The Carolina Panthers' opening day matchup against the Chicago Bears feels like a must-win. And the pressure is on head coach Dave Canales to deliver.
The Panthers haven't won their season-opening fixture since 2021. Fans have experienced letdown after letdown at the start of the campaign since Sam Darnold’s Carolina debut against the New York Jets.
That has to change this time around.
Dave Canales must steer Carolina Panthers through raised expectations this season
This year, under a regime entering its third season with Canales at the helm, the stakes are higher, the schedule is tougher, and the expectations are mounting to start winning more games.
You can hear the angst and stress from fans, both online and in the flesh, about what Sunday could bring. You may confuse this game against the Bears with the season-deciding game, even though it is the first week of the regular season, with many more games to determine what the Panthers are.
But that doesn't mean Week 1 isn't important, especially with how tough the schedule becomes after Week 4, when the Panthers host the Detroit Lions for their first Sunday Night Football home game in over a decade.
The Panthers must start the season strong. A lot hangs on their offense under new play-caller Brad Idzik and quarterback Bryce Young. The latter must have a good year to earn a new contract extension, as consistency was his biggest issue in 2025.
Under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Carolina seems to have some of the missing pieces they’ve been waiting for in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd, two of the best free agents from the spring. There isn’t too much concern on this front with the talented pieces in place.
Carolina Panthers must start strong before things get tougher later
However, much of Carolina's projected success this season is still just projection. Now, it becomes a reality, with some new and possibly uncomfortable truths that could await us, whether we like it or not.
Losing this game wouldn’t mark the end of the season for Carolina, but it once again puts them behind the eight ball to start the year. They want to avoid that in the biggest way, given the schedule they have in the months to come.
The Bears are a tough team with a supremely talented quarterback in Caleb Williams and exciting playmakers across the board. Their defense remains the biggest concern, which has fans hoping for a productive and efficient day from Young and the Panthers' offense.
A Week 1 win would boost fan and team morale, especially with games against the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns in the coming weeks before their primetime matchup with the Lions.
A 2-2 or 3-1 start to the season is critical, which adds to the pressure many likely feel for this opening game. The middle portion of the schedule is incredibly tough, but that's the perk of being a defending division champion.
I expect the Panthers to win, as they’re due for an opening-day victory and a strong start after two consecutive seasons of bad ones out of the gate.
This is important for Canales, Young, and the franchise as they look to go back-to-back with the NFC South.
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