Bears' Johnson Doubles Down on Offense After 59-Point Rout — SkimNews
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- Ben Johnson reaffirmed his offseason goal of breaking the 2013 Broncos' single-season scoring record (37.9 PPG) after the Bears' 59-37 win over Carolina, saying 'we want to be the highest scoring, we want to have the most wins, we want to win Super Bowls.'
- The Bears piled up 552 yards of offense — third-most in a Super Bowl-era game — with five different players scoring touchdowns, though they fumbled their opening drive and drew four penalties in the first five minutes.
- Caleb Williams turned in his first career multi-rushing-touchdown game, completing 21 of 29 for 269 yards and two TDs, while D'Andre Swift added 124 rushing yards and three scores on 18 carries and Kyle Monangai rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown.
- Carolina's defense — freshly rebuilt with Jaelan Phillips (4yr/$120M) and Devin Lloyd (3yr/$42M) — allowed 291 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 39 carries, with coach Dave Canales declining to make 'any declarations' until he reviewed the film.
- Bryce Young threw for 361 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, with newly signed edge rusher Jaelan Phillips calling the 59 points 'ugly' and 'embarrassing' for the Panthers' defense.
- Williams acknowledged the Bears' 12 penalties, a fumble and a muffed punt, saying the team aimed to 'be truthers about ourselves' and clean up the sloppy start despite the lopsided result.
Why it matters: Carolina's $162 million defensive splurge on Phillips and Lloyd produced a 291-yard, six-touchdown rushing collapse in Week 1, immediately raising pressure on defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and the Panthers' offseason blueprint. For Chicago, Williams' first multi-rushing-TD game and a 552-yard output validate Johnson's scheme, but a fumble on the opening drive and 12 penalties signal the ceiling depends on discipline, not just firepower.
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