Bears Offense Looking to Improve After Historic Performance Over Panthers

The Chicago Bears destroyed the Carolina Panthers by 22 points in the team's 59-37 win at Bank of America Stadium in Week 1. 

Quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for two touchdowns and another 65 yards. The Bears' rushing attack finished with 291 total rushing yards and six touchdowns. 

[READ: Why Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams Say Run Game Defined Bears' Win vs. Panthers]

The Bears set a franchise record for the most points scored in a season opener. It was a record-setting day to kick off the 2026 season, but the team felt it left some plays on the field. 

With how the game ended, it's important to remember that Chicago's offense started the day with a holding penalty from Rome Odunze and then two plays later, Luther Burden III fumbled. 

The Bears also committed 12 penalties for 57 yards. There's a lot to clean up going into the Week 2 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. That's how veteran tight end Cole Kmet felt after the game. 

"I think we came in at half it kind of felt like, honestly, that we had left some stuff out there and we still had 30 or whatever it was at the half," Kmet said to reporters.

Kmet also mentioned that the Bears' talent allowed the team to overcome some of the mistakes throughout the game, but he acknowledged that as the season progresses, the offense must correct those miscues. 

The film doesn't lie, and the team will find the snaps that need improvement. 

Wide receiver Rome Odunze echoed Kmet's thoughts about missing out on opportunities. 

"I mean you want to play the perfect game," Odunze said. "That's what you're striving for, you know. We've heard the head of the snake, Ben Johnson, say he wants to be the most prolific offense in history, so it takes those attention to details even when you score 59 points, harping on those things that you can improve on to get to that point, so we're all bought into that. We're all trying to accomplish that, so regardless of the points outside of the board, it's about our individual execution every single play."

Johnson as this Bears offense always wanting more, more points, more yards and, most importantly, more wins. That relentless mindset has spread throughout the entire locker room. While Chicago delivered an encouraging start in Year 2 under Johnson, the players made one thing clear during postgame: this is only the beginning of what the offense can accomplish. 

In Williams' postgame press conference, he emphasized that Sunday's performance against the Panthers sets the standard for how the offense should look each week, and that standard was built well before kickoff. It's a product of habits built during OTAs, training camp and weekly preparation. Even after the offense put up big numbers, the Bears' quarterback is already looking towards making improvements. 

"We've got to go be truthers," Williams said. "Obviously, this is going to be our – kind of worst game. I know points don't necessarily show that, but execution – the blocking, the holding, the penalties, all these different things – just being able to be a truther about who we are and go watch the film. I know we won. Obviously, the goal each week is to go 1-0. We did that this week, and we're very proud of ourselves, but being able to go back tomorrow – we have the 24 hours – go back tomorrow, enjoy it and all of that, but find ways to get better for this next week because we've got a worthy opponent."