Panthers' Week 1 opponent unsure of who will be starting at critical position
· Yahoo Sports
There's just a couple weeks and change left before the Carolina Panthers open their 2026 season at home against the Chicago Bears. Despite having home-field advantage, the Bears are considered the early favorites.
One of the most critical battles in this matchup will be at the line of scrimmage—where Pro Bowler Derrick Brown, new pass rusher linebacker Jaelan Phillips and the rest of the Panthers defense will try to break through and contain quarterback Caleb Williams. But as of now, Bears head coach Ben Johnson doesn't seem to know who will be protecting Williams' blindside by then . . .
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Bears coach Ben Johnson said left tackle "is still an ongoing spot."
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 25, 2026
"I don't know that we are 100% sold on who that guy's going to be for Carolina yet (in Week 1)," Johnson said.
Safety is another spot, with Coby Bryant's injury, that remains up in the air.
Chicago's left tackle position is usually manned by Ozzy Trapilo—who, like Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, is on the comeback trail from a torn patellar tendon. Trapilo sustained his setback in the wild-card round of the playoffs back in January, and was activated from the physically unable to perform list a little over a week ago.
If Trapilo is unable to make it back in time, the Bears could call upon one of Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., Kiran Amegadije or Theo Benedet—all of whom have taken snaps at left tackle during the preseason. The smart money may be on Jones, who got the starting nod in the exhibition from this past Saturday.
Whatever the case may ultimately be, the Panthers could have a bit of an edge come Sunday, Sept. 13.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers' Week 1 opponent unsure of who will be starting at critical position