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Chicago Bears open 2026 season against Carolina Panthers

3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 16, 2026, 9:01 PM

Last updated Sep 16, 2026

Chicago Bears open 2026 season against Carolina Panthers

Summary

The Chicago Bears begin their 2026 NFL campaign on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, facing the Carolina Panthers. Chicago enters the matchup following an 11-6 finish in 2025, a season that marked their first NFC North title in eight years and an initial playoff victory in nearly two decades. Under head coach Ben Johnson, the team significantly improved its offensive efficiency, ranking fourth in total yardage and first in total turnovers during the previous campaign. While the offense excelled, the defense finished 29th in total yards allowed despite recording a league-best 33 takeaways. Quarterback Caleb Williams enters his second year under Johnson following a 2025 season that saw him emerge as a key playmaker. The upcoming game serves as the first test for a roster looking to build on the momentum generated during their recent turnaround.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
•The team finished 11-6 last season and won an NFC North title.
•Chicago ranked first in the league with 11 turnovers committed in 2025.
•The defense recorded 33 takeaways during the previous season.

Latest Updates

7:36 PMYahoo Sports — Where the Chicago Bears rank statistically heading into Week 5
9:01 PMYahoo Sports — Where the Chicago Bears rank in power rankings in Week 2
6:30 PMYahoo Sports — Where the Chicago Bears rank statistically heading into Week 2
6:35 PMYahoo Sports — Where the Chicago Bears rank statistically heading into Week 1

What they're saying

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With Week 5 just around the corner, how did the Chicago Bears compare to the rest of the NFL after last week? We take a look at the stats.
— Yahoo Sports