Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bears fans and fans across the country.
What a fun way to kick off the 2026 Chicago Bears season!
Winning on the road in the NFL is never easy, especially in an opponent’s home opener, so the Bears overcoming early adversity, weathering the Carolina Panthers’ comeback, and still comfortably winning by 22 points was unexpected.
But maybe this is just the new normal with Ben Johnson
and Caleb Williams.
With most of the offense back, it was as good as we all hoped in Week 1. The o-line was moving people, D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai ran hard (can we get this duo a nickname?), the tight ends and wideouts blocked and played well, and the passing game was crisp and efficient.
Speaking of the new normal, we also got several Caleb Williams OMG moments.
But the defense had some issues all over the field. The secondary was leaky; the pass rush wasn’t consistent; and the run defense allowed 4.8 yards per carry to Carolina’s running backs. Panther QBs also scrambled 3 times for 34 yards and a TD.
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