Could Bears vs. Seahawks Kick Off the 2026 NFL Season? Here’s Why It Makes Sense
The confetti’s still settling in Seattle after the Seahawks claimed the 2025 Super Bowl, but the rest of the league is already turning the page. And in Chicago, there’s a quiet confidence brewing - the kind that comes from a strong season, a maturing roster, and the belief that 2026 could be their year.
That belief might get tested early - and on the biggest possible stage.
With the Seahawks now guaranteed to open the 2026 NFL season at home on Thursday night, all eyes are on who will line up across from them. And based on the schedule and some early tea-leaf reading, there’s a growing case that it could be the Chicago Bears.
Why the Bears Make Sense for Opening Night
Seattle’s list of home opponents in 2026 includes several intriguing options, but a few of the usual suspects are already off the board. The Rams and 49ers, two NFC West rivals and marquee matchups in their own right, are slated to play in Australia that same week. That rules out what might have been the most obvious pick.
The Chiefs? Always a ratings draw, but with Patrick Mahomes’ health still a question mark heading into the offseason, the league may not want to gamble on uncertainty for its biggest regular-season curtain-raiser.
A Super Bowl rematch with the Patriots is certainly in play, and the Cowboys - always a TV magnet - can't be ruled out either. But if you're looking for a matchup that combines recent drama, rising stakes, and two teams with legitimate aspirations, Bears vs. Seahawks checks a lot of boxes.
A Near-Miss in the NFC Title Race
Let’s not forget how close these two teams came to meeting in last season’s NFC Championship. The Bears were right there.
Chicago’s 2025 campaign was filled with high-stakes moments and prime-time-worthy performances. They didn’t just win games - they made headlines, turned heads, and showed flashes of a team ready to take that next step.
Seattle, of course, finished the job. They’re the reigning champs for a reason - a balanced, physical team with playmakers on both sides of the ball and a home-field advantage that remains one of the toughest in the league.
So if the Bears do get the nod for opening night, it won’t just be a scheduling decision - it’ll be a statement. The NFL would be putting two of the NFC’s most compelling teams on center stage to kick off the season. And for Chicago, it would be a golden opportunity.
A Chance to Set the Tone
Opening night in the NFL isn’t just another game. It’s a spotlight moment.
The whole football world is watching. The energy is different.
The stakes feel bigger, even if it's technically just Week 1.
For the Bears, walking into Seattle on banner night and spoiling the party would be a thunderclap of a statement. It would say, “We’re not just here to compete. We’re here to contend.”
Of course, one win - even a big one - doesn’t make a season. But momentum matters.
Perception matters. And beating the defending champs in their house to start the year?
That’s the kind of result that sticks in the minds of fans, analysts, and opponents alike.
What Comes Next
Nothing’s official yet. The full schedule won’t drop for a few more months, and plenty can change between now and then. But if the Bears do land that opening night slot, it’s a sign of how far they’ve come - and how seriously the league is taking them heading into 2026.
And if they can back it up with a win, the rest of the NFL will have to take notice.