(104.3 The Score) Of all the history the Bears made in a 59-37 victory over the Panthers on Sunday in Charlotte, N.C., the most important message comes in what it says about the future.
It suggests the Bears indeed should be feared in the NFC, that all the unprecedented offseason hype around Chicago was justified, that Caleb Williams has closed the gap between production and potential and looks destined for greatness.
It says that the Bears’ foes can prepare all they want for the bold imagination and innovation of coach Ben Johnson but, ultimately, his team's secret lies in its old-school ability to run the football.
And it says yes, this potent offense looks strong enough to compensate for other weaknesses that could complicate any given game, whether it's a leaky defense a long way from scaring anybody or a cocky coach who just loves going for it on fourth down.
Consider the Bears gave up 37 points and 478 total yards, committed 12 penalties and failed on a fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak at their own 21-yard line ... yet none of it really mattered. No flaw was too obvious to mask, no obstacle too big to overcome, no defensive blemish that made you stare more than the offensive beauty. Every conceivable negative about Week 1 was rendered moot because of the collaboration of a brilliant coach and a blossoming quarterback, the way winning organizations function in the NFL.
Coaches like Johnson and quarterbacks like Williams elevate every aspect of the operation, raising the level of play with the standard, facts of football life they're well aware in NFL cities like Kansas City and Los Angeles and Foxborough, Mass., back in the day. What Williams did against the Panthers was downright Mahomesian, using a mixture of uncanny pocket presence and innate God-gifted talent to make defenders feel helpless. And the Bears offense feel invincible.
Williams completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 124.3 passer rating, and his running challenged Carolina in a way that complicated everything for the hosts. Perhaps the fastest quarterback in the league, Williams revved up to 20.8 miles per hour on his 29-yard touchdown run – and according to NextGen Stats, Williams has reached 20-plus mph seven times carrying the ball, with all other quarterbacks having five such plays.
Johnson sensed a big game from Williams at their meeting Saturday night at the team hotel when the quarterback exuded the same confidence and command he has throughout the preseason.
“His process was really good throughout,” Johnson said. “I went to bed, I slept really well with that in mind.”
Williams' passing prowess showed early and often, easing concerns over accuracy by hitting 72% of his throws, none better than the 22-yard touchdown to tight end Cole Kmet placed perfectly between two defenders.
Kalif Raymond emerged as a dependable safety valve for Williams, catching eight passes for 84 yards, including some remarkable grabs. Luther Burden III made up for an early lost fumble with five catches for 63 yards. Rome Odunze, fighting through a foot injury, provided a memorable highlight by "Mossing" Panthers cornerback Will Lee III on a 47-yard reception he clasped on Lee's helmet.
To think that the Bears’ passing game functioned at such a high level without tight end Colston Loveland catching a pass will send a shiver through the NFC North.
"The whole thing was to stay steady and when bad things do happen, we had each other's back,” Williams said.
The first opportunity for a pick-me-up came from an unexpected source: Johnson himself. The Bears faced fourth-and-1 while leading 21-14 with the ball at their own 21-yard line and 10 minutes, 35 seconds left in the second quarter. Johnson flouted conventional wisdom by calling a quarterback sneak that the Panther stuffed, one of the more wildly aggressive decisions Johnson will make all season. Or maybe not.
Addressing the decision at halftime to Bears Radio Network sideline reporter Jason McKie, Johnson said, “I stunk it up ... They covered my butt.”
But postgame, fresh off a 59-point performance in which his offseason goal of being the most prolific offense in NFL history didn't seem so far-fetched, Johnson sounded less contrite.
“I felt pretty good about it,” Johnson said. "You look back in hindsight, when a play doesn't work, you always question the play call.”
It was fair to first- and second-guess a call that reflected a coach who, despite his brilliance, still can lean a little much into boldness. Nonetheless, Williams took responsibility for the offense not rewarding Johnson's belief in the unit.
“It says we gotta go get it,” Williams said. “When Coach has that faith and trust in us … that's a mentality play when it's fourth-and-1. But we've gotta be better.”
Opposing defensive coordinators shudder at the thought. Whether it was the offensive line or the one-two running tandem of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, 291 rushing yards announced what the Bears believe they do best.
Swift, fresh off signing a three-year, $33-75 million contract extension, looked like a bargain with 18 carries for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Monangai, banged up during a rigorous training camp, reminded everyone he's more than a downhill runner by running away from everyone on a 61-yard touchdown scamper. He finished with 100 yards on 10 carries in a game the Bears offensive line tilted the field.
"The story of the game ended up being the rushing,” Johnson said.
The story of the defense unfolded predictably.
This is a unit that bid farewell to the NFL's leading interceptor last season, Kevin Byard at safety, and takeaway machine Nahshon Wright at cornerback before losing prized free-agent safety Coby Bryant to a serious knee injury. Throw in the exits of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, and uncertainty was expected. Especially considering that three rookies – safety Dillon Thieneman, nickel cornerback Malik Muhammad and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg – were being counted on heavily Week 1. Veteran safety Xavier Woods being inactive with a groin injury thrust Muhammad into a starting role.
Much work remains. Thieneman led the defense with 10 tackles and Muhammad nabbed his first NFL interception, but Panthers receivers found too much room too often. Bryce Young completed 23 of 37 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns, finding the pocket much too comfy. Montez Sweat and Kentavious Street each had a sack, but defensive coordinator Dennis Allen won't have any problem finding ways to motivate his group this week.
Allen's defense gave up 37 points, and the Bears won by 22 in Carolina. The video will speak for itself, but coaches will find plenty of chances to add expletive-laced constructive criticism.
And, thanks the Bears offense, none of it mattered enough to alter the outcome.
Not in Johnson's wildest dreams as a young boy growing up two hours away in Asheville, N.C. could he have imagined one day setting so many records in his first game as an NFL head coach in his home state. The highlights of a long list: The Bears set a franchise record for points in a season opener, total offense in a season opener and combined with the Panthers to establish a new Week 1 record for points.
It was probably more fun to watch than endure.
“We talked about with the team, find a way to get to the plane with a win,” Johnson said. "And we accomplished that.”
Look out below, Bears opponents.
David Haugh hosts the Haugh & Payton Show from 5:30-10 a.m. weekdays on 104.3 The Score.
