Bears score 59 points in opening win despite quiet days for a couple of Williams' top targets

CHICAGO (AP) — Colston Loveland was shut out. Rome Odunze had just two receptions on the day. Luther Burden lost an early fumble.

The long-term sustainability of Chicago's prolific offensive performance in Week 1 might be more about who was along for the ride on Sunday than the Bears' biggest stars in a 59-37 victory at Carolina. Loveland, Odunze and Burden were mostly quiet against the Panthers — at least statistically — and it didn't matter at all.

“We got a lot of weapons, so I mean, the ball go to whoever," wide receiver Jahdae Walker said Monday. "We all are capable of making plays and that just shows (the depth) in our receiver and offensive rooms.”

Walker caught one of Caleb Williams' two touchdown passes, a 1-yarder in the fourth quarter. Williams also rushed for 65 yards and two TDs as the Bears gained 291 yards on the ground in the highest scoring opener in franchise history.

“It’s further along right now than where we started a year ago in terms of that running game,” coach Ben Johnson said. “I knew it was going to take a minute. To see our starting point this year and what we can build off of, it’s really encouraging.”

Loveland, Odunze and Burden were three of Chicago's top four receivers last year, when the Bears went 11-6 and won the NFC North for the first time since 2018. Loveland had 58 receptions for 713 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie tight end. Burden finished with 47 catches for 652 yards and two TDs in his first year, and Odunze had 44 receptions for 661 yards and six TDs in his second NFL season.

Loveland had no catches in the opener against the Panthers. Odunze had a terrific 47-yard reception in the first quarter, and then one more catch for 5 yards the rest of the way. Burden coughed up the ball on Chicago's first possession and finished with five receptions for 63 yards.

Loveland, Odunze and Burden likely will show up in a major way soon, and in the meantime, the Bears made the most of an opportunity to show off their offensive depth.

“We all believe in each other,” Walker said. “We see it during practice. Everybody making plays. So it’s like, he make a play, I’m gonna try to go make a play to keep the momentum sustained. So it’s just fun having a group like this and everybody young and we all just striving to be better each and every day, so it’s just fun to be in this group.”

Johnson likes to say, “No block, no rock,” a familiar football mantra. And Chicago's receivers and tight ends had a big day with their downfield blocking against Carolina. The Bears had four runs of 25-plus yards, equaling their total from all of last season.

“That certainly showed up on the tape,” Johnson said. “We had a lot of our little guys going down and making big plays for us on the running game that ended up being some big runs for us.”

The defense, especially up front and in the secondary, was a major question for Chicago going into the season. After Week 1, it remains a concern.

Chicago recorded just two sacks while Carolina's Bryce Young was 23 for 37 for 361 yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers also rushed for 125 yards on 22 attempts.

Kalif Raymond made a solid first impression in his Bears debut, finishing with a team-high eight receptions for 84 yards. He also returned a punt for 23 yards in the first game of his 10th NFL season.

Raymond, who signed a one-year contract in free agency, was targeted a team-high nine times, indicating a rapport with Williams. The 32-year-old Raymond could play a key role as Chicago's opponents focus their attention on fellow receivers Odunze and Burden.

It was a rough opener for Tyrique Stevenson. The fourth-year cornerback was burned by Jalen Coker on a 51-yard touchdown reception with 12:40 left in the second quarter. He also had a missed tackle on Coker's 8-yard TD catch late in the fourth.

Left tackle Braxton Jones (upper body) and Stevenson (shoulder) got hurt during the win, but Johnson said the team came away from the game “in pretty good shape.”

6 — The Bears rushed for six TDs against the Panthers, matching the 1920 Detroit Heralds, 1920 Rock Island Independents and 1922 Canton Bulldogs for the most in a season opener in NFL history.

The Bears host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. They split their two games against Minnesota last season, losing 27-24 in Week 1 at Soldier Field and winning 19-17 on Nov. 16 on Cairo Santos' 48-yard field goal as time expired.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)

Carolina Panthers cornerback Will Lee III (24) tackles Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) runs to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky returned to the Senate to vote on Monday for the first time in three months, noticeably more frail after he was hospitalized for a June fall in his home.

McConnell's lengthy absence from the Senate generated a flood of criticism and online speculation, as he initially remained quiet for weeks about his condition. The 84-year-old senator eventually disclosed that he had been “briefly unconscious” due to the fall and had also been treated for mild pneumonia in the hospital.

He briefly addressed reporters from a wheelchair outside the Senate chamber ahead of the vote, smiling but speaking slowly and with some difficulty. McConnell joked that he wasn’t sure how many reporters would be there after dodging so many questions during his almost two decades as leader.

He said he was back in the Senate to work on a pending farm bill and because he has an ongoing interest in NATO and “backing up our good friends who are totally in the fight against the Russians.”

Reporters and photographers were told by Senate staff not to take video of his remarks in the second-floor hallway, even though video is often permitted in that area. Still images were allowed.

In a statement issued before his remarks, McConnell said that “my recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier."

“I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our Conference needs me.”

The concerns over McConnell’s absence highlighted increasing public concern about the age of lawmakers and their capacity to carry out their duties. Speculation about his condition grew so intense at one point that Kentucky’s Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear took the extraordinary step of issuing a public letter asking McConnell to update the public in a “transparent manner.”

McConnell’s absence was also felt over the summer as Republicans were unable to advance a farm bill out of committee. His return could give GOP leaders a needed vote as they try to advance legislation on cryptocurrency regulation and college sports.

McConnell, who holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Senate leader, is in his final months of his four decades in office. He is retiring at the end of January after one of the most consequential careers in modern politics.

Republicans have nominated U.S. Rep. Andy Barr to replace him, while Democrats have nominated former state lawmaker Charles Booker. McConnell said he is determined to finish out his term.

McConnell had polio in his early childhood and has long acknowledged difficulty as an adult in walking and climbing stairs.

The physician’s office in Congress in the July statement said McConnell has “experienced several falls through the year” due to his “post-polio condition.” The office said his physical therapy was aimed at reducing the risk of him falling again.

“A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team determined that he had no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumor, or hemorrhage,” the physician’s office said.

McConnell was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and was the Republican leader from 2007 until last year, serving as both majority and minority leader during that period. He has remained active as a rank-and-file senator, showing up for work when the chamber is in session, often using a wheelchair to get around.

But the senator’s physical condition has visibly declined in recent years.

He was hospitalized with a concussion in March 2023 and missed several weeks of work after falling in a Washington hotel. He twice froze up during news conferences after he returned, staring vacantly ahead before colleagues and staff. A year later, he fell and sprained his wrist while walking out of a GOP luncheon.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arrives at the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arrives at the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

FILE - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., offers remarks following the Senate Republicans policy luncheon at the Capitol, July 30, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)