Carolina Panthers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

NFC Notes: Baker Mayfield Contract, David Tepper, Bryce Young, Buccaneers, Panthers

According to Pro Football Talk, Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield‘s three-year, $100 million contract extension includes a $10 million roster bonus due three

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Grading Panthers QB Bryce Young in Crushing Panthers Defeat

Week 1 of the Carolina Panthers season is in the books, and it's one that the defense will want to forget. The Chicago Bears ran up the score, resulting in Carolina losing 59-37 at home.

Carolina Panthers News / A to Z Sports / September 13

‘It’s embarrassing’ — Panthers’ defense leaves major questions after Week 1 as the team does their best not to point fingers

The Carolina Panthers surrendered 59 points against the Chicago Bears in Week 1, far from the type of showing many expected from this talented unit on the field.

Carolina Panthers News / Athlon Sports / September 13

3 Winners (And 4 Losers) From Panthers' Week 1 Disaster

The Carolina Panthers‘ 2026 season did not start off the way anybody wanted it to in Week 1. There were some good moments, for sure, but there was much more bad.

Denver Broncos News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most yards through two NFL seasons' quiz

32 quarterbacks in NFL history have throw for more than 6,000 yards in the first two seasons of their career. How many of those QBs can you name in five minutes?

The 'Most TD passes in first two seasons' quiz

The 'Game-winning-drives record by team' quiz

The 'NFL yards-from-scrimmage leaders' quiz

Ejiro Evero News / Carolina Panthers on SI / September 13

It's Beyond Time to Talk About Carolina Panthers DC Ejiro Evero

The Carolina Panthers put together a very talented defense this offseason. After languishing with a lack of talent to back up what the team believed was good coaching, they finally addressed the talent gap.

NFL News / Yardbarker

When will every NFL team lose its first game in 2026?

All 32 teams have hope for a perfect 17-0 regular season as another year begins, but the odds aren't in their favor. As the season opens, we predict the first loss for each team in 2026.

Carolina Panthers News / Athlon Sports / September 13

Alarm Bells Ringing for Panthers' Defense Already After Week 1 Disaster

The Carolina Panthers welcomed the Chicago Bears to town on Sunday, and the game did not go how anybody expected it to. The Chicago Bears could not be stopped, and they ended up walking away with a 59-37 victory.

NFL News / EasySportz / September 13

Bears Outlast Panthers in Wild 59-37 Shootout

The Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers delivered one of the wildest games of Week 1, with Chicago eventually pulling away for a 59-37 victory at Bank of America Stadium.

Carolina Panthers News / A to Z Sports / September 13

Panthers Week 1 Winners and losers: Bryce Young and Jalen Coker shine, Ejiro Evero delivers fireable performance in 59-point meltdown

The Carolina Panthers answered some major offensive questions in Week 1, but the defensive side of the ball looked like a huge issue and the blame falls on one man.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / September 13

3 Winners and 6 Losers from Carolina Panthers' Frustrating Loss vs. Bears

The Carolina Panthers opened the season at home against the Chicago Bears with an admittedly shocking (for a good reason) performance. The offense was incredible.

NFL News / Yardbarker / September 13

Bears' Williams put Brees' advice to good use on 22-yard TD vs. Panthers

Bears QB Caleb Williams put Drew Brees' advice to good use on 22-yard TD vs. Panthers

Turns out Brees is an excellent teacher.

Bears reward D'Andre Swift ahead of Week 1 with three-year extension

The 'Most yards through two NFL seasons' quiz

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / September 13

What Happened to Bobby Brown? Panthers' D-Line Gets Even Thinner

The Carolina Panthers came into Sunday with a very thin defensive line. After losing Tershawn Wharton to injury and LaBryan Ray to retirement, the Panthers suddenly had a big need up front.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The significant NFL players returning from injury in 2026

Be it stars returning from late-season injuries to starter-level players who missed most or all of last season, the NFL features a host of rehab odysseys to follow as training camps near.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / September 13

Panthers May Finally Be Building a Roster Instead of Constantly Rebuilding One

For most of the last decade, the Carolina Panthers have seemingly been stuck in a never-ending rebuild. New coaches, new quarterbacks, and new plans have come and gone, with each one promising to finally get the franchise headed in the right direction.

