When the NFL announced Monday the Giants will host the Cowboys in the first 2026 “Sunday Night Football” game, it eliminated two candidates to face the Seahawks in the second-ever Wednesday night season opener Sept. 9.
Offseason speculation has linked the Bears as the defending Super Bowl champion’s Week 1 opponent, though the Bears had not received any word in recent days. The NFL is now down to five options: the Bears, Chiefs, Patriots, Chargers and Cardinals. Picking the Chiefs with quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ health in question is risky both for NBC and the NFL; the Chiefs owner has expressed doubt they’d play the opener.
The Rams and 49ers are on the Seahawks’ home schedule but will be playing Week 1 in Australia. The Seahawks game is the second Wednesday opener ever; in 2012, it avoided a conflict with the Democratic National Convention.
The NFL will release its full schedule Thursday night. Select games will be announced beforehand, including the full international slate Wednesday.
In addition to NFC North opponents, the Bears will host the Buccaneers, Eagles, Jaguars, Jets, Patriots and Saints in 2026. They’ll travel to play the Bills, Dolphins, Falcons, Panthers and Seahawks.