Chicago Bears fans can now mark their calendars. The team opens at the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 13 and closes out the regular season on the road against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18.

Complete 2026 Regular-Season Schedule

Week 1: Sept. 13 at Carolina Panthers

Week 2: Sept. 20 vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 3: Sept. 28 (Monday) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 4: Oct. 4 vs. New York Jets

Week 5: Oct. 11 at Green Bay Packers

Week 6: Oct. 18 at Atlanta Falcons

Week 7: Oct. 22 (Thursday) vs. New England Patriots

Week 8: Nov. 2 (Monday) at Seattle Seahawks

Week 9: Nov. 9 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Nov. 22 vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 12: Nov. 26 at Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving)

Week 13: Dec. 6 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 14: Dec. 13 at Miami Dolphins

Week 15: Dec. 19 (Saturday) at Buffalo Bills

Week 16: Dec. 25 vs. Green Bay Packers (Christmas)

Week 17: Jan. 3 vs. Detroit Lions

Week 18: TBD at Minnesota Vikings

Projected to Win 11 Games Despite Toughest Schedule

Fox Sports analyst Henry McKenna predicts the Bears will finish 11-6, a mark that even surprised him. The team faces the NFL's toughest schedule based on opponents' combined winning percentage in 2025.

"The Chicago Bears have something special in Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams. And 11 wins is actually quite generous, given their schedule, the toughest in the NFL. I believe in what Johnson is building. I believe in the ways the coach is developing Williams. And I see a clear path from general manager Ryan Poles in building up the offense last year before addressing the defense in a big way this year. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has way more tools to improve that unit. This Bears team will be more consistent — and, in turn, better."

At FanDuel Sportsbook, the Bears carry a 9.5-win projected total, with Super Bowl odds at +2500 and playoff odds at +108.

Defensive Overhaul in Free Agency and Draft

The Bears signed former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant to a three-year, $40 million deal to address losses of safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. They also lost cornerback Nahshon Wright in free agency and traded away wide receiver D.J. Moore.

In the draft, Chicago selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round and added Iowa center Logan Jones, Stanford tight end Sam Roush, and LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas on Day 2.

Draft Earns B+ Grade

Ralph Vacchiano ranked the Bears at No. 9 in his post-draft power rankings, noting they "did what they had to do in the draft, finding a starting safety and offensive line help."

Draft analyst Rob Rang gave Chicago a B+ grade, highlighting Thieneman as a steal.

"The NFL Draft is all about value, and few teams added more of that in the first round than Chicago, stealing a future Pro Bowl-caliber safety in Dillon Thieneman at No. 25 overall. Center Logan Jones wasn't perhaps quite as economical a selection at No. 57 overall, but I think he'll start as a rookie with the mentality and rugged playing style to project as a long-term anchor inside."