NFL News 2026 General NFL News/Discussion/Non-Patriots free agents

[Hawaiipatsfan2]

Looks like this may come down to the Patriots or the Bears for the first game against the Seahawks

I know some look at this as "give them the worst game because people will watch anyways" but the NFL does like to make a splash and frankly, I don't see the Bears as generating as much interest and ratings as the Patriots.

2026 NFL schedule: Who will Seahawks play in season opener? With Cowboys, Giants off table, there's 1 clear frontrunner

The NFL has some fun opponents to choose from for the Seahawks' opening game.

sports.yahoo.com

The NFL stopped doing the SB rematch week one for good reason. It totally takes away some of the luster from the previous years title if the team that won goes out and loses week one. If anything I think a Seattle Rams rematch would have been the best option from a viewership standpoint. Especially considering they do have to play two games in the season. A part of me kind of wishes the format was. You play the first 3 games of the season against your division, and you play the last 3 games of the season against your division. Playing the same team in 2-4 week (like it sometimes happens) is just stupid to me.

 

[Hawaiipatsfan2]

Has there ever been a week 1 game where the teams met in the previous season's Super Bowl? They usually give the champs a conference opponent I think?

I'm thinking Pats-Bills on MNF to open their new stadium. Guess we'll find out soon.

They did it one time in 2016. Denver and Carolina. I thought it was the dumbest concept when it happened. Denver won 21-20 via a late missed FG. Glad they learned quickly that was a dumb idea.

 

[Rob0729]

Looks like this may come down to the Patriots or the Bears for the first game against the Seahawks

I know some look at this as "give them the worst game because people will watch anyways" but the NFL does like to make a splash and frankly, I don't see the Bears as generating as much interest and ratings as the Patriots.

2026 NFL schedule: Who will Seahawks play in season opener? With Cowboys, Giants off table, there's 1 clear frontrunner

The NFL has some fun opponents to choose from for the Seahawks' opening game.

sports.yahoo.com

I think having Seattle week 1 may be the best option. It is an easier trip to the West Coast since there is no game before and three extra days before they play week 2. Plus, Seattle might not be as sharp week one as they will be a month later.

 

[PatsFan2]

Why?? another pathetic memory from that Maye only Draft.

 

[n1997y]

I think having Seattle week 1 may be the best option. It is an easier trip to the West Coast since there is no game before and three extra days before they play week 2. Plus, Seattle might not be as sharp week one as they will be a month later.

Like that’s never been true of the Patriots?

 

[Rob0729]

Like that’s never been true of the Patriots?

It goes both ways.

 

[n1997y]

It goes both ways.

Yep. And that’s a good reason having the season opener be a rematch of the last Super Bowl would not be a good idea.

 

[Steve102]

Bro, never met a tweet you didn't like, eh?

 

[Uptown]

 

[sb1]

9/9 is a Wednesday so either not true or it’s a weird day to start the season

 

[Zuma]

9/9 is a Wednesday so either not true or it’s a weird day to start the season

Thursday in Europe ?

 

[Huckleberry1]

9/9 is a Wednesday so either not true or it’s a weird day to start the season

Minihane can be a real ****, but I would be surprised if he called this without a good source.

 

[Huckleberry1]

9/9 is a Wednesday so either not true or it’s a weird day to start the season

You're right, that date doesn't make sense.

 

[JoeSixPat]

9/9 is a Wednesday so either not true or it’s a weird day to start the season

Yes, it starts on Wednesday - Rams 49ers are in Australia for the Thursday game

 

[Rob0729]

Yep. And that’s a good reason having the season opener be a rematch of the last Super Bowl would not be a good idea.

Eh! I think the advantage of not having to fly to the West Coast in the middle of the season and then fly back is a bigger advantage than having to face the Seahawks at the start of the season before the team is clicking on all cylinders.

And we don't know if the Pats would come out with a slow start. Last year was different because there new coach, new system, and a lot of new starters including a bunch of rookies. Last year, the entire o-line except for Owenu was new with two rookies manning the left side of the line. This year will be different since it will be year two and at most there will be one or two rookies starting.

 

[JoeSixPat]

You're right, that date doesn't make sense.

This year it's a Wednesday - Thursday is in Australia

 

[sb1]

If week 1 is @ Seattle I wonder if the league will keep the Pats on the west coast (@ Chargers) in week 2.

 

[Rob0729]

Minihane can be a real ****, but I would be surprised if he called this without a good source.

I don't know. I don't remember it, but I saw online that he did something like this a few years back and he was wrong and people said he was just doing click bait.

If he is making it up, it is a safe bet. We already know that three of the eight home opponents are already locked up in other games the opening week (Cowboys, Giants, and Chiefs). We know it won't be against the Cardinals. Of the other home games, the most likely ones they would schedule for the marquee opening game of the season would be the Pats, Bears, and Rams. So he got a 1 in 3 chance of being right.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I don't know. I don't remember it, but I saw online that he did something like this a few years back and he was wrong and people said he was just doing click bait.

If he is making it up, it is a safe bet. We already know that three of the eight home opponents are already locked up in other games the opening week (Cowboys, Giants, and Chiefs). We know it won't be against the Cardinals. Of the other home games, the most likely ones they would schedule for the marquee opening game of the season would be the Pats, Bears, and Rams. So he got a 1 in 3 chance of being right.

He can be a real ****, no question about it, but he also has a huge ego and hates being wrong. But given that he got the date wrong it's pretty questionable.

 

[Uptown]

I’m only playing if Vrabe’s on the cover…