The 2026 NFL regular season will kick off on Wednesday, Sept. 9.<\/p>\n
It had long been announced that the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> would start their Super Bowl defense in the first game of the season; the only question was whom they would play.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Seahawks will start the 2026 season with a Super Bowl rematch<\/a> against the New England Patriots<\/a>, according to Jordan Schultz<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is the first time since 2016 that the regular season will begin with a rematch of the previous season\u2019s Super Bowl. That year, the Denver Broncos<\/a> started their title defense with a 21-20 win over the Carolina Panthers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Seattle\u2019s offense will look a little different from what it did in February. Kenneth Walker III<\/a> is now with the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>, and running back Zach Charbonnet<\/a> will miss the start of the year due to a torn ACL<\/a>.<\/p>\n Play 2026 Soccer Pick ‘Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world’s biggest soccer tournament<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Seahawks re-vamped in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price at the end of the first round. The biggest addition through free agency was defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.<\/a><\/p>\n The Patriots’ offseason has been overshadowed by off-the-field drama with head coach<\/a> Mike Vrabel. When it comes to football, though, all eyes are on whether New England<\/a> will trade for wide receiver A.J. Brown<\/a>.<\/p>\n The WR room has already been overhauled a bit, as Stefon Diggs<\/a> was released and replaced by Romeo Doubs<\/a> on a four-year, $68 million contract.<\/a> The Patriots also notably signed safeties Mike Brown<\/a> and Kevin Byard III<\/a>, linebacker Dre\u2019Mont Jones<\/a> and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n