4 key matchups to watch in Bears vs. Panthers Week 1 game

The 2026 regular season is finally here, and the Chicago Bears will begin the year on the road taking on the Carolina Panthers in a matchup in which they are the betting favorites. Chicago will have an opportunity to get off to a quick start as they look to build off their 11-win season from last year and compete for their second straight NFC North divisional title.

Carolina has a young offense led by quarterback Bryce Young, last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, and a two-headed running back attack in Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks. On defense, the Panthers big-time signings in free agency were linebackers Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd, and Bobby Okereke, helping solidifying their tackling and pursuit of opposing quarterbacks.

<1 / 53

<2 / 53

<3 / 53

<4 / 53

<5 / 53

<6 / 53

<7 / 53

<8 / 53

<9 / 53

<10 / 53

<11 / 53

<12 / 53

<13 / 53

<14 / 53

<15 / 53

<16 / 53

<17 / 53

<18 / 53

<19 / 53

<20 / 53

<21 / 53

<22 / 53

<23 / 53

<24 / 53

<25 / 53

<26 / 53

<27 / 53

<28 / 53

<29 / 53

<30 / 53

<31 / 53

<32 / 53

<33 / 53

<34 / 53

<35 / 53

<36 / 53

<37 / 53

<38 / 53

<39 / 53

<40 / 53

<41 / 53

<42 / 53

<43 / 53

<44 / 53

<45 / 53

<46 / 53

<47 / 53

<48 / 53

<49 / 53

<50 / 53

<51 / 53

<52 / 53

<53 / 53

vs. Tetairoa McMillan

Head coach Ben Johnson raved about the Bears’ top cornerback this week, mentioning a renewed spark in the veteran’s motivation coming into the season. Jaylon Johnson will have his work cut out for him in defending the reigning Rookie of the Year who stands 6’5″, testing his true shutdown cover skills. If Johnson is able to limit McMillan, the Panthers offense will need an unlikely weapon to step up, if possible.

Veteran Braxton Jones was named the Bears starting left tackle this week and, with Ozzy Trapilo working his way back from injury, he’ll have to play above standard to keep the job. Jones will get a good test going up against Jaelan Phillps this weekend, a defender that the Panthers are counting on to be their top pass rusher. In every season that Phillips has played the entire year, he’s had at least five sacks in each season, while also not ever having the role he will assume in Carolina as the lead man attacking the quarterback.

One way for the Bears to help Jones will be by utilizing the NFL’s Protector of the Year last season in Joe Thuney, who will have his hands full with defensive tackle Derrick Brown. Thuney has been the most important piece of the Bears offensive line, and he can withstand one of the top interior defensive linemen in the entire NFL. Brown had a career-high five sacks last season, and will need to be shut down not only in pass protection, but also to make sure he doesn’t blow up the backfield on any rush plays.

Jaycee Horn is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who has publicly stated that his biggest goal is to be an All-Pro, meaning he wants to be even more elite than he has been over the last two seasons. There’s a conversation to be had that Horn will be lined up across from Rome Odunze, but as he’s been limited in practice to begin the week, the focus goes to Luther Burden III, who can take the top off of any defense he lines up against. Burden’s speed and burst ability will be key to how he can separate from Horn, and if he can get behind the Pro Bowl corner, the Bears young wide receiver could have several big play opportunities.

Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebookand Instagram

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 4 key matchups to watch in Bears vs. Panthers Week 1 game