On the runway to Thursday’s NFL schedule release party, the league put out a social media post that served as a warning to Chicago. Based on the 2025 win-loss records of opponents, the Bears enter the 2026 season with the league’s most difficult schedule.
The Bears got a little artsy with their schedule release video. Rome Odunze did his best Bob Ross impression to reveal the schedule.
Twelve of the team’s 17 games will come against teams that finished last season with winning records, including eight against 2025 playoff teams. Both of last year’s Super Bowl competitors — the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks — are on the docket, in Weeks 7 and 8, respectively. The Super Bowl LIX champ Philadelphia Eagles will also visit Soldier Field in September for a Monday night affair.
The Bears’ emergence last season – 11 wins, a division title, a dramatic comeback playoff win over Green Bay – came with quarterback Caleb Williams and coach Ben Johnson establishing themselves as compelling characters. As a reward, the Bears have been scheduled for seven standalone games, including five in primetime, that will put the team’s readiness to take the next step on full display.
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
| Wk. | Matchup | Date | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @ |
Panthers
|
Sunday, Sept. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | |
| 2 |
Vikings
|
Sunday, Sept. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
| 3 |
Eagles
|
Monday, Sept. 28 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
| 4 |
Jets
|
Sunday, Oct. 4 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
| 5 | @ |
Packers
|
Sunday, Oct. 11 | 4:25 p.m. | |
| 6 | @ |
Falcons
|
Sunday, Oct. 18 | 1:00 p.m. | |
| 7 |
Patriots
|
Thursday, Oct. 22 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
| 8 | @ |
Seahawks
|
Monday, Nov. 2 | 8:15 p.m. | |
| 9 |
Buccaneers
|
Sunday, Nov. 8 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
| 10 | BYE | ||||
| 11 |
Saints
|
Sunday, Nov. 22 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
| 12 | @ |
Lions
|
Thursday, Nov. 26 | 1:00 p.m. | |
| 13 |
Jaguars
|
Sunday, Dec. 6 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
| 14 | @ |
Dolphins
|
Sunday, Dec. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | |
| 15 | @ |
Bills
|
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 8:20 p.m. | |
| 16 |
Packers
|
Friday, Dec. 25 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
| 17 |
Lions
|
Sunday, Jan. 3 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
| 18 | @ |
Vikings
|
TBA
|
