Bears' biggest overachievers and underachievers from wild Week 1 win

Chicago's 59-37 victory over the Carolina Panthers featured a franchise-record point total for a season opener, 552 yards of offense, and eight offensive touchdowns. It was the type of performance that can dramatically change expectations after just one week.

But not everyone left Charlotte with a performance worth celebrating.

Here are the Bears players who most exceeded expectations in Week 1, and a few who need much more in Week 2.

Overachiever: Kalif Raymond

There were plenty of candidates here, but Raymond might be the best definition of an overachiever.

The veteran entered the season as a complementary piece in an offense loaded with younger playmakers. He left Week 1 as Chicago's leading receiver.

Raymond caught eight passes for 84 yards, repeatedly giving Caleb Williams a reliable option as Carolina tried to contain the rest of the Bears' weapons.

PFF was even more impressed, giving Raymond a 90.2 overall grade, second among Bears offensive players who logged at least 20 snaps.

Nobody should suddenly expect Raymond to become Chicago's WR1. But Week 1 provided another reminder of why Ben Johnson wanted him in Chicago.

Overachiever: Kyle Monangai

It's difficult to call Monangai's performance entirely unexpected after what he accomplished as a rookie. Still, 100 yards on 10 carries certainly qualifies as exceeding expectations.

Monangai's 61-yard touchdown changed the complexion of the game, coming one play after Chicago's defense stopped Carolina on fourth down with the Bears holding a seven-point lead. Suddenly, it was 45-31.

He also contributed in the passing game, catching two passes for 24 yards.

D'Andre Swift remains Chicago's lead back, but Monangai continues to prove that the Bears don't have a traditional backup running back. They have two players capable of hurting defenses.

Swift and Monangai became only the eighth running back duo in NFL history to each rush for at least 100 yards in a season opener.

Overachiever: Malik Muhammad II

The Bears needed someone to step up in a secondary dealing with significant injury concerns. Muhammad did exactly that.

The rookie cornerback made one of Chicago's most important defensive plays when he intercepted Bryce Young with five seconds remaining in the first half. Instead of giving Carolina an opportunity to erase Chicago's 31-24 advantage before halftime, Muhammad slammed the door.

PFF gave Muhammad a 65.0 overall defensive grade, tied for second among Bears defenders who played at least 20 snaps.

The defense had plenty of problems Sunday. Muhammad wasn't one of them.

Overachiever: D'Andre Swift

Can the established RB1 really overachieve? When he produces the best rushing touchdown performance of his seven-year career, absolutely.

Swift carried 18 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. It marked his first career three-touchdown rushing game and made him the first Bears player to rush for three scores in a game since Jordan Howard in 2016.

Chicago gave Swift a three-year extension just before the season. Just one game later, that investment is already looking pretty good.

Underachiever: Colston Loveland

Loveland was the biggest offensive disappointment. He entered 2026 with enormous expectations after leading the Bears with 713 receiving yards as a rookie. Then Chicago scored 59 points without its talented young tight end catching a pass.

Loveland was targeted twice and finished with zero receptions.

One game doesn't change his outlook, particularly considering Loveland also started slowly last season before emerging as one of Williams' best weapons. But on an afternoon when nearly everything worked offensively, his lack of involvement was impossible to miss.

Underachiever: T.J. Edwards

The Bears defense allowed 37 points and 478 total yards, so several candidates fit this side of the list.

Edwards' performance was particularly disappointing. The veteran linebacker played 68 defensive snaps but finished with a 32.2 PFF grade, the lowest among Bears defenders who played at least 20 snaps.

Edwards has been one of Chicago's most dependable defensive players since arriving in 2023. One poor performance isn't cause for alarm. But the Bears need much better from the middle of their defense against Minnesota.

Underachiever: Tyrique Stevenson

Stevenson entered 2026 with a chance to establish himself as a more consistent part of Chicago's secondary and as a guy who deserves a lucrative second contract.

Week 1 wasn't the start he wanted.

PFF gave Stevenson a 36.0 overall grade across 54 defensive snaps, the second-lowest grade among Bears defenders who reached the 20-snap threshold.

That's particularly concerning considering what Carolina accomplished through the air. Bryce Young finished with 361 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Jalen Coker torched Chicago for eight catches, 138 yards and two scores.

The Bears' secondary needs a significant improvement in Week 2, and Stevenson is part of that equation.

Week 1 showed both sides of these Bears

The Bears scored 59 points, won by 22, and opened the season 1-0. Nobody should be searching too hard for negatives after that.

But Chicago also allowed Carolina to score 37 points, and the game remained tied at 31 well into the third quarter. The offense eventually overwhelmed the Panthers, but the defense can't count on Williams and company scoring nearly 60 every week.