Following a breakout playoff run, Chicago faces a brutal schedule. Insiders suggest the divisional champions could kick off the season in a high-stakes Wednesday night showdown in Seattle.
The Chicago Bears won their first divisional title since 2018.
Although the team was wildly successful in the first year of Ben Johnson's reign, it now must contend with one of the best schedules in the NFL.
Chicago reached the playoffs for the first time since 2020, making it all the way to the Divisional Round before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in overtime 20-17.
After the year they had, the Bears now have the best strength of schedule ranking, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. We already know the Bears' opponents for this season.
Outside of the NFC North, Chicago is facing the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears are facing the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks on the road.
It's been speculated that the Bears are going to face the Seahawks to open the 2026 season. ESPN's Michael Wilbon predicted that would be the matchup to open the season.
Now, Schefter has weighed in.
On a recent edition of "The Pat McAfee Show," Schefter believed that the Bears would open the 2026 season against the Seahawks on Wednesday night.
"Most of the information has kinda been let out by them, but we'll see how it works out," Schefter said. "I always think the opener, the Wednesday night opener in Seattle, is always a big deal. It feels like that game is gonna be either the Chicago Bears or the New England Patriots. My guess today, and it's a guess, would be the Bears in Seattle on that Wednesday night game before we get the Thursday night Rams-49ers game."
If what Schefter said comes true, it would be a great matchup.
The Bears nearly played the Seahawks in the NFC Championship. If the Bears had beaten the Rams in the Divisional Round, they would've advanced to face the Seahawks on the road in the NFC Championship Game.
The Seahawks went on to beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl with Sam Darnold under center.
One main piece of the Seahawks' offense is gone after Kenneth Walker left the team in free agency, but it should still be one of the league's best, with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba coming off a career year.
The Bears are going to be a different team on both sides of the ball. The major departures were receiver D.J. Moore, safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, cornerback Nahshon Wright and center Drew Dalman.
Chicago didn't see Seattle last season, but the Bears may get their chance in the season opener.
The NFL schedule release is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN and NFL Network.