Key Storylines for All 17 of Seahawks’ Games on 2026 Schedule

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images [/caption]

After months of knowing opponents but not having any official game dates, the Seattle Seahawks unleashed their official 2026 schedule on Thursday, kicking things off with a much-anticipated Super Bowl rematch against the New England Patriots.

Overall, including the opener at Lumen Field, Seattle will play in six primetime games with five of them on its home turf. The franchise will also benefit from an atypical lack of travel, ranking just 10th in air miles with only three trips to the Eastern time zone and two 10 AM starts on the schedule. On the flip side, while they play nine home games compared to eight away, they will finish with three contests away from Lumen in the final four weeks, which features two games against the Los Angeles Rams.

Digging deeper into the ‘Hawks revealed schedule, there’s no shortage of questions or intrigue for each of their 17 games on the docket. Which storylines stand out as the biggest for each game?

Week 1 - vs. New England Patriots

Key Storyline: Can the Seahawks prevent the Patriots from enacting revenge and ruining their banner night?

Yes, New England has dealt with an unwanted major distraction or two this offseason that may still be cycling through the news come September, but assuming Mike Vrabel isn’t going anywhere as head coach and A.J. Brown isn’t coming to town after all, those stories ultimately still take a back to seat to a rare rematch between prior Super Bowl contestants in a season opener. This will be the first time that the two teams who finished the previous season in the big game open a new one against each other since the Panthers and Broncos did so in 2016, so it’s a fairly rare occurrence. Seattle will get to raise its second title banner with the team it beat in attendance, creating more potential ammunition for Drake Maye and company to seek a bit of vengeance for falling short of the Lombardi Trophy seven months earlier. At the same time, the amount of electricity in the building at Lumen Field could make the Seahawks an unstoppable force.

Week 2 - at Arizona Cardinals

Key Storyline: How will limited film impact Seattle’s defensive preparation for Mike LaFleur’s offense?

On paper, even after drafting dynamic running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 overall last month, the Cardinals might have the worst roster in the NFL after releasing quarterback Kyler Murray and failing to bring in a viable successor. There’s holes galore on both sides of the ball, making this a tough assignment for LaFleur as a first-time head coach. But drawing Arizona this early in the season could serve as a trap game of sorts for Seattle, as Macdonald won’t have much to work off film-wise of scheming for LaFleur’s scheme, relying more on what he’s seen from Sean McVay over the years with the coach previously serving on the Rams’ staff. The Cardinals also have a couple of outstanding receiving weapons in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride that have given the Seahawks problems in the past, and in a road environment, coupling that with scouting limitations could make this a more challenging game than anticipated.

Week 3 - at Washington Commanders

Key Storyline: Will the Commanders more closely resemble their 2024 or 2025 squad?

Just two years ago, led by Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, Washington surpassed all expectations by blasting through the playoffs with two road wins to meet Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game. Everyone expected to see the Commanders stay in the hunt with their young quarterback at the controls last season, but injuries and an older roster ultimately caved in the season early, leading to a top-10 pick instead of a return to the playoffs. Having Daniels back healthy automatically makes Washington a more dangerous team. However, away from an aging Terry McLaurin, the signal caller doesn’t have many weapons at his disposal, especially after trading for Deebo Samuel didn’t work out a year ago. Somehow, the Commanders still have one of the older rosters in the league as well, making them one of the toughest to predict in terms of how they’ll perform this year.

Week 4 - vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Key Storyline: Can Macdonald maintain his mastery of the Shanahan coaching tree against Mike McDaniel?

The Chargers made the postseason last year as a wild card despite having one of the league’s worst offensive lines, but that Achilles heel doomed Justin Herbert in an ugly playoff loss to the Patriots. This offseason, coach Jim Harbaugh and the front office executed major changes bolstering that line by signing center Tyler Biadasz and cutting guard Mekhi Becton, which coupled with the return of tackle Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt from injuries should immediately improve protection for Herbert as well as the run game. Furthermore, McDaniel landed as the new play caller replacing Greg Roman, bringing a reputation with him as one of the best offensive minds in the game. This will be a great litmus test in the first month of the season to see how Herbert and the rest of Los Angeles’ retooled offense take to McDaniel’s offense against the reigning champs on the road and a fun test for Macdonald.

Week 5 - vs. San Francisco 49ers

Key Storyline: How much tougher are the Niners with Nick Bosa, Fred Warner back healthy?

San Francisco pulled off one of the most impressive seasons in the league last year, managing to go 12-5 despite losing Bosa to a torn ACL early in the season and playing most of the year without Warner as well. Both of those players, as well as tight end George Kittle, should be back healthy early in the 2026 season, giving Kyle Shanahan his full complement of superstars back in action. Bosa’s presence alone will put a lot more pressure on Seattle’s offensive line, which had issues keeping him away from Sam Darnold in a season-opening loss at Lumen Field last September. Tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas have struggled against him in the past and they will have to prove they can hold up in protection against one of the NFL’s premier quarterback hunters, while Warner’s presence will make running the ball against the 49ers that much tougher.

Week 6 - at Denver Broncos

Key Storyline: Is this a mid-October Super Bowl preview in the Mile High City?

Taking a massive leap in Bo Nix’s second season running Sean Payton’s offense, buoyed by a stingy, aggressive defense, the Broncos climbed all the way to the top of the AFC standings and ended Kansas City’s reign of terror in the AFC West. Denver managed to punch a ticket to the AFC Championship Game, only for Nix to suffer a broken ankle late in the previous game, ending a Cinderella season with a home loss to the Patriots to come up one game short of the Super Bowl. With Nix expected to be fully recovered in time for the start of the season and speedy receiver Jaylen Waddle acquired via trade from Miami, Payton’s squad will be on a mission, looking to get over the hump and return to the big game for the first time since 2015. A talented defensive