Carolina Panthers fans were expecting the team to get their 2026 season off on the right note. Head coach Dave Canales' squad is looking to build on an NFC South championship triumph, but a pathetic defensive showing cost them against the Chicago Bears.
The Panthers gave up 59 points. They conceded 552 total yards. It was historic ineptitude for an opening-day game, and it sucked the optimism completely out of the fan base at Bank of America Stadium.
But it wasn't all bad.
Carolina's offense was highly productive, which offered reasons to be encouraged. Brad Idzik wasted no time finding his groove as the play-caller, and the unit showed extra aggressiveness that produced more.
However, the biggest story was the defensive failure. And though Canales said after the contest that he needs to watch the game film before making his judgment, it won't take a genius to figure out that this was nowhere near the required standard.
Fortunately for the Panthers, nobody else in the NFC South won either. Everyone remains on a level playing field, but if they don't beat the Atlanta Falcons next weekend, the pressure will only build.
That's for the future. For now, here are three winners and five losers from Carolina's embarrassing loss to the Bears to start the season.
Winners and losers from the Carolina Panthers' dismal loss against the Chicago Bears in Week 1
Loser No. 1
Lee Hunter - Carolina Panthers DL
The Panthers were confident enough in Lee Hunter to give him the starting nose tackle job. Cam Jackson, who had also been competing for the role, was a healthy scratch. This piled more pressure on the second-round rookie to come through when the stakes were highest.
It was not a great day at the office for Hunter. The Bears controlled the line of scrimmage, putting him on the back foot throughout. He couldn't generate much push, and the first-year lineman was slow to anchor on running plays.
Chicago had no trouble exploiting this. The Bears gained almost 300 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns on the ground. And it gave Hunter a brutal reality check about what being a productive NFL player will take in the trenches.
Winner No. 1
Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers RB
There were very few bright spots, but most of them came on offense. Chuba Hubbard was among those who kept fighting and played well. It wasn't enough, but it was a solid start from the 2021 fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma State.
Hubbard is improving as a pass blocker. He's got good contact balance and is decisive when rushing lanes arrive. The savvy veteran and growing locker room leader is also developing encouragingly as a pass-catcher, which was often criticized in earlier years.
Again, it didn't matter much in the grand scheme of things, but even though the Panthers now have Jonathon Brooks back healthy, Hubbard remains a big part of the team's plans this season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google