Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 13, 2026, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Network: FOX
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Caleb Williams: START, QB1
I mean…come on.
Caleb Williams made huge strides in the first year of the Ben Johnson era in Chicago and is poised to take another big step forward in 2026. Fire him up in all formats.
Running Back
D’Andre Swift: START, RB2
Kyle Monangai: SIT
Roschon Johnson: SIT
D’Andre Swift left practice last week, leading to some concerns for his Week 1 availability, but he returned earlier this week and is set to start versus the Panthers. In the words of our fearless leader Nick Pollack, “Swift Never Misses.” Kyle Monangai, on the other hand, is still recovering from a hyperextended knee and would presumably shoulder a lower workload than usual if he suits up.
Wide Receiver
Rome Odunze: START, WR2
Luther Burden III: START, WR2
Kalif Raymond: SIT
Carolina held opposing receivers in check last season, allowing the eighth-fewest points to the position and the seventh-fewest passing touchdowns per game. But this offense is too good to consider sitting either Rome Odunze or Luther Burden III.
Tight End
Colston Loveland: START, TE1
Colston Loveland is an above-average start to the season away from becoming a week-in, week-out lock in fantasy.
Defense/Special Teams
Chicago Bears: STREAMER
Any team facing Bryce Young is in streamer consideration.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: SIT
It’s a great matchup for Bryce Young, but his maddening inconsistency makes him near unstartable in all formats. Young had nine starts with one or fewer touchdown passes, yet also had four games with three-touchdown performances. Yeah, you could eat a steak sandwich for lunch, but more likely it’s a poop sandwich. I’m not taking that risk.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: FLEX, RB3
Jonathon Brooks: FLEX, RB3
If Jonathon Brooks were to miss due to injury, Chuba Hubbard would jump to a volume-based RB2 with little to no upside.
Wide Receiver
Tetairoa McMillan: START, WR2
Jalen Coker: FLEX, WR4
Xavier Legette: SIT
If Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker had a more capable quarterback, they’d both jump a tier. But both are startable most weeks, and walk into a Week 1 matchup against a Bears defense that was generous to the position in 2025, giving up the second-most points to wide receivers, including the third-highest yards per target.
Tight End
Tommy Tremble: SIT
If your Tommy Tremble lasts longer than four hours, call your doctor.
Defense/Special Teams
Carolina Panthers: SIT
Did you see that mustache?