After putting 59 points on the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, the Chicago Bears have plenty to feel good about. But the scoreboard didn’t hide everything. Even in a game that had the offense racing toward historic territory, there were still some uncomfortable performances on the other side of the ball - and a few starters whose spots already feel a little shaky.
There are six Bears starters worth watching closely after the opener, with the hot seat ranging from barely warm to full blaze. Some are only dealing with one rough Sunday.
Others have more baggage attached. Either way, Week 1 put a few names under the microscope.
Colston Loveland had the kind of start nobody wants to see, but it wasn’t exactly unfamiliar. The tight end was targeted just twice and didn’t come down with either pass.
That’s not the end of the world by any stretch, and Bears fans have already seen what he can look like after a slow opening. The hope now is that he finds his rhythm faster than he did a year ago.
Hot Seat Level: 2.
Rome Odunze also left some production on the table. He did haul in a 47-yard catch, but the overall line was modest: two receptions for 52 yards in the win.
The calf injury didn’t appear to hold him back, which is a plus. Still, as the WR1, he’s expected to be more than a quiet presence - especially if Kalif Raymond is outshining him.
He’s not in trouble, but the pressure is already there, and he needs to deliver some 100-yard outings this season. Hot Seat Level: 2.
The defensive side brought more concern. Jaylon Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowler, had a rough showing by his standards.
He gave up a passer rating of 113.7 and finished with three tackles, but no interception or pass deflection. His injury-marred 2025 season already dented the outlook, and this performance won’t help calm anything down.
Nobody’s talking about him losing his job, but with the secondary dealing with so many injuries, the Bears need him playing much better. Hot Seat Level: 5.
T.J. Edwards was another starter who didn’t come close to his usual impact.
He finished with just one tackle, and that was enough to make him look out of place in a game where rookie safety Dillon Thieneman piled up 10 tackles. Edwards also posted a team-low PFF grade of 30 in the win.
It’s not a disaster after one week, but for a starting linebacker, that kind of stat line stands out for all the wrong reasons. He was already in the hot seat, and another outing like that would make things even hotter.
Hot Seat Level: 5.
Garrett Bradbury was steady enough, but not enough to really impress. He was tagged for a holding penalty that wiped out a solid 10-yard run by D’Andre Swift, and PFF gave him an overall grade of 49.9, the second-lowest on the offense.
Rookie second-round pick Logan Jones is waiting for his shot, and while a switch at center isn’t imminent, Bradbury’s status could become a real conversation if the play doesn’t improve. He’s already being viewed as a one-year rental, which makes the margin for error pretty thin.
Then there’s Tyrique Stevenson, who may have had the most alarming day of the bunch. In a contract year and coming off back-to-back bad seasons, he needed a strong start.
Instead, he allowed a perfect passer rating of 158.3 and still finished second on the team with nine tackles. That’s not the kind of stat line a cornerback wants attached to his name.
If he doesn’t turn it around fast, Malik Muhammad could be the one to step in - and Stevenson may not get the job back. Hot Seat Level: 10.
In Other News...
Bears Still Have One Tempting Answer To Their Pass Rush Problem
Maxx Crosby wasted no time reminding the league why he remains one of the most coveted pass rushers in football, finishing the Raiders season-opening win over the Dolphins with two combined tackles, three quarterback hits and a milestone that pushed him past 70 career sacks. Even with the extension he signed in March 2025, his name has stayed in the trade conversation, and the Bears remain among the teams linked to him if Las Vegas ever decides to listen.
For Chicago, the appeal is obvious: a proven edge rusher who can change the tone of a defense without requiring much projection. The obstacle is just as obvious, though, because Crosbys new deal made him expensive, with an annual salary of $35.5 million, so any pursuit would have to be aggressive and carefully timed. For now, the Bears can only watch his production and wonder whether this is the rare pass-rush fix that might still be sitting within reach. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Defense Faces Immediate Pressure After Dave Wannstedt's Week 2 Take
After giving up 37 points in the season opener, the Bears defense is already under the kind of early scrutiny that comes with playing in Chicago. Former head coach Dave Wannstedt thinks theres a path to a sharper showing in Week 2, pointing to Dennis Allens background as a defensive coordinator and the possibility that the matchup could look different depending on Minnesotas quarterback situation.
Wannstedt didnt dismiss what went wrong in the opener, but he did frame the issues as the sort that can be fixed rather than a sign of deeper trouble. For a unit trying to steady itself right away, that matters, because the next game will say a lot about whether the opener was an outlier or the first real warning sign. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Special Teams Just Unleashed A Weapon Fans Need To See
The Bears Week 1 rout of the Panthers had plenty of big moments on offense, but one of the quieter swings came from special teams when Tory Taylor put together a punt that helped tilt the game. His unusual banana ball kick forced a muffed catch, and Chicago turned the takeaway into a field goal as part of the 59-37 win, another sign that this team can create problems in more ways than one.
Ben Johnson pointed to the punt as a momentum shift, which says plenty about how the Bears view Taylors value heading into the season. With Caleb Williams lighting up Carolina and the offense already carrying a heavy load, any hidden-yardage edge matters, and Taylors ability to change field position in an instant gives Chicago something opponents have to account for every week. [Read more 🡒]