Caleb Williams (Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images)

Rumored Bears Week 1 Opponent Leaks — And It’s Intriguing

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Alex Hoegler | Last updated Mar 26, 2026 10:03 PM ET

Speculation is growing that the Chicago Bears will open up their 2026 season against one of the NFC’s premier heavyweights in a can’t-miss showdown.

The NFL Kickoff Game traditionally takes place on the Thursday after Labor Day, usually hosted by the defending Super Bowl champion. But the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will play in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 10 (a Thursday), at 8:35 p.m. EST.

As a result, the Seahawks’ Kickoff Game will be played on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The NFL usually announces the full schedule in mid-May, so we’ll have to wait a little while to see who they’ll open the season against.

With the Rams and 49ers out of the question, that leaves seven potential opponents for the Seahawks in the Kickoff Game: The Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and New York Giants.

One can safely rule out the Giants and Cardinals as two of the NFL’s bottom-feeders, though.

Content creator Elite Takes thinks it’ll be the Bears, and they’re not alone.

Would’ve loved to see Seahawks vs Rams or 49ers on opening night. But now that they’re off the table, Seattle’s possible visitors are:

– Bears
– Cowboys
– Patriots
– Chiefs
– Chargers
– Giants
– Cardinals

I say give us Chicago
— Nico (@elitetakes_) March 25, 2026

New Chicago Bear Coby Bryant, who won a Super Bowl 60 ring with Seattle last month, told Kay Adams that he wants his team to visit the Seahawks in the Kickoff Game.

Chicago Bears Have Played In One NFL Kickoff Game

Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Since the NFL introduced the Kickoff Game in 2002, the Bears have appeared only once. That was in 2019, when they hosted the archrival Green Bay Packers to commemorate the NFL’s 100th season. Green Bay won that game 10-3.

The Patriots are another marquee Week 1 opponent for Seattle, but the NFL may prefer to run that game in prime time later in the season. They’ll probably avoid scheduling the Chiefs for the Kickoff Game, since we don’t yet know whether Patrick Mahomes will be cleared to return from his torn ACL by then.

So yes, the Bears feel like a safe and logical pick to face Seattle here.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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