The Chicago Bears may have won their season opener over the Carolina Panthers, but looking past the crazy high score, the defense didn't come away looking too good. It's fantastic that the Bears scored 59 points, but letting up 37 points and 361 passing yards isn't exactly the outcome that Dennis Allen likely had hoped for. Malik Muhammad, however, gave a promising performance in an otherwise troubling showing from the Bears' defense.
Malik Muhammad carried his preseason promise into Week 1
Muhammad played in the preseason games, but Carolina was his regular season debut. Muhammad collected three total tackles, but it was really the timing of those tackles that made all the difference.
Late in the second quarter, Muhammad broke up a pass intended for Tetairoa McMillan at Chicago's 26 yard line. Carolina had been moving down the field to take the lead, but as a result of Muhammad's efforts, plus another two failed passes from Bryce Young, the Panthers settled for a field goal to tie the score.
Without Muhammad's stop there, the Bears may have still taken the lead, but it may have had to wait until the second half. The Bears of course scored again quickly and the Panthers again had the ball with little time left to attempt a score before halftime. With eleven seconds left on the clock, Young tried a deep shot intended for Jalen Coker, which provided Muhammad's first career interception.
First career interception for Malik Muhammad 🤘@Returnof7 x @ChicagoBears
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 13, 2026
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In the course of Muhammad extending for his pick, he landed on the ball and knocked the wind out of himself, but soon returned to play following halftime. It's encouraging when a young player shows his resiliency by bouncing back.
Muhammad's debut may be categorized as a success, but it didn't come without its hiccups. McMillan got the up on Muhammad several times, showing why his receiving skills are so renowned across the league. But the rookie stood up to McMillan well, given the circumstances, and it was a promising debut.
Muhammad’s debut did not erase the concerns surrounding Chicago’s secondary, but it provided a reason for optimism. If the rookie continues producing timely plays, Dennis Allen may have to find him an increasingly prominent role.
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