One year after winning their first playoff game in 15 years, the Bears are big business.The NFL made that clear Thursday night when they released a schedule that features the Bears hosting the Packers on Christmas Day, traveling to the Lions for Thanksgiving and tying a franchise record by playing five night games — including three in a row from Weeks 7-9. By contrast, last year’s team was assigned only three night games all season a year ago.Everyone wanted in on the Bears. Each of the NFL’s broadcast partners — Fox, CBS, NBC, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix — will air at least one of their games.With expectations comes a first-place schedule for the reigning NFC North champions — the Bears’ opponents in 2026 had a league-high .550 winning percentage last year. Just some happy little matchups 🎨 pic.twitter.com/mxaSU2VlOk— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 14, 2026 The Bears’ schedule features eight playoff teams:Week 1. Sept. 13 at Panthers, noon (Fox 32)By now we know that Bears general manager Ryan Poles won the Caleb Williams trade — the only question is by how much. The Bears open the season against one of the many men he was dealt for, quarterback Bryce Young.Week 2. Sept. 20 vs. Vikings, noon (Fox 32)Just a year and a week after J.J. McCarthy made his NFL debut at Soldier Field, the Vikings figure to start a different quarterback, Kyler Murray. The Bears won’t see the Vikings again until the finale.Week 3. Monday, Sept. 28 vs. Eagles, 7:15 p.m. (ABC…
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