Chicago Bears 2026 opponents officially set

1 week ago 2

The Chicago Bears are set to wrap their 2025 regular season against the Detroit Lions. But the Bears have the playoffs to look forward to, where they're slated to host either the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams or San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round.

Chicago went from worst to first in the NFC North in Ben Johnson's first season as head coach, and we'll see hoops far they can go in the postseason. But there are still some concerns for the Bears to address this offseason, specifically on defense, where the defensive line needs to be overhauled and some big salary cap decisions for GM Ryan Poles.

While the Bears have yet to write their story in the 2025 playoffs, we already know who Chicago will be playing in the 2026 season.

In addition to facing their NFC foes twice, the Bears will play the NFC South and AFC East next season, which includes home games against the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as away games against the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers.

With the Bears finishing first in the NFC North, they'll also face the same-place finishers in the NFC East, NFC West and AFC South.

Here’s a quick look at which teams the Bears will play — both home and away — next season.

Bears' home opponents

Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
New York Jets
Philadelphia Eagles
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jacksonville Jaguars

Bears' away opponents

Atlanta Falcons
Buffalo Bills
Carolina Panthers
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Miami Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings
Seattle Seahawks

Initial analysis

At first glance, the Bears have a respectable slate in 2026, especially considering they're playing a first-place schedule after their NFC North title. Not only will Chicago have to play a competitive NFC North -- facing the Lions, Packers and Vikings twice -- but they'll also face seven total playoff teams from this current season. While things can change from year to year, some of the most intriguing matchups include the Bills, Patriots, Jaguars, Eagles and Seahawks. But there are also some favorable matchups on the schedule, where they'll face the NFC South (one of the worst divisions) and NFC East (featuring the Jets and Dolphins). With that said, you never know what these teams are going to look like next season. Chicago had the second-toughest schedule when the 2024 season concluded, and it wound up being on the easier side with some teams experiencing drop offs. But this schedule certainly isn't a major juggernaut.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears 2026 opponents officially set

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