The Chicago Bears accomplished plenty during Ben Johnson's first season. They went 11-6. They won the NFC North. They beat the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. Caleb Williams set the franchise's single-season passing record.
But there was one thing they didn't accomplish: Start fast.
Chicago opened 2025 with consecutive losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, including a 52-21 defeat at Ford Field in Week 2. The Bears recovered and eventually became one of the NFC's best teams, but digging out of an 0-2 hole isn't something Johnson should want to experience again.
That's what makes Sunday's opener against the Carolina Panthers more important than the typical Week 1 game.
Bears must avoid early-season hole
The Bears will visit Carolina at 1 p.m. ET Sunday in the first season-opening meeting between the two franchises. It's also Chicago's first Week 1 road game since 2021.
After the Panthers, the Bears return home to face Minnesota in Week 2 before hosting Philadelphia on Monday Night Football in Week 3. The New York Jets visit Soldier Field in Week 4 before Chicago travels to Green Bay.
That isn't the kind of schedule where the Bears want to spend September playing catch-up. A slow start could be a fast end to the season. That said, a slow start shouldn't be expected.
Chicago enters 2026 with more continuity than it had a year ago. Williams is in his second season running Johnson's offense. D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai (once healthy) return in the backfield. Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland give Williams an ascending group of young pass catchers, while Joe Thuney and Darnell Wright anchor an offensive line that became one of the team's strengths last season.
It's why expectations are different this time around. Last September, the Bears were learning how to win under a new coaching staff. This September, they're defending NFC North champions.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Carolina panthers shouldn't be treated like a pushover
Carolina went only 8-9 last season, but that record was good enough to win the NFC South and send the Panthers to the playoffs. They were also considerably better at home, finishing 5-3 at Bank of America Stadium.
Bryce Young continued progressing in his third season, throwing for 3,011 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 16 games. And the Panthers gave the Rams all they could handle in the post-season, losing 34-31 in the Wild Card game.
So this isn't a rebuilding team Chicago can simply expect to overwhelm. But the Bears should enter Charlotte believing they're the better football team. It's the kind of confidence Chicago should have to kick off 2026 that simply wasn't there in 2025.
Bears need to show they've graduated to contender status
Teams with legitimate championship expectations don't necessarily dominate every Week 1 opponent. Opening weekend is notoriously unpredictable. But they usually take advantage of winnable games.
Carolina presents exactly that opportunity for the Bears.
A year ago, Chicago overcame a disastrous start to become NFC North champions. This time, the Bears can make life considerably easier on themselves. Start 1-0 and make somebody else play catch-up.
Comments
Join the Conversation
Sign up to comment on this story
Create a free BearsTalk account to comment, earn points, and join the community.
Loading comments…
