Division Champions Panthers, Bears Seek Progress

The Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears enter their 2026 season opener as surprising 2025 division champions seeking to prove last season’s success was sustainable. Carolina ended a seven-year playoff drought behind Bryce Young, who improved to 3,011 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, while the Bears went 11-6 and won a playoff game behind Caleb Williams, who threw for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns. The matchup also revisits Carolina’s 2023 trade with Chicago to move up for Young, a deal that sent the Bears D.J. Moore and multiple draft picks, including assets that helped Chicago acquire Williams and other key players. The Panthers are counting on Young’s increased confidence and leadership, a largely unchanged offense, emerging receiver Jalen Coker, a healthy Jonathan Brooks and new additions such as Darren Waller, while Chicago faces questions about injuries, roster depth and its offensive development. Both teams were eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams last season and now face heightened expectations under first-place schedules.