# Bears-Panthers: the matchups that decide Week 1

> Ben Johnson's three-tight-end looks meet a Panthers offense that only works when Bryce Young stays clean.
- Title: Bears-Panthers: the matchups that decide Week 1 | Shortify
- Summary: Ben Johnson's three-tight-end looks meet a Panthers offense that only works when Bryce Young stays clean. This game turns on two things: whether the Bears'…
- Keywords: bears, panthers, nfl, ben johnson, matchups, news, local, Bears-Panthers, decide, Week, Chicago Sun-Times
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/09/13/what-to-watch-for-in-bears-panthers-when-each-team-has-the-ball
- Published: 2026-09-13T11:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: bears, panthers, nfl, ben johnson, matchups, news, local
## Not the Caleb show
All offseason the hype centered on Caleb Williams, but Ben Johnson builds from the run game and his tight ends outward.
## Swift is the weapon
D'Andre Swift is coming off one of his best seasons and could be Chicago's top threat on Sunday.
## Steady, then gone
Swift runs downhill with speed and elusiveness, good for a few yards every carry and always live for a long one.

> always a threat to take off for an explosive play
## Watch the target share
Swift saw 48 targets last season, sixth on the team. Under Johnson in Detroit he got 78 in 2021 and 70 the year after.
## Three tight ends, on purpose
Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet and Sam Roush give Johnson a grouping that confuses defenses before the snap.
## The coverage trap
If Carolina answers those tight ends with defensive backs, the Bears get lighter boxes and a clear lane for Swift out of the backfield.

> the Bears can steamroll a path for Swift out of the backfield
## 13 personnel is coming
Johnson ranked fifth in the NFL in three tight ends, one receiver, one back. Expect roughly triple the usage now that Chicago has paid for the personnel.
## Young still unproven
Bryce Young enters year four having improved but not arrived. His 87.8 passer rating was sixth lowest among qualifying passers.
## Chicago's soft spots
The Bears' secondary is patched together and the defensive line has yet to prove it can rattle a quarterback week to week.

> their secondary is patchwork
## McMillan is the problem
Tetairoa McMillan, the No. 8 pick last year, won offensive rookie of the year with 70 catches, 1,014 yards and seven scores.
## The rookie matchup
Jaylon Johnson can shadow McMillan, but Carolina will hunt snaps against rookie Malik Muhammad, a fourth-rounder now playing nickel in place of Kyler Gordon.
## A bad offense, on paper
Carolina finished 27th in yards (295.6) and points (18.3), going 0-5 against top-10 defenses while averaging 11.2 points in those games.

> an abysmal 11.2 points per game
## Give him time, he burns you
Against the Rams, Young was pressured twice on 22 drop-backs and went 15-for-20 for 206 yards, three touchdowns, a 147.1 rating. Chicago ranked 22nd in pressure rate and sacks.
## Key takeaway

This game turns on two things: whether the Bears' tight end sets spring D'Andre Swift, and whether their pass rush can finally make a quarterback uncomfortable.