game days, team history, and all those unforgettable football memories.

The Cast Is Stacked With Hallmark Favorites and Familiar Faces

Lyndsy Fonseca and Robert Buckley star in the film, and they’re both right at home with Hallmark’s cozy vibe. Marsha Mason, Khary Payton, and Barbara Alyn Woods round out the main cast, so it’s a strong group even before you add the football cameos.

There are also appearances from Marilu Henner, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Dyon Mojo Brooks, and Jake Connelly. With all the Hallmark regulars, TV personalities, Bears players, coaches, and legendary alumni, it’s shaping up to be the kind of movie where you’re constantly nudging whoever’s next to you and saying, “Wait, is that who I think it is?”

Why This Could Be Hallmark’s Most Talked-About NFL Movie Yet

The Chiefs and Bills have already entered the Holiday Touchdown world. Coaches Andy Reid and Sean McDermott even showed up in their own team-themed films.

But the Bears? They bring something different to the table. There’s that old-school football tradition, a fan base that’s basically legendary, and the unmistakable Chicago backdrop.

Plus, there’s this new coaching era that’s already got people talking. It’s almost hard to imagine a better setting for a Hallmark twist.

And let’s be honest, the novelty here is off the charts. Watching a coach like Johnson or players like Kmet and Loveland pop up in a Christmas romance? That’s the kind of wild crossover that gets group texts buzzing and memes flying all over Twitter.

No one’s sure if their screen time will be a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo or something more. Either way, Bears fans are probably marking their calendars already.

Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story premieres October 17 on the Hallmark Channel. It’ll stream the next day on Hallmark Plus.

If you’ve ever wished your Bears obsession came with a little holiday magic, some city lights, and a few surprise celeb appearances, well, this might be it. Could be the most fun Chicago’s had on the field—or the screen—all year.