For the first time in a long time, the Carolina Panthers enter a season with something more than hope that things might eventually get better.
Carolina opens the 2026 season Sunday against the Chicago Bears after winning the NFC South and returning to the playoffs last season. The Panthers finished just 8-9, so there is plenty left to prove, but the steady climb under Dave Canales — from five wins in 2024 to eight and a division title in 2025 — provides at least some reason for cautious optimism entering Year 3.
Now comes the harder part: proving last season wasn’t simply a nice step forward. Bryce Young is coming off the best season of his career, Carolina believes it has improved the roster around him and Sunday’s opener at Bank of America Stadium offers the first real look at whether the Panthers are ready to take another step.
🏈 Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
Sunday, Sept. 13
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: FOX
Announcers: Adam Amin, Drew Brees, Kristina Pink
Local radio: WRFX 99.7 FM
Panthers radio crew: Anish Shroff, Luke Kuechly, Jake Delhomme, Kristen Balboni
National radio: ESPN Radio
2025 Records: Chicago 11-6 | Carolina 8-9
What are the latest lines on Bears at Panthers?
Spread: Chicago Bears -3
Over-under: 47.5 points
Money line: Chicago -166 | Carolina + 140
Lines from Draft Kings on Sept. 13, 2026. All lines are subject to change
Panthers-Bears Injury/Availability Report
Carolina enters Sunday’s opener with only one player carrying an injury designation. Outside linebacker Patrick Jones II has been ruled out with a back injury after missing practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Running back Jonathon Brooks, meanwhile, appears ready to go. Brooks was limited Wednesday and Thursday with a groin injury before practicing fully Friday and carries no game designation. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III also progressed from limited participation Wednesday to full practices Thursday and Friday and has no designation.
Chicago has four players listed as questionable: backup quarterback Tyson Bagent (back), wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf), offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (knee) and safety Xavier Woods (groin).
What uniforms are the Panthers wearing against the Bears?
The Panthers will break out their black helmets with blue jerseys and black pants for Sunday’s season opener against Chicago.
It’s a combination that worked particularly well the last time Carolina wore it for a home opener. The Panthers used the blue-and-black look in last season’s 30-0 win over Atlanta at Bank of America Stadium, a game that included a Bryce Young rushing touchdown and a Chau Smith-Wade pick-six. Carolina is 3-2 all-time in the black-helmet, blue-jersey combination.
🔎 What to Know: Bears at Panthers
- No. 1 vs. No. 1: Sunday’s quarterback matchup features former Heisman Trophy winners and No. 1 overall picks Bryce Young and Caleb Williams. There’s another connection: the two quarterbacks are forever linked by the blockbuster trade between Carolina and Chicago that ultimately helped the Bears acquire the pick used to select Williams.
- Division champs meet: This isn’t the opening matchup many would have predicted a year ago. Both teams won their divisions in 2025, with Chicago going 11-6 to win the NFC North and Carolina capturing the NFC South despite an 8-9 record.
- Opening-day struggles: Carolina is just 11-20 all-time in season openers and has lost four straight. The Panthers’ last Week 1 victory came in 2021, when they beat the New York Jets 19-14 at Bank of America Stadium.
- A new weapon for Young: Veteran tight end Darren Waller is one of Carolina’s notable additions, although the Panthers have taken a measured approach to getting him fully integrated into the offense.
- Panthers enter relatively healthy: Outside linebacker Patrick Jones II is Carolina’s only player ruled out. Jonathon Brooks and Bobby Brown III finished the week as full practice participants and have no game designation.
- Breaking out the black helmets: Carolina will wear black helmets with blue jerseys and black pants. The Panthers are 3-2 all-time in the combination, including last season’s 30-0 home-opening win over Atlanta.
