Bears Schedule Release: We finally got leaks on Week 1 opponent, primetime matchups, and two holiday games for Chicago
The Chicago Bears finally know some of their upcoming 2026 schedule as the slow drip continues leading up to the NFL's official schedule release on Thursday night.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) gestures to the crowd after the game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field. David Banks-Imagn Images The Chicago Bears finally know some of their upcoming 2026 schedule as the slow drip continues leading up to the NFL’s official schedule release on Thursday night. The NFL has slowing been dripping out the 2026 schedule throughout the week leading up to the official release on Thursday night and finally the Chicago Bears got into the action on Wednesday with some games getting leaked.
Before Wednesday, all we knew is that the Bears weren’t going to Madrid, Spain to face the Atlanta Falcons and weren’t facing a few different opponents in Week 1 that already had matchups leaked. After Wednesday, we now know Chicago’s Week 1 opponent, a few different primetime games, and two holiday matchups that all got leaked. Let’s break it down.
Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers set for Week 1 Everyone, including myself, was hoping to see the Bears open the season in Seattle to face the defending Super Bowl Champs on a Wednesday night. Instead, the league announced that Week 1 will be a Super Bowl rematch between the Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
Not long after, it was revealed that the Bears will be on the road to open the season, but will instead be heading east to take on the Carolina Panthers. It’ll still be a fun matchup between two rising teams in the NFC and the Bears will be the first team to face Carolina after a strong offseason the team put together. And, of course, we get to hear all about the trade between these two teams that allowed the Panthers to draft QB Bryce Young and gave the Bears QB Caleb Williams, RT Darnell Wright, WR DJ Moore, and much more.