The Chicago Bears will have seven standalone games in 2026, showcasing their potential with quarterback Caleb Williams. The games are ranked from least to most compelling, with the Christmas Day matchup against the Green Bay Packers taking the top spot.
Key points
Chicago Bears have seven standalone games in 2026
Caleb Williams is the new quarterback for the Bears
Games are ranked from least to most compelling
Christmas Day game against Packers is the highlight
Bears are expected to be more competitive this season
Chicago BearsGreen Bay PackersNew England PatriotsBuffalo Bills
Dec 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) catches the game-winning forty-six yard touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Caleb Williams (not pictured) against Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) in overtime at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
Dec 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) catches the game-winning forty-six yard touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Caleb Williams (not pictured) against Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) in overtime at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears will be featured on plenty of national NFL broadcasts in 2026. The NFL believes in Ben Johnson, and they believe in Caleb Williams. Weâve always said how much the NFL loves the Chicago Bears and loves it when they are good. Unfortunately, itâs not something theyâve ever had the privilege of having consistently in the modern media landscape, at least not with a marketable quarterback.
Thatâs changed, and the Bears have seven standalone games in primetime and on alternate days.
Letâs take a look at those games and rank them worst to best.
All these games are very good, as the NFL isnât going to put the Bears against the on Sunday Night Football, but of all the games, this is the least compelling. The Bucs fell apart at the end of last season, and Todd Bowles looks like he might be on his last legs as the teamâs head coach. The Bucs strike me as a middle-of-the-road team this season, and this one isnât going to get the hype machine from the NFL media.
Q&A
What are the Chicago Bears' standalone games in 2026?
The Bears will play seven standalone games, including matchups against the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills.
Why are the Bears' games in 2026 considered significant?
These games are significant as they highlight the Bears' potential resurgence in the NFL, particularly with the addition of quarterback Caleb Williams.
Which game is ranked as the most compelling for the Bears in 2026?
The most compelling game is the Christmas Day matchup against the Green Bay Packers, noted for being the NFL's oldest rivalry.
How does the Bears' 2026 schedule reflect their current team dynamics?
The schedule reflects a belief in the Bears' improved performance and marketability, particularly with key players like Caleb Williams and DJ Moore.
I think the top 5 get tricky to rank, but I am pretty confident that these two are the bottom of the seven. The Eagles will most likely be good, but they are another team that seems past their peak and will most likely trade AJ Brown, and if Jalen Hurts has another up-and-down season, the Eagles might be a team that only wins 8 or 9 games this season. The Bears, of course, were the team that derailed their season last year and exposed them for who they were.
**5. Seattle Seahawks on the road, Week 8, Monday Night Football**
You might all think Iâm crazy for putting the defending Super Bowl champions this low in the rankings, but Iâm a big fan of QB matchups, and Sam Darnold is a good QB, but heâs just not compelling to me. I love the idea of Ben Johnsonâs offense against Mike Macdonaldâs defense, and itâs a Coby Bryant revenge game if that gets you excited, but I think these other four games are just more interesting.
**4. Detroit Lions on the road, Week 12, Thanksgiving**
If this were last season, with Ben Johnsonâs return to Detroit, it would be higher on the list, but weâve done that one already. The Bears didnât have a lot of success against the Lions last year, so this will be Ben Johnsonâs opportunity to get his first win against his old club. This will be a great game to kick off a loaded holiday slate, but it falls just short of the top three.
**3. Buffalo Bills on the road, Week 15, Saturday game**
I considered long and hard to put this one at number two, but in the end, this one settles at number three for me. Josh Allen against Caleb Williams is awesome. With the game being in Buffalo in December in their new stadium, with a chance of snow, it could be cinematic on television. This is one everyone should circle because, by December, this could feature a battle of two top 5 quarterbacks in the league. Plus, itâs the DJ Moore revenge game.
I think most fans would have this lower in the rankings, but this is a matchup I love, and no, it has nothing to do with Mike Vrabelâs current situation. One, the Bears will always be cosmically tied to the Patriots thanks to 46-10 in Super Bowl XX. But beyond that, to me, this is a battle of the first and second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. I know they are in opposite conferences, so they wonât meet often, but I think the NFL would love the idea of Drake Maye and Caleb Williams both becoming top-five QBs coming out of the same draft, and being the big dogs of the league over the next decade. The first Maye vs Williams was a debacle; this one should be far more compelling.
**1. Green Bay Packers at home, Week 16, Christmas Day**
How can it not be? The NFLâs oldest (and best) rivalry kicks off the NFLâs trio of games on Christmas Day, and it will be the Bearsâ first appearance on Netflix. I think some fans are going to be annoyed that the NFL is going to hijack some familiesâ Christmases, but Soldier Field will be littered with Santa suits and posters of the Packers getting coal, and it should be absolutely fantastic theater. The Bears are back. The rivalry is back, and the NFL is putting it out there for the world to watch.