Arizona Cardinals given one break in 2026 regular-season schedule

The Arizona Cardinals' 2026 regular-season schedule was released on Thursday, and the league didn't do them many favors. They start the season on the road for three of their first four games and have the latest bye possible, even when they will play an extra preseason game in the Hall of Fame Game.

However, the schedule was kind to the Cardinals in one sense. They will face every opponent on regular rest. None of their opponents will be coming off a bye week.

This graphic was put together on X/Twitter by @SFdate9ers. The Cardinals are one of 14 teams who will not face a team coming off a bye week.

Bye week opponents in 2026

It doesn't appear to be because of any sort of favor. Of the four teams with the most opponents coming off byes, three are expected to be playoff contenders, and then there are the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, other expected contenders — the world champion Seattle Seahawks, the Chicago Bears, the Buffalo Bills and others — are like the Cardinals and face nobody coming off a bye.

Based on the variance, it appears to be something the league simply doesn't factor into its schedule-making formula.

No matter why it happened, it is a good thing for the Cardinals. Considering the challenges they are expected to have in 2026 in terms of competition, the last thing they need is a scheduling disadvantage.

So there is that, at least.

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