The Chicago Bears have some exciting opponents to face in the 2026 regular season, but one primetime matchup is at the top of the list for head coach Ben Johnson's team.
With five primetime games scheduled and matchups on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas, there are plenty of exciting games for the Chicago Bears this upcoming season.
The Bears will play the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football for Chicago's first primetime game of the year. Head coach Ben Johnson's team will travel to Detroit to face the Lions on Thanksgiving, and host the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on Christmas.
After an exciting 2025 season, Bears fans were spoiled with premium games to watch this year.
But there is one matchup that cements itself as the game Bears fans should be looking forward to most this season.
Week 8. Nov 2. Monday Night Football. On the road against the reigning Super Champion Seattle Seahawks.
There is no better litmus test for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams than what he will experience at Lumen Field that night.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald's defense dominated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, registering six sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 11 quarterback hits in the team's 29-13 win.
That performance was a continuation of what the Seahawks did throughout the regular season. Seattle finished as the No. 1 scoring defense (17.2 PTS/G), ranked No. 1 in expected points added allowed per rush (-0.15) and allowed the least amount of points in the first half (124).
Even though the defense didn't have one player with double-digit sacks last season, 17 players contributed to the team's 47 sacks -- tied for the seventh most. The Seahawks also ended No. 3 in total quarterback pressures (172).
Continuing Seattle's impressive defensive stats, the Seahawks were No. 1 in third down conversation percentage allowed (32.1%) and finished with 18 interceptions, fifth most.
The Seahawks did lose some key defenders from last season's Super Bowl team. Cornerback Riq Woolen, edge Boye Mafe and safety Coby Bryant all left in free agency, but Macdonald's unit still has plenty of defensive weapons, which will make life difficult for Bears coach Ben Johnson.
In the first year with Johnson, Williams helped lead the Bears to become a top-10 scoring offense (25.9 PTS/G) and were No. 3 in the league in total rushing yards (2,456) and in runs that went for 10 yards or more (67).
Williams also was only sacked 24 times last season, third-fewest in the NFL, and his seven interceptions were tied for the least amount.
Seattle's defense gets plenty of publicity, but the Seahawks also were No. 3 in the NFL in scoring (28.4 PTS/G) and were eighth in total yards. Quarterback Sam Darnold helped lead the Seahawks to 112 explosive plays (Rush 10+ and Pass 20+), finishing seventh last season.
The Bears' Week 8 matchup with the Seahawks will be one of the toughest tests Chicago will face this season, but Johnson's team will have 10 days to prepare for the game following the Week 7 contest against the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football at Soldier Field.
Whether it's primetime or holiday games, the Bears' 2026 schedule will have something for every fan to enjoy, and if you're into your beloved team facing tough opponents, make sure to circle Nov. 2 on your calendar.