Chicago Bears 2026 Season Preview: Opponents, Challenges, and Expectations
The Chicago Bears are gearing up to finish their 2025 regular season against the Detroit Lions before heading into the playoffs. They are set to host either the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, or San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round. Under head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears made a remarkable turnaround from worst to first in the NFC North this season. The team will now focus on addressing concerns, particularly on defense, during the offseason, including revamping the defensive line and making key salary cap decisions.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the Bears already know their opponents. In addition to facing NFC rivals twice, they will play against the NFC South and AFC East teams. This includes exciting matchups like home games against the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as away games against the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers. The Bears will also face teams that finished in the same place in the NFC East, NFC West, and AFC South.
The 2026 schedule presents a mix of challenging and favorable matchups for the Bears. While they will have to navigate a tough NFC North division with games against the Lions, Packers, and Vikings, they will also face seven playoff teams from the current season. Some intriguing matchups include the Bills, Patriots, Jaguars, Eagles, and Seahawks. However, the Bears will also have opportunities against teams from the NFC South and NFC East, which may offer a more favorable playing field. The schedule, while competitive, is not overwhelmingly difficult, and the Bears will need to stay prepared for any surprises that may arise next season.