The Chicago Bears are just a few days away from the season opener on the road against the Carolina Panthers and after breaking down some of the top matchups between Chicago’s offense and Carolina’s defense, it’s time to focus on the other side of the ball.

The Bears enter into Week 1 with some question marks on defense going into the second season under Dennis Allen. The unit itself looks a lot different with new faces coming in and have a lot to prove to this fanbase after a disappointing year in 2025.

As for the Panthers’ offense, quarterback Bryce Young kicks off a pivotal year on Sunday and eager to show that he’s franchise quarterback material with offensive coordinator Brad Idzik now in command of calling the offense. To me, both sides couldn’t have asked for a better matchup.

Combination of Bryce Young and Brad Idzik is going to test the Bears’ secondary

The Panthers’ offense has some serious weapons at their disposal in the passing game looking at the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year in Tetairoa McMillan and players such as Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, and Jimmy Horn Jr. that can stress Chicago’s secondary down the field. And that downfield attack is an area the Panthers want to feature more this season to maximize Young’s strengths as a quarterback.

“He’s definitely been aggressive, which is huge for us,” Young said about Idzik. “That’s a part of the offense we can build upon and we can expand in. We have the guys — I have all the faith in the world in our guys out there. So giving them opportunities down the field; try to be more explosive, more dynamic.”

Young has shown limitations in the past that would make teams overlook him as a threat, but he’s one of the top deep ball passers in the league and took some significant strides late last season that he’s looking to build off of.

“I see a guy that’s got the ability to hurt you with his mobility,” Allen said of Young. “Our ability to rush the passer and keep him from being able to create plays with his feet is going to be really important. I think his decision-making has sped up from the last time I saw him. He’s got a lot of big, talented, receivers and tight ends to throw the ball to. I see a vastly improved player.”

Who gets out to the faster start will be key in Sunday’s game

With all of the new faces on the defensive side of the ball, Allen’s unit can’t afford to start out of the gates slow or have any hiccups against this offense. And what this unit actually looks like is still a major unknown.

“I think it’s still to be determined,” Allen said of his defense. “We’ve had three preseason games, a couple of joint practices, we’ve had a training camp. I think the guys are buying in to how we have to play defense and the speed we have to play at.”

Chicago’s defense is one that intends to play fast and physical on the field while Allen himself works to disguise coverages and blitz packages with his defensive backs. It’s certainly a style that Dave Canales is used to after facing off against Allen numerous times throughout his coaching career.

“Dennis Allen is a guy that I really respect,” Canales said. “He does just enough in different areas to keep you honest. You may want to say ‘Hey this is a man-to-man zone’ and there goes Cover 2. Just different things like that. He’s got a lot of experience where he’ll keep you guessing.”

For the Panthers, starting fast is a goal they have as well after starting slow to open the season in recent years. Carolina can’t afford to have any pre-snap issues when trying to decipher what Allen plans to throw at them on any given play.

“Just having more urgency,” Young explained. “We’ve talked about whether it be motion timing, just getting lined up a little quicker. When we’re sending motions, being able to diagnose things a little quicker and have confidence in that. And go with my instinct when we do have alerts and checks, being able to get in and out of those quicker, concise communication, verbally, all that stuff.”

Young and this offense is not an opponent the Bears need to overlook and this first game will go a long way in determining how this defense will look this upcoming season. They couldn’t have asked for a better Week 1 test.