Bears Vs. Panthers Game Balls: 2026 Campaign Opens With Historic Start

The 2026 Chicago Bears season is underway, and Bears fans have never quite had a week one victory Monday like this one.

In scoring 59 points against the Carolina Panthers, the Bears achieved their highest point total since 1980 (a Week 14 victory over the Green Bay Packers, 61-7). That point total was also tied for second-place all-time in an NFL week one game, only trailing a 1973 performance by the Atlanta Falcons that saw 62 points scored.

There have only been three games in franchise history where the Bears have scored more points than they did against Carolina this week. The previously mentioned 1980 contest against the Packers, 61 points against the San Francisco 49ers in 1965 (the famous 6 TD Gale Sayers game), and the 73-0 victory over Washington in the 1940 NFL Championship. That’s the list.

The Bears offense was dominant in every way possible. Caleb Williams ran for two touchdowns, and he passed for two more. The rushing game itself was electric, putting up 291 yards. The only thing missing was Colston Loveland, but the fact that the team could achieve these kinds of statistics without a single catch from TE1 says a lot about the talent level this team has on that side of the ball.

The defense left a lot to be desired, especially in the first half. Even with the historic offensive output, you don’t want to routinely give up almost 40 points. For his part, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen did seem to adjust at halftime, and the Bears only gave up 13 points in the second half. Hopefully some lessons were learned and we can build off of them.

Let’s get to the game balls.

Offense Game Ball: RB D’Andre Swift

This could have gone to a number of players. Caleb was incredible. Kyle Monangai rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown, but his presence was mostly felt in just the second half. I have to go with the featured running back who was terrific from bell to bell.

Fresh off a new contract, D’Andre Swift went out there on Sunday and earned every cent of that new deal (and then some). He took the very first play from scrimmage 17 yards on a handoff to the right side, which was whistled back for a Rome Odunze holding penalty.

Swift didn’t let that deter him, though. He racked up 124 yards rushing on 18 carries (6.9 YPC) and three rushing touchdowns. He also caught one pass for 10 yards.

Swift ran with determination and quick decision making on Sunday. He was a clear difference maker for the offense each and every time out, and for that, he gets our offensive game ball this week.

Defense Game Ball: S Dillon Thieneman

There were a lot of negatives when it comes to the Bears defense in their 2026 debut, but the rookies shined at times. Safety Dillon Thieneman and CB Malik Muhammad were both in the running for a game ball here.

Muhammad looked like the best CB on the field Sunday. Tyrique Stevenson had an absolutely abysmal game, getting burned and whiffing on multiple tackles. Jaylon Johnson wasn’t much better, though he showed more effort at times than Stevenson.

However, it was Thieneman that really stood out in his debut. He led the team in tackles (10), while also having a pass defended and QB hit. Those 10 tackles tied for the league high among safeties in week one.

Thieneman made his presence felt all over the field, flashing that high end speed and making some physical hits. Despite the rocky start from the defensive unit as a whole, Thieneman and Muhammad both gave us some reasons to believe things will improve as the season goes on.

Bryan Orenchuk and myself will have plenty to say about this game this week on a new episode of Bears Over Beers on Wednesday evening. It will be available on the 2nd City GridironYouTube channel or via your favorite podcasting platform. Our 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Audacy, and other popular podcast platforms.

Who would have received your game balls? Let us know in the comments section below.