The Chicago Bears will not open the 2026 NFL season against the Seattle Seahawks. Instead, the Seahawks will face the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch on September 9, 2026.
Key points
Bears will not open 2026 season against Seahawks
Seahawks to face Patriots in Super Bowl rematch
Game scheduled for September 9, 2026, at 8:20 p.m. ET
Coby Bryant's potential matchup against former team missed
Caleb Williams to face Seahawks' defense in 2026
Chicago BearsSeattle SeahawksNew England PatriotsCoby Bryant
Bears won't open 2026 season vs. Seahawks
Despite plenty of speculation, the Chicago Bears won't open the 2026 season on the road against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Seahawks will battle the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
Bears-Seahawks was a matchup that's been long theorized by NFL analysts and fans alike given the trajectory of both teams. The Seahawks are coming off a Super Bowl win while the Bears were one of the NFL's most exciting stories last season, going from worst to first, winning the NFC North and providing some of the most thrilling fourth-quarter finishes in 2025.
As for potential storylines heading into the Week 1 matchup, new Bears safety Coby Bryant would've faced off against his former Seahawks team after electing to join Chicago despite reported interest from Seattle bringing him back. Then there's the Caleb Williams of it all, as the third-year quarterback has been a human highlight reel, and he'll eventually have to face the Seahawks' dominant defense.
Atlanta Falcons (AWAY)
Q&A
Why won't the Bears play the Seahawks in the 2026 season opener?
The Bears will not play the Seahawks in the 2026 season opener due to the Seahawks facing the New England Patriots instead.
When is the Seahawks vs. Patriots game scheduled for 2026?
The Seahawks will play the Patriots on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 8:20 p.m. ET.
What are the implications of the Bears not opening against the Seahawks?
The Bears missing this matchup alters anticipated storylines, including the potential clash between new safety Coby Bryant and his former team.
Who is Caleb Williams and why is he significant for the Bears in 2026?
Caleb Williams is the Bears' third-year quarterback known for his exciting play, and he will face the Seahawks' strong defense in the upcoming season.
Related Articles
Sports·Recap
A Look Back at Purdue Basketball: Gicarri Harris
A recap of Gicarri Harris's performance in the 2025-2026 season.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Recap
Trinity Catholic softball scores major upset to advance in FHSAA playoffs
Trinity Catholic softball scores a 3-0 upset over Umatilla to become District 6 champions!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Recap
La Salle softball sends NK, rest of league a reminder as playoffs near
La Salle softball secures 11-1 win over North Kingstown, highlighting their playoff readiness.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
'No one fights alone': Nipmuc, St. Paul softball teams rally around Dudley teen battling brain cancer
Nipmuc and St. Paul softball teams unite for Dudley teen battling brain cancer
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Preview
How to watch San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Don't miss the Giants vs. Dodgers game tonight at 7:10 p.m. PT!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
What We Know — And Don’t Know — About The Green Bay Packers’ Schedule
Packers to learn 2026 schedule on Thursday at 7 p.m. CST.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Buffalo Bills (AWAY)
Carolina Panthers (AWAY)
Detroit Lions (HOME and AWAY)
Green Bay Packers (HOME and AWAY)
Jacksonville Jaguars (HOME)
Miami Dolphins (AWAY)
Minnesota Vikings (HOME and AWAY)
New England Patriots (HOME)
New Orleans Saints (HOME)
New York Jets (HOME)
Philadelphia Eagles (HOME)
Seattle Seahawks (AWAY)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (HOME)
1 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Atlanta Falcons (AWAY)
1 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Atlanta Falcons (AWAY)
2 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Buffalo Bills (AWAY)
3 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Carolina Panthers (AWAY)
4 / 14
Bears vs. Lions: Photos from Chicago's loss in Week 18
Detroit Lions (HOME and AWAY)
5 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Green Bay Packers (HOME and AWAY)
6 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Jacksonville Jaguars (HOME)
7 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Miami Dolphins (AWAY)
8 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Minnesota Vikings (HOME and AWAY)
9 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
New England Patriots (HOME)
10 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
New Orleans Saints (HOME)
11 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
New York Jets (HOME)
12 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Philadelphia Eagles (HOME)
13 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Seattle Seahawks (AWAY)
14 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (HOME)
Typically, the NFL Kickoff Game takes place on Thursday, but given the international matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers on Thursday in Australia, the league is kicking things off a day earlier and providing four thrilling days of football to kick off the 2026 season.
The NFL will reveal the 2026 schedule on Thursday night, so we still don't know who the Bears will play in Week 1. Follow our Bears schedule release tracker for the latest.