Jaelan Phillips set for Panthers debut against Bears in Week 1

Jaelan Phillips will debut for the Carolina Panthers in their first game of the 2026 season against the Chicago Bears at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers, who have invested heavily in improving their pass rush this offseason, are counting on Phillips to bolster their defense. Phillips is coming off a 2025 season where he accumulated 63 pressures and 5.0 sacks. His performance will be critical as the Panthers face a Bears offense that ranked high in scoring and yardage last season. This matchup presents a significant challenge for Phillips, who will often be matched against Chicago’s right tackle Darnell Wright.

• 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — New Panthers defender named among NFL's most anticipated 2026 debuts