We have seen several schedule leaks, and now it is becoming clear who the teams are Seattle could face in Week 1.
The NFL is set to release the 2026 schedule in a matter of days, and the Seattle Seahawks know they'll be playing at home in Week 1, but they don't know who it will be against.
With the Dallas Cowboys facing the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, that takes away one potential opponent for Mike Macdonald's team.
So, who could be other potential matchups for the defending champs?
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo listed the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Chargers as the candidates.
That is a rather interesting group with Garafolo feeling a Bears matchup is the most likely.
Let's go through them, shall we?
Firstly, I doubt the NFL will put the lowly Arizona Cardinals against Seattle in Week 1, since it doesn't exactly seem like a big ratings boost.
The Chiefs, I don't think so, as the uncertainty surrounding Patrick Mahomes will likely mean Kansas City is crossed off.
Because we don't want San Darnold vs. Justin Fields, do we?
The Patriots are an interesting one.
A Super Bowl rematch first up? I could see that happening, and it would make for a great contest, but Garafolo isn't feeling that as a potential matchup.
Then we have the Chargers, and this could be the one.
Justin Herbert gets both his starting tackles back, plus Mike McDaniel as his offensive coordinator. I think L.A. could be a good matchup for the Seahawks to begin the season.
And lastly we get to the team who Garafolo thinks Seattle will face and that's the Bears.
A Caleb Williams and Darnold showdown in what would be a class of two NFC elites, and it would be a big ratings bonanza, I think.
Seeing what the Seahawks could dish up in their first game against the Bears, who many think will be vastly improved in 2026, is a tantalizing prospect.
So, there are a host of options, but it does feel like the Bears or Chargers are the options here, as the NFL will want to get as many eyeballs on this game as possible.
A Super Bowl rematch still could happen, but I'm not sure having it as the first game of the year is what fans want.
We are just speculating here, but the Seahawks' potential opponents, to us, are only down to a couple of teams, and in truth, either would be a great way to start the year for the defending champs.