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Bears’ 2026 Schedule: Panthers Opener, Seattle Trip, Thanksgiving Lions

5/14/2026

Summary

Bears Unveil Schedule

The Chicago Bears will open the 2026 season away against Carolina Panthers in Week 1, per May 13 leak.
They will travel to Seattle to play defending champion Seahawks.
They will host a Thanksgiving game at Ford Field on Nov 26 versus Detroit Lions under coach Ben Johnson.
Chicago will not travel to Madrid, Spain.
The full schedule will be released on May 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Summary

Bears Draft Williams

The Bears traded the 2023 first-overall pick to the Panthers, drafting Caleb Williams, while Carolina selected Bryce Young.
Chicago has won seven of eight games versus Carolina since 2010, including a 36-10 win two seasons ago.
Ben Johnson becomes the Bears’ head coach for the 2026 opener, succeeding Matt Eberflus.
Bryce Young’s opening-game stats are 461 yards, three touchdowns, six interceptions and a 49.5 % completion rate, despite low-ranked passing defenses.

History

Historical Context

After Jerry Richardson secured NFL approval on October 26, 1993, the Carolina Panthers entered the league in 1995 as the 29th franchise, expanding the NFL to 30 teams. Their inaugural season produced a 7-5 record—the best ever for a first-year expansion club—and a 12-4 follow-up that won the NFC West, establishing a competitive legacy that still shapes future matchups.

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Bears Unveil Schedule

The Chicago Bears will open the 2026 season away against Carolina Panthers in Week 1, per May 13 leak.
They will travel to Seattle to play defending champion Seahawks.
They will host a Thanksgiving game at Ford Field on Nov 26 versus Detroit Lions under coach Ben Johnson.
Chicago will not travel to Madrid, Spain.
The full schedule will be released on May 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

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