Bears Final 2026 Schedule Release: Chicago set for multiple primetime games with the nation ready to see what Year 2 brings under Ben Johnson
The official 2026 schedule release has finally arrived for the Chicago Bears with multiple primetime dates on the table entering the second season under head coach Ben Johnson.
The Chicago Bears’ 2026 regular season schedule has now been officially released, so go ahead and get out the calendars and start getting ready for the upcoming season.
Below is the team’s entire 17-game schedule which will include two holiday games, multiple primetime dates, and more.
Chicago Bears Official 2026 Regular Season Schedule
- Week 1: at Carolina Panthers
- Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (MNF)
- Week 4: vs. New York Jets
- Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
- Week 6: at Atlanta Falcons
- Week 7: vs. New England Patriots (TNF)
- Week 8: at Seattle Seahawks (MNF)
- Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (SNF)
- Week 10: Bye
- Week 11: vs. New Orleans Saints
- Week 12: at Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving)
- Week 13: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 14: at Miami Dolphins
- Week 15: at Buffalo Bills (Saturday Night)
- Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers (Christmas)
- Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions
- Week 18: at Minnesota Vikings
Bears set to have seven primetime/holiday games in 2026 season
Well, it certainly seems like the NFL is ready to see more of the Cardiac Bears and head coach Ben Johnson on a national stage. The Bears officially will have seven primetime games (counting the two holiday matchups). All seven are against really good teams too that will all be potential playoff teams.
Those games will be put up or shut up opportunities for a team looking to establish themselves as a legit NFC threat. And as exciting as the late-game miracles were, the Bears need to handily win some of those games to garner real respect.
Most Important Games
Week 3 against the Eagles will be a great early test for this team after starting the season at Carolina and then home against Minnesota. It’ll also be the team’s first primetime game of the season with the Eagles coming to Soldier Field out for revenge from last year’s loss.
The importance of the Christmas game against the Packers cannot be overstated enough. In 2005, the Bears and Packers played on Christmas with Chicago clinching the NFC North title in that game. This one will have even greater implications.
Top Storylines
1. Return of Micah Parsons?
Bears are scheduled to face the Packers in Week 5, and this could be the return date of stud pass rusher Micah Parsons. Parsons is likely to start the season on the PUP, which would knock him out for the first four weeks. Possible return date for Tucker Kraft as well.
2. How will the Bears matchup against the two Super Bowl teams?
Chicago will face both teams from Super Bowl LX in consecutive weeks with both games on primetime around the mid-point of the season. That’ll be a great measuring stick two-game stretch to see how this team matches up. Going from a Thursday night game to a following Monday night game will be a great break between these two games.
3. Can the Bears record a winning record vs. the NFC North?
The Bears went 2-4 in divisional games last season but still managed to claim the NFC North title. It’s rare to see that kind of thing happen in this league and the Bears will have to be better in divisional play. Chicago ends the season with three straight divisional matchups (more on that below).
Other Interesting Nuggets
- Bears got a favorable pull playing the Dolphins in Week 14. Miami has a brutal home-field advantage early in the season with the heat and how the stadium is built.
- Chicago will have a late bye week in Week 10 compared to last year (Week 5). I actually enjoyed the early bye in 2025 that essentially gave the Bears a second preseason in Weeks 1-4 to review and clean up the mistakes in Week 5.
- Toughest stretch will be Weeks 15-18, which will be playoff push time. If the Bears want to repeat as NFC North champs, they’ll have to go at least 3-1 in that stretch.
- Fans seem to be split on the holiday games. I know my family isn’t going to be thrilled.
- Lastly, I really believe the opening week game against the Panthers is going to be more competitive than people expected when it got officially announced.