The Carolina Panthers opened the 2026 season with a statement, rolling past the Chicago Bears 34-15 in Week 1. From the opening possession, Carolina looked like the more polished team on both sides of the ball, and the Bears never found the answer. A season opener at home rarely comes this comfortably, but the Panthers turned an early cushion into a laugher. Bryce Young was the engine, throwing for 249 yards and three touchdowns while carving up Chicago's secondary with poise and pace. Xavier Legette was his favorite target, piling up a game-high 102 receiving yards and consistently winning on the outside. Jonathon Brooks kept the offense balanced with 81 yards on the ground, letting Carolina control the clock and dictate tempo. With the run and pass working in concert, the Panthers never had to abandon the script. Defensively, Carolina made the plays that mattered. Mike Jackson's interception was the swing moment, snuffing out a Bears drive and handing the ball back to an offense that was already humming. Devin Lloyd added a sack to keep Chicago behind the sticks, and the Bears' scoring never kept pace with the damage. Noah Sewell's six tackles led all defenders, but the volume told the story of a Chicago defense that spent far too much of the afternoon on the field.