Bears’ grades are in. How did they do against the Panthers?

Call it ego. Call it arrogance. Call it recklessness.

Call Ben Johnson’s preposterous decision to go for it on fourth-and-one at the Bears’ 21-yard line all those things. You won’t be wrong.

But while you’re at it: Call it bold, fearless and the kind of diabolical, mad-genius move a rollicking, loaded-for-bear offense undoubtedly loved, too.

When you look and feel as unstoppable as the Bears were in a 59-37 opening win against the Panthers, you’re bound to get nuts sometimes — and probably even live to tell about it.

By the time the Bears were finished scoring their most points in a game in 45 years and piling up their most yards — 552 — ever, there wasn’t a person on the planet left ranting about a second-quarter quarterback sneak that blew up in Johnson’s face and enabled the Panthers to tie the game 21-21 with a quick, easy red-zone drive.

But just imagine if the Bears had lost. Yeah, I know, that requires the brain to function, and we’re all still a bit too dizzy for that after watching Caleb Williams, D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai and the rest of an offensive wrecking crew run utterly wild. Still, this game was up for grabs well into the third quarter, the Bears’ defense having enormous trouble with Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who for a good while stood almost as tall as Williams in a battle of former No. 1 overall picks. In an alternate universe in which the Bears were 0-1 instead of 1-0, Johnson’s gamble would be viewed as an outrageous gaffe.

“Yeah, I felt pretty good about it,” Johnson said.

Evel Knievel felt pretty good about attempting to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace, too. That didn’t make it a good idea.

Some spirits are too strong and fierce to be held down, though. One man climbs on a motorcycle and puts life and limb at risk. Another stares at reporters with clear eyes and says he wants to score more points than any team in the history of the NFL.

You don’t think Bears players run a bit harder, block a bit longer and believe a bit more when the nutty professor points to the 2013 Broncos’ 37.9 points per game and says, “You’re damn right we can top that”?

Johnson should have sent the punter out there. Come on, it was obvious.

But he lived to tell about it — without a broken bone or even a scratch — which means you already know he’ll do it again.

MAKING THE GRADE

QUARTERBACK — A

Is it too soon to give the league’s MVP award to Williams? This was superstar stuff all the way through. When the Bears were down 7-0 after a rocky start, Williams calmed things down with a third-and-long dart to Luther Burden that got a touchdown drive going. He threw the ball 55 yards in the air off one foot, while rolling out, to find Rome Odunze on the second TD drive. His 22-yarder to Cole Kmet for TD No. 3 deserves a Smithsonian display. As well as Williams slung the pill, his 10 rushes for 65 yards and two TDs had an even bigger impact on what was — hands down — his best regular-season game yet.

RUNNING GAME — A

OK, Swift, we get it — you deserved the heck out of that three-year extension the Bears just gave you. Seriously, Swift, who had 18 carries for 124 yards and three scores, never looked better. Monangai’s 61-yard touchdown run reminded fans why they fell in love with him as a rookie. The Panthers will see guard Jonah Jackson and tackle Darnell Wright in their nightmares.

WIDE RECEIVERS — A

Odunze’s long catch was spectacular, and Burden (five catches, 63 yards) did well despite an early fumble, but enough about them — it was Kalif Raymond who stole the show in his first game as a Bear. Eight catches, more than one of them of the diving, chain-moving variety? Man, every team could use a guy like this.

DEFENSE — C

How great can one feel about a “D” that gave up 478 yards and 37 points? Cornerback Jaylon Johnson is still chasing after Jalen Coker and Jonathon Brooks. The Bears’ linebacker unit should feel free to make many more plays. There were good things, though, among them Johnson’s clutch punch-out to cause a Tetairoa McMillan fumble, solid tackling by first-round safety Dillon Thieneman, a dazzling interception by rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad and sack No. 1 for Montez Sweat.

SPECIAL TEAMS — B-PLUS

Cairo Santos’ first kickoff fell short of the landing zone to set up the Panthers at the 40-yard line, which can’t happen. But you’ll take punter Tory Taylor’s 51-yard average anytime, especially when there’s a muff recovered by Kaden Davis — fresh up from the practice squad — mixed in. Dayo Odenigbo got a meathook on a PAT attempt or else it would’ve been 59-38.