The Carolina Panthers are back at home for a season opener for the first time since 2022, and the memory attached to that last one still stings: a 24-26 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Matt Rhule’s final partial season in Charlotte. If the Panthers beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday, it would be their first win in an opener - home or away - since the 2021 victory over the New York Jets, back in the Sam Darnold year.
That’s the kind of backdrop that can make even a fresh September slate feel heavy. Since Ron Rivera and Cam Newton moved on, the Panthers’ best runs have been painfully short: Weeks 3-5 in 2020, Weeks 1-3 in 2021, and Weeks 5-7 in 2025.
Three three-week winning streaks across six seasons. For a fan base that has lived through the recent chaos, a little caution comes with the territory.
The betting line reflects some of that uncertainty, even if the calendar says optimism should be in the air. FanDuel has the Bears as 3-point road favorites, but plenty of Panthers supporters are approaching Sunday with a familiar attitude: show me first, then I’ll believe it. That skepticism makes sense, even for those who think this roster looks better than the 2024 and 2025 versions and miles ahead of the 2023 mess.
And a Week 1 result, even an ugly one, does not have to define the season. That’s the warning label hanging over every opening weekend reaction, no matter how tempting it is to treat the first snap like a verdict.
Our staff is split right down the middle on how this one plays out, 3-3 on the winner. The average prediction lands in a narrow Panthers victory, 23-22. That exact score has shown up 16 times in NFL history, according to nflscorigami.com and Pro Football Reference, and the Panthers already had one of those games last year in a win over the New Orleans Saints.
Here’s how the picks break down:
Walker Clement: Panthers 24, Bears 17 - Carolina strings together three tough scoring drives, and the swing play comes when Devin Lloyd intercepts a Caleb Williams pass aimed at Colston Loveland or Cole Kmet as the Bears try to put the game away.
Jonathan DeLong: Bears 16, Panthers 10 - Both teams come in rusty after at times exceeding expectations last season, and Bryce Young’s Week 1 issues continue.
Brian Beversluis: Bears 35, Panthers 31 - The quarterbacks trade blows in a wild one, but Chicago gets the final say.
Andrew Sweat: Bears 27, Panthers 17 - Both defenses still have questions, but the Bears simply have more honey in the pot on offense.
In Other News...
Panthers Open Week 1 With Early Absences They Cant Ignore
A light practice report can look routine in September, but for Carolina it already carries some real weight. Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Trevor Etienne, Nic Scourton and Chris Brazzell were among the players limited or not practicing, and the group of absences touches multiple spots the Panthers would rather not be sorting through this early in the season.
The roster churn has already started as well, with the Panthers making several practice squad additions to help cover the depth chart. Linebacker Tyrel Dodson, guard Chandler Zavala and outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon are now in the mix, and the timing suggests Carolina is trying to shore up a few areas before these injuries force the issue even further. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Are Making A Rare Uniform Change Fans Will Notice All Season
The Panthers are set to make a small but notable break from tradition in 2026, one that longtime fans will notice right away. For the first time in franchise history, Carolina will not wear white jerseys at home, choosing to open the season in blue against the Chicago Bears with black pants, socks and alternate black helmets.
It is a rare uniform shift for a franchise that has long leaned on its white look at home, and it also gives the Panthers a very defined road identity. Every one of Carolinas away games in 2026 will come with the white jerseys, leaving the home crowd to get used to a different sight all season long. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Still Have One Big Week 1 Decision Left To Make
The Panthers cleared most of the usual first-week hurdles on the final injury report before Sundays game against the Bears. Jonathon Brooks and Bobby Brown both practiced fully and are expected to be available without limitations, while Patrick Jones has already been ruled out because of injury. For a team trying to settle in around a new season opener, the health picture is mostly encouraging.
The bigger question now sits with Darren Waller, who is physically ready to play but still waiting on a final call from the coaching staff. Carolina has not said whether he will be activated for Week 1, leaving one notable roster decision hanging as the opener approaches. It is the kind of late-week wrinkle that can shape how the Panthers handle their personnel, especially with a matchup already carrying the usual early-season uncertainty. [Read more 🡒]