The buzz is building around the possibility of the Chicago Bears kicking off their 2026 season against one of the NFC's powerhouses in a highly anticipated matchup. Traditionally, the NFL Kickoff Game is hosted by the defending Super Bowl champion on the Thursday after Labor Day. However, with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers set to clash in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10, the Seattle Seahawks will host their opener a day earlier on Wednesday, September 9.
While the NFL typically unveils the full schedule in mid-May, fans are eagerly speculating about who the Seahawks will face. With the Rams and 49ers out, seven teams remain in the mix for the Kickoff Game: the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and New York Giants. Realistically, the Giants and Cardinals might be long shots, given their recent struggles.
There's a growing sentiment, including from notable voices like Elite Takes, that the Bears could be the chosen opponent. Adding to the intrigue, new Chicago Bear Coby Bryant, fresh off a Super Bowl 60 victory with the Seahawks, expressed his desire for the Bears to visit Seattle for the opener.
The Bears have only graced the NFL Kickoff Game once, back in 2019, when they hosted the Green Bay Packers to celebrate the NFL’s 100th season. That game ended in a tough 10-3 loss for Chicago.
While the Patriots also present an enticing Week 1 matchup for Seattle, there’s speculation that the NFL might save that clash for a prime-time slot later in the season. As for the Chiefs, uncertainties surrounding Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from a torn ACL could make them a less likely option for the opener.
All signs point to the Bears being a solid and exciting choice for the Seahawks' Kickoff Game, setting the stage for a thrilling start to the season.