The 2026 NFL schedule is out, and Chicago Bears fans know this is going to be the biggest challenge for the franchise in a long time.
Chicago will be on prime time five times and have seven standalone games as well. All eyes are on them to step up and play well under the toughest schedule in the NFL going into the 2026 season.
It'll be easy for the Bears to try to plan ahead for some of the biggest games of the year, but there are some "easy" games on the calendar that could derail their whole season. Here are four games the Bears shouldn't overlook, as they are the definition of trap games.
Week 1 at Carolina Panthers
It feels like this should be an easy Week 1 game for the Bears, but Carolina got better in the offseason. With key additions like edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, this is a Panthers team that is looking to build off the NFC South division title from last year. The Bears might be looking too far ahead for upcoming matchups against the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles, but they shouldn't overlook the Panthers.
Week 6 at Atlanta Falcons
This Falcons game is right after what should be an emotionally draining Green Bay Packers game and right before a three-game stretch in which they play the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, all in prime time. Atlanta is always a competitive team and should give Chicago fits.
Week 11 vs. New Orleans Saints
Last year, the Bears blew out the Saints at home as their defense created multiple turnovers. This is not the same New Orleans team from 2025, as they are now a year into head coach Kellen Moore's scheme, and the young talent there has stepped up, finishing a shocking 7-10 to close out the season. Chicago will be coming off a bye going into the game and could be thinking ahead to the Lions' Thanksgiving Day game, but Bears fans know better than to do that.
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Week 18 at Minnesota Vikings
To close out the season, some might see this as an advantage, as it won't be against the Lions or Packers, but the Vikings are a sneaky team, getting a lot of attention. Potentially a new quarterback, Kyler Murray, has sparked some life into the Vikings' roster, making this matchup bigger than expected. The Bears will be motivated to win this game, since playoff seeding will hopefully be a factor, but they need to make sure they get the job done against Minnesota before thinking about the postseason.
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