Inside Bears' locker room after dominant shootout win vs. Panthers
Take a look inside an electric Bears locker room following their historic win over the Panthers in Week 1, which included more "Good, Better, Best."
The Chicago Bears secured a dominant 59-37 shootout victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, marking a historic start to the 2026 season. Despite an early turnover and a 7-0 deficit, the Bears staged three consecutive touchdown drives, seemingly in control until the Panthers staged a half-time comeback, leading 31-24. Chicago's second-half surge yielded 28 more points, sealing a resounding triumph.
Post-game, the Bears social team captured a video tour of the winning locker room, where head coach Ben Johnson acknowledged his team's success. Johnson honored a trio of players – safety Dillon Thieneman, the entire offensive line, and running back D Andre Swift – with three game balls. Thieneman, making his rookie debut, led the defense with tackles and secured a forced fumble in the second half.
The offensive line delivered 291 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, while Swift contributed 124 rushing yards and three scores, just days after securing a significant contract. Johnson revived a cherished tradition in the postgame locker room with his "Good, Better, Best" chant, which the players eagerly anticipated following his impassioned postgame speech.
The Bears' offensive prowess was on full display, but the team acknowledged the need for improvement across all phases ahead of their Week 2 clash against the Minnesota Vikings.
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