Week 1 of the regular season is here, so it’s time for a quick offseason refresher and Week 1 preview for all four teams in the NFC North:

CHICAGO

2025 record: 11-6 (NFC North Champions)

Week 1 opponent: at Carolina, Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m.

2026 strength of schedule: 1st (.550 opponent win percentage based on 2025 record and includes nine games against 2025 playoff teams)

New faces: C Garrett Bradbury, LB Devin Bush, S Dillon Thieneman, WR Kalif Raymond, C Logan Jones, TE Sam Roush

Key losses: Coby Bryant (knee injury), DL Gervon Dexter (trade), WR DJ Moore, C Drew Dalman (retirement), S Jaquan Brisker, S Kevin Byard, LB Tremaine Edmunds

Breakout player to watch: WR Luther Burden III

Entering his second season after a solid rookie campaign (47 catches, 652 yards), Burden is primed for a big role in the passing game as he steps into the No. 2 role at receiver behind Rome Odunze. Ben Johnson’s offense has a way of getting skill players in favorable matchups and Burden should benefit from the increased usage.

Most significant change: Defensive makeover

The Bears’ defense will look much different Week 1 than the one they put out on the field in the playoffs. Five of the top six players who led them in defensive snaps last season are no longer on the roster. It’s a completely new safety duo after Brisker and Byard left in free agency, and there are some new pieces to mix into the front seven as well.

Twentyman: It’s a little different being the hunted instead of the hunters in this league. Chicago has to navigate a first-place schedule, which makes a big difference in the opponent in those three crossover games. The Bears won seven games last season after trailing in the final two minutes. Offensively, Chicago is formidable going into the second year of Johnson’s offense.

Quarterback Caleb Williams is also a breakout candidate, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he becomes the first Bears quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards. Johnson has already stated how he wants this offense to be the most prolific in NFL history. For me, it all comes down to the defense. How quickly will the new pieces gel? Can they lead the league in takeaways (33) like they did last year?