Seahawks' 2026 Opener: Patriots, Bears, and a Surprise Candidate in the Mix
In the lead-up to the 2026 NFL schedule release, speculation swirled around which team the Seattle Seahawks would face in Week 1. Traditionally, the reigning Super Bowl champion hosts the opening game, and Seattle was set to welcome one of nine opponents: the Rams, Cardinals, 49ers, Cowboys, Giants, Bears, Chiefs, Chargers, or Patriots. With the Rams and 49ers playing in Australia that week, they were ruled out. The NFL aimed for a marquee matchup, making the Bears and Patriots popular choices. Ultimately, the league considered three teams: New England, Chicago, and a surprise candidate—the New York Giants. Mike North, the NFL's vice president of broadcast planning, confirmed the Giants were in the mix, especially with John Harbaugh stepping in as head coach. North stated, "We absolutely looked at the Giants," highlighting the storyline of Harbaugh facing Mike Macdonald, his former defensive coordinator. Although the Giants finished a disappointing 4-13 last season, they have had success in Seattle, winning twice at Lumen Field since 2020. The Chiefs were never a serious contender for the opener, as team owner Clark Hunt indicated that with Patrick Mahomes recovering from an ACL injury, it was not the right fit. In the end, the Seahawks will host the Patriots in Week 1, a matchup North explained was about the teams' on-field performance rather than media narratives. The Bears will travel to Seattle in Week 8, but the focus now shifts to the anticipated opener with New England.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-22