# Bears hang 59 on Carolina and still want more

> Caleb Williams and D'Andre Swift shredded the Panthers for a franchise record 552 yards, and the locker room thinks it left points on the field.
- Title: Bears hang 59 on Carolina and still want more | Shortify
- Summary: Caleb Williams and D'Andre Swift shredded the Panthers for a franchise record 552 yards, and the locker room thinks it left points on the field. Ben…
- Keywords: bears, nfl, caleb williams, d'andre swift, season opener, news, local, hang, Carolina, still, want, more
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/09/13/bears-inactives-vs-panthers-for-week-1-backup-qb-tyson-bagent-inactive-but-designated-as-emergency-3rd-qb
- Published: 2026-09-13T20:36:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: bears, nfl, caleb williams, d'andre swift, season opener, news, local
## A season at the speedway
The Bears opened the year in Charlotte and ran away from the Panthers 59-37. It was the most points they have ever scored in a season opener.

> Get ready for a season at the speedway.
## 552 yards, a franchise record
No Bears team had ever gained more yards in a game. The offense piled up 552 of them on a Week 1 afternoon that felt like a scrimmage.
## Third most points ever
Only two Bears teams have scored more than 59 in a game: the 1965 and 1980 squads, each of which put up 61.
## Johnson's offense at full force
Nearly every piece of Ben Johnson's system worked, starting with Caleb Williams at quarterback and D'Andre Swift in the backfield.

> Nearly every part of coach Ben Johnson's offense was firing at full force
## The defense sputtered
Carolina scored 37 and the lapses kept coming, which is how this became the highest scoring game in Bears history. The offense covered for all of it.
## Both promises kept
Johnson was hired to wake up this offense. Williams said he wanted to make history. On Sunday they both did exactly what they said they would.
## Williams was as advertised
He completed 21 of 29 throws for 269 yards, two touchdowns and zero turnovers, good for a 124.1 passer rating after an offseason of hype.
## He ran it too
Williams added 65 rushing yards, including scrambles of nine and 29 yards that both ended in the end zone.
## He hit the 70% mark
Johnson had demanded his quarterback complete 70% of his passes. Williams finished at 72.4%.

> He did it all, even meeting Johnson's demand of completing 70% of his passes at 72.4%.
## Swift cashed his extension
Days after signing for three years and $33.8 million, Swift ran 18 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns.
## The run that ended it
Swift's 28-yard touchdown made it 59-37 with 3:40 left. Carolina pulled Bryce Young for the final drive.

> The Panthers finally surrendered when he ran through them for a 28-yard touchdown
## Ugly start, then a flood
In the first four minutes the Bears took three penalties, lost a fumble and fell behind 7-0. After that they scored on nine of 12 full possessions.

> there's a feeling in the locker room that they left some plays out there
## Key takeaway

Ben Johnson's offense is real and ahead of schedule, but a defense that surrendered 37 points is the thing standing between the Bears and January.