Sounds like we might get the 2026 NFL schedule released at its normal, mid-May date, sometime next week, instead of having to wait another seven days leading into Memorial Day weekend.
Which got me thinking (you’re going to read that sentence from me a lot here)… who is your ideal opponent for the Bills in Week 1? Do you want an “easy” opponent? Would you like a primetime challenge for Josh Allen and Co. Everyone wants the start of the regular season at the new Highmark Stadium, right?
And what exactly
are you factoring in your decision?
Do you want the strongest likelihood of a 1-0 start for the Bills? Or are you more of the belief that a litmus test early is a good thing — and gets a “difficult” opponent out of the way? Is it better to “catch” a high-caliber team before it figures things out?
I have a clear favorite — the Chicago Bears at 4:25pm. Now, I don’t necessarily care when the game is, which is it’s own layer, which I can explain. I’m fortunate enough to go to Bills home games, and I vividly recall the team not hosting a primetime game for 15 years, which frankly, was humiliating for Buffalo. I completely understand the automatic urge for fans that sparks the simple equation of “big game = primetime.”
Yet, I’m a morning person and a huge sleep advocate… therefore, I’m rarely mad when the Bills aren’t playing Sunday, Monday, or Thursday night. I now adore the Sunday at 1pm games that once felt like the perpetual norm I despised.
But I digress (on the time front).
I want a major barometer game, in the new stadium, in Joe Brady’s first contest as Buffalo’s head coach, as the typically scorchingly hot early September sun begins to set — which always makes for a tremendous aesthetic, check the Rose Bowl.
And of course, this game would emphatically check many storyline boxes. Two divisional-round playoff teams from a season ago. Two quarterbacks who’ll draw a monster audience.
The Bears are going to be good. I do think it could take time in individual games and throughout the season for Caleb Williams’ skills to sharpen, even in Year 2 operating Ben Johnson’s offense. I think, in time too, Chicago’s defense can be really stingy, but it’s a unit that’ll feature many new and young pieces, including one of my enormous draft crushes, safety Dillon Thieneman, the Bears’ first-round pick.
I envision this as a high-flying game with an abundance of deep-shots, splash plays, improvisational brilliance from both quarterbacks — just a whole lotta fun.
I want a blast of an opening game inside the new Highmark Stadium, the start of Year 9 of the Josh Allen era, and Brady’s head-coaching debut in Orchard Park.
