The Chicago Bears will go on the road to face the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 to start the 2026 NFL season. Here is an early preview of the Week 1 matchup.
The 2026 NFL Schedule won't officially be released until 7:00 p.m. CT, but that hasn't prevented leaks from circulating on social media.
So far, it's been confirmed that the Chicago Bears will play the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. The Bears posted on their social media channels, confirming reports that were circulating online.
If you look closely enough, the entire Bears' 2026 schedule can be pieced together, but instead of speculating on every game, we'll just focus on Week 1.
According to multiple reports, the Bears will travel to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
There were rumblings that the Bears would face the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, but that game will feature the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl LX rematch.
Here is everything you need to know about the Bears' Week 1 matchup against the Panthers.
Playoff Teams
Like the Bears, the Panthers (8-9) ended a long playoff drought with the team's appearance against the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. The Panthers had a 31-27 lead over the Rams with 2:39 remaining in the game, but Matthew Stafford lead his team to a touchdown drive with 38 seconds left in the game to help secure a 34-31 win.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young completed 21 of 40 pass attempts for 264 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker finished as the game's leading receiver with his nine receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown.
Prior to Panthers winning the NFC South in 2025, the Panthers' last postseason appearance came in 2017.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Two picks before the Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland, the Panthers drafted Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
The 6-foot-5, 212-pound playmaker caught 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games played. McMillan was voted the 2025 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
In the Panthers' 30-27 overtime win over the Falcons in Week 11, McMillan caught a career high eight passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Key Offensive Stats
- Sacks Given Up: Panthers 35 (Tied for 25th) / Bears 24 (30th)
- Three-and-outs: Panthers 25 (31st) / Bears 37 (Tied for 13th most)
- Big Pass Completions (20+ yards): Panthers 43 (Tied for 21st) / Bears 60 (5th)
- Big Play Rushes (10+ yards): Panthers 45 (22nd) / Bears 67 (3rd)
- Red Zone Drive TDs: Panthers 24 (27th) / Bears 32 (Tied for 14th)
Key Defensive Stats
- Sacks: Panthers 30 (Tied for 28th) / Bears 35 (Tied for 22nd)
- Total Pressures: Panthers 89 (31st) / Bears 121 (24th)
- Big Plays Allowed (Rush 10+ & Pass 20+): Panthers 89 (Tied for 20th) / Bears 120 (5th)
- Third Down Conversation % Allowed: Panthers 47.1% (No. 2) / Bears 40.8% (11th)
- Opponent Red Zone TDs: Panthers 32 (Tied for 11th) / Bears 32 (Tied for 11th)
History
The Bears are 9-4 all time against the Panthers, securing four-straight wins over Carolina since 2017. In the most recent game between the two teams, Caleb Williams led the Bears to a 36-10 victory over Young's Panthers at Soldier Field during the 2024 season.
The two teams will forever be linked for the 2023 trade that sent the Bears' No. 1 overall pick to Carolina, who drafted Young. The Bears received No. 9 overall and No. 61 in the 2023 draft, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, No. 39 overall in 2025 and wide receiver DJ Moore.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles ended up trading the ninth overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for 10th overall and a fourth-round pick in 2024. The Bears selected offensive tackle Darnell Wright.
Chicago used the 61st overall pick in 2023 in a trade package with the Jacksonville Jaguars to move up and select cornerback Tyrique Stevenson with the 56th overall pick.
That fourth-round pick from the Eagles was used to select punter Tory Taylor with the 122nd overall pick in the 2024 draft.
The Bears selected wide receiver Luther Burden III with the 39th overall pick.