Carolina Panthers, Bryce Young battered by Chicago Bears

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Bryce Young fell to 0-4 as an opening-day starter with the Carolina Panthers' 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sept. 13, 2026.

On NFL Week 1 Monday and Bryce Young entering a pivotal campaign, the Carolina Panthers quarterback took time to get to know rookie Jackson Kuwatch a bit better during a walk from Bank of America Stadium to the practice fields. 

Not a big deal in the grand scheme of a season, but the moment proved “cool” to a sixth-round draft pick. 

"We were chattin' it up," Kuwatch said after Monday's practice.  

With so much at stake this season, Young’s early-week focus wasn’t on the legacy of the 2023 blockbuster trade between the Panthers and Chicago Bears, but on solidifying ties within the locker room.  

“Bryce is a great person, and I really enjoy talking to him, getting to know him better,” Kuwatch said. “That speaks to the team we have here. A reason why Bryce was voted a captain. He’s a leader on this team.” 

One who set out Sunday to buck a season-opening trend and reinforce the franchise’s belief that he can be the long-term answer at quarterback. Despite throwing for three touchdown passes and running for another, the Panthers couldn’t stop Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in a 59-37 loss. 

Young fell to 0-4 in Week 1 starts.  

Young eager for quick strikes 

On 2024's first play, Young dropped back and unleashed a downfield pass over the middle of the Caesars Superdome field. 

Disaster. 

With no Panthers in the area, New Orleans Saints safety Will Harris intercepted the uncontested toss. Following a shaky Week 2 performance, coach Dave Canales benched Young after delivering three interceptions and no touchdown passes during a 0-2 start. In 16 starts as a rookie, Young endured an NFL-high 62 sacks.  

After veteran Andy Dalton suffered a thumb injury in a car wreck, Canales reinserted Young for a Week 8 start. Young, who was praised by teammates for his continued leadership, emerged with new confidence, throwing for more than 2,000 yards with 15 TD passes and six interceptions the rest of the way. 

In 2025, Young posted career highs in most categories, helping the Panthers the 2025 NFC South title and the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2017. 

In his final preseason drive against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 21, Young directed a 58-yard touchdown drive, capped by running back Jonathon Brooks’ 1-yard scoring run.  

Unlike his opening two seasons ago, Young started efficiently Sunday. Taking advantage of an opening-possession turnover by the Bears, he dropped back on his first snap and completed an over-the-middle pass to tight end Tommy Tremble for a 12-yard gain. Young capped the six-play, 42-yard drive by connecting with running back Chuba Hubbard on a 4-yard scoring pass. 

Carolina failed to engineer a first down during the next two possessions, allowing Williams to direct three consecutive scoring drives to take a 21-7 lead at 13:57 in the second quarter. 
Williams opened with a perfect passer rating and continued to take advantage of Panthers’ ill-timed mistakes – 11 penalties for 84 yards.  

“Seventeen points off turnovers,” coach Dave Canales said after the defensive debacle. “I wish I could sit here and tell you about the good stuff that happened, but that doesn't matter.” 

The Panthers tied a club record by yielding 59 points Sunday. It was the 10th time an NFL defense allowed that many points since the 1970 merger. 

Panthers-Bears 2023 trade fallout 

The Panthers and Bears will be linked for years. 

Will they be for generations? 

Leading up to the 2023 draft, the previous Panthers regime engineered a trade with the Bears, acquiring the rights to the No. 1 overall draft pick. In return, the Bears also landed wide receiver DJ Moore, the 2023 second-round pick, 2024 first-round pick and 2025 second-round pick. 

Quite the haul, to say the least.  

Despite the Panthers picking up Young’s fifth year on his rookie deal, his future with the frachise remains in doubt. General manager Dan Morgan said he will wait before opening long-term extension talks – or part ways.  

Young is the lone member of the team’s 2023 draft class still in Carolina. 

Not only will the Panthers and Bears be linked by that deal, so are the quarterbacks. With Young struggling through a 2-15 rookie campaign, the Bears utilized the 2024 No. 1 overall pick on a franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams.   

In all, the Bears garnered the rights to seven contributors: Williams, offensive tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, wide receiver Luther Burden III, tight end Sam Roush and cornerback Malik Muhammad. 

The Panthers were left with Young, who completed 23-of-37 passes for 361 yards and four total TDs Sunday compared to Williams, who went 21-of-29 for 269 yards and two scores.  

Young wasn’t interested in rehashing the dynamics of his relationship with Williams afterward.  

“I’ve known Caleb for a while,” Young said during his post-game press conference. "I have a ton of respect for him. I love his game, love watching him on film.” 

Will he still after viewing Sunday’s video?

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