The Chicago Bears kick off the 2026 NFL season against the Carolina Panthers, where head coach Ben Johnson is looking for his first Week 1 win.

News that Mike Ditka was back in Chicago and paying attention to the Bears from his Streeterville condo was almost as heartening as stories of Pope Leo XIV keeping up with the White Sox from the Vatican.

Head coach Dave Canales and players answered to their Week 1 loss on Sunday and Monday. But these questions still linger.

When the Carolina Panthers host the Chicago Bears in Week 1, it will be a matchup of two teams that won their divisions in 2025. While Carolina fell in the NFC Wild Card round, the Bears were able to beat Green Bay and advance to the Divisional round before losing to the Los Angeles Rams, who beat the Panthers the week before.

Chicago Bears veteran tight end Cole Kmet has high expectations for his team as they enter their upcoming 2026 NFL campaign.

There are plenty of Chicago icons, but there's only one Mike Ditka. “He’s the best Chicago celebrity ever because he became Chicago.”

Chicago Bears offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo appears to be on the cusp of making a huge step forward in his return from a torn patellar tendon.

Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson issued a clear communication to Colston Loveland, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III without saying a word.