Former Florida Gators to play in NFL's primetime schedule for 2026

The NFL just released its full 2026 schedule and plenty of former Florida Gators are featured in the primetime slate. From the bright lights of the Swamp to the national spotlight, first-round pick defensive lineman Caleb Banks and the Minnesota Vikings were granted four primetime games next season — among them a Sunday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions in Week 15 and Thursday Night Football matchups against the New England Patriots in Week 14. Banks should see significant snaps from the onset of his career and find himself under the microscope of the national audiences right away.

Former Florida tight end Kyle Pitts will also be heavily featured along with the Atlanta Falcons in the upcoming nationwide slate. Marquee matchups include a trip to Madrid, Spain, for a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9 and an early-season Thursday Night clash against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. Staying in the NFC South, former Gators linebacker Alex Anzalone and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set for three primetime games, including a showdown against the Dallas Cowboys at A&T& Stadium and a Sunday Night Football contest against the Bears in Chicago.

The holiday schedule also includes several former Florida players who have turned pro. Vikings will take on the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City, featuring Banks and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall; the Los Angeles Rams face the Seattle Seahawks on Christmas, which will see Van Jefferson take the field; Thanksgiving has a host of former Gators competing across one of the league's biggest stages, most notably C. J.

Gardner-Johnson and the Buffalo Bills will play the Kansas City Chiefs . Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky , and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Former Florida Gators featured in NFL primetime schedule release