Bears' 2026 opener could pit them against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks. A Wednesday showdown awaits, promising intense national attention.
We've known for a while now who the Chicago Bears are playing in 2026 outside of their divisional opponents, but a recent development has happened.
The Bears are playing the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets at home. The team is facing the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks on the road.
Chicago will face the NFC South and AFC East this upcoming season, as well as some top franchises from each conference, the Eagles and Jaguars.
The Bears already got the better of the Eagles last season, winning 24-15 at Lincoln Financial Field. Chicago is also seeing a familiar face with the Dolphins, as former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is now the head coach.
The Seahawks are going to be an interesting opponent.
Seattle just won the Super Bowl but lost key players like Kenneth Walker and Coby Bryant in free agency. According to ESPN's Michael Wilbon, the Bears are rumored to play the Seahawks to open the 2026 season.
"As Louis [Riddick] points out. It's fact," Wilbon said. "The Bears were picked fourth last year, so I'm paying no attention to Vegas odds, none. But you're looking at this, the Bears could be a better team, right, and not have as good a record, not win 11 games, that is very possible given the schedule, which I believe starts in Seattle on a Wednesday.
If true, this would be a great way for the Bears to get more national coverage. A rematch of the previous Super Bowl would've been great as well, but Chicago will love a shot at Sam Darnold and Seattle.
The Bears were one game shy of taking on the Seahawks in the playoffs. After that dramatic comeback win over the Packers, the Bears faced Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.
Chicago had some magic left, as Caleb Williams threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Cole Kmet to tie the game and force overtime, but it didn't end well there.
The Bears and Rams were tied at 17 heading into overtime, and Williams threw an interception on the team's first offensive possession. The Rams marched down the field and hit a game-winning field goal.
Los Angeles moved on and played Seattle in the NFC Championship. The Rams lost 31-27 to the Seahawks. If the Bears had won, they would've been in that position with a chance to go to the Super Bowl.
After not getting a chance against the Seahawks last season, the rumor is that the Bears are opening the 2026 season with the defending Super Bowl champs on a Wednesday.
Here's hoping that the rumors are true. If so, it would be the first time the teams have met since Williams' rookie season.