With Carolina in town, the focus shifts to the quarterbacks and the shocking trade drama.

The highly anticipated Week 5 faceoff between the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers was supposed to showcase the last two No. 1 overall draft picks, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams. However, things didn’t go as planned.

Instead, the Panthers will start Andy Dalton, who took over at quarterback after head coach Dave Canales benched Young in Week 3. Dalton, who previously started six games for the Bears in 2021, will lead a rejuvenated Panthers offense against his former team in Chicago.

### Dalton-Led Panthers Offense

Since Dalton took over, the Panthers’ offense has shown signs of life. They convincingly defeated the Raiders 36-22 in Week 3 and put up a respectable 24 points in a loss to Cincinnati the following week. The Bears, fresh off a win against the Rams, will look to continue their momentum.

With Chicago at 2-2 and Carolina at 1-3, the game kicks off at noon at Soldier Field and will be broadcast on Fox. Here are five key storylines to follow.

### 1. The Impact of the Bears-Panthers Trade

The March 2023 trade between the Bears and Panthers is now being viewed with much more clarity. The Bears traded their No. 1 overall pick in 2023 to Carolina, receiving DJ Moore, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks in return. That trade set the stage for the Bears to select Caleb Williams with the Panthers’ 2024 first-round pick.

While the trade has been beneficial for Chicago, Carolina’s situation with Bryce Young has been far less promising. After just 18 starts, Young was benched. Now, the spotlight is on Dalton, whose “revenge tour” continues after facing the Bengals last week.

### 2. Caleb Williams Faces Another Struggling Defense

Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense took advantage of a weak Rams defense last week and will have a similar opportunity against Carolina. The Panthers rank among the NFL’s worst defenses, allowing 358 yards per game (28th overall). They’re also ranked 29th against the run, 31st in sack rate, and last in red zone defense.

Williams believes his offense is starting to click. “We’re definitely figuring it out,” he said. “Last game was a huge stepping stone for us.”

The Bears are entering a stretch of favorable matchups, facing six of the league’s nine lowest-rated defenses between Weeks 4 and 10. Without standout defensive talent, the Panthers’ unit, especially after trading away edge rusher Brian Burns, is unlikely to pose much of a challenge.

### 3. Andy Dalton’s Resurgence

Andy Dalton started six games for the Bears in 2021 before the team pivoted to Justin Fields. Now in his second year with Carolina, Dalton has performed well in his recent starts, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3 and following that up with 220 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a loss to the Bengals.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus acknowledged Dalton’s experience, stating, “The experience factor is huge… It’s important we do a great job with our disguises.”

Dalton will make his 166th NFL regular-season start on Sunday. His connection with top receiver Diontae Johnson, who has scored in both games Dalton has started, will be crucial for the Panthers.

### 4. Can the Bears Continue Leaning on Their Defense?

The Bears’ defense has been a bright spot, tied for third in the NFL with eight takeaways through four games. They’ve excelled against the pass, ranking third in interception rate, and have carried over the form that made them one of the toughest defenses late last season.

The Panthers will likely need a strong running game with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders if they hope to compete. Eberflus praised his secondary for its cohesion and ability to disguise coverages, which will be key against the veteran Dalton.

### 5. Bears’ Run Game Back on Track?

After a slow start to the season, Bears running back D’Andre Swift had a breakout performance last week, rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown while also adding 72 receiving yards. Swift’s versatility is one of the reasons the Bears signed him in free agency, and backup Roschon Johnson has also been efficient in limited touches.

Carolina’s struggling run defense (ranked 29th) presents another opportunity for the Bears to establish their ground game. With Khalil Herbert not playing any offensive snaps last week, the Bears are likely to lean on Swift and Johnson to continue their success.

In summary, while the Bryce Young vs. Caleb Williams showdown didn’t materialize, this game still offers plenty of intrigue, with Dalton returning to Chicago, a dynamic Bears offense, and a defense that continues to shine.