Darren Waller News / Athlon Sports / September 13

Panthers Reveal Week 1 Inactives: Is Darren Waller Playing?

The Carolina Panthers are almost ready to kick off the 2026 season against the Chicago Bears. All of the offseason work and positive developments will be put to the test for the first time today in this battle between two 2025 playoff teams.

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The 'Women's U.S. Open champions' quiz

The '4,500-yard, 15-INT NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Most 10-TD catch NFL seasons' quiz

The 'NFL's active passing-leaders' quiz

NFL News / Athlon Sports / September 13

How to Live Stream Bears vs. Panthers: NFL Week 1

The Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers begin their 2026 NFL seasons Sunday afternoon when they meet at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Both teams won their divisions last season, with Chicago finishing 11-6 to win the NFC North and Carolina going 8-9 atop the NFC South.

NFL News / Carolina Panthers on SI / September 13

Panthers Could Offer Patriots Solution After Losing A.J. Brown

The New England Patriots probably didn't think they would be looking for another receiver this early in the season, but the injury to A.J. Brown could change that.

NFL News / Carolina Panthers on SI / September 13

These 4 Things Could Decide Panthers-Bears in Week 1

The wait is finally over for the Carolina Panthers. After an offseason filled with expectations following last year's NFC South title, the Panthers open the 2026 season Sunday against a Chicago Bears team coming off a division title of its own.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / September 13

Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 1: Bryce Young, Jalen Coker, Darren Waller

The Carolina Panthers will kick off their 2026 campaign against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 and begin their quest to make another trip to the playoffs.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / September 13

Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 1: Chuba Hubbard, Tetairoa McMillan, Jonathon Brooks

When the Carolina Panthers take the field against the Chicago Bears in Week 1, they will have running backs Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan all active.

NFL News / Athlon Sports / September 13

Final Injury Report for Bears-Panthers: Will Rome Odunze, Jonathon Brooks Play?

The Chicago Bears are on the road Sunday afternoon as they travel to take on the Carolina Panthers in an NFC matchup during Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

Jonathon Brooks News / Athlon Sports / September 12

Jonathon Brooks is the Panthers' Biggest X-Factor for Week 1

The Carolina Panthers are set to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Both teams desperately want to open the 2026 season with a win, so this will be an exciting one.

Carolina Panthers News / Athlon Sports / September 12

Panthers Elevate Two From Practice Squad, Including Former First-Round Pick

The Carolina Panthers are preparing to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. This is an important game for the Panthers, despite it being the first game of the season.

Carolina Panthers News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 12

Panthers Elevate S Isaiah Simmons & LB Jeremiah Moon

According to Joe Person, the Panthers elevated S Isaiah Simmons and LB Jeremiah Moon to their active roster for Week 1. Simmons, 27, was a two-year starter at Clemson and won the Butkus Award as college football’s best linebacker in 2019.

Carolina Panthers News / Pro Football Rumors / September 11

Panthers Owner David Tepper: ‘I’m A Believer’ In QB Bryce Young

Bryce Young is about to begin his fourth NFL season. Uncertainty looms over his future based on the lack of a Panthers extension in his case. A contract was discussed by Carolina this spring, but as the offseason progressed it became clear no long-term commitment would be forthcoming.

Carolina Panthers News / Yardbarker / September 10

Young shares thoughts on Panthers future after owner comments

Bryce Young shares thoughts on Panthers future after David Tepper comments

The club hasn't made any real commitment to Young other than picking up the fifth-year option for 2027 attached to his contract.

The 'Most Pro Bowls by NFL franchise' quiz

Tershawn Wharton News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 10

Panthers Restructure DT Tershawn Wharton For $9.7M In Cap Savings

Per Spotrac, the Panthers are converting $12.2 million of DT Tershawn Wharton‘s base salary into a signing bonus and adding three void years to create $9.7 million in 2026 cap space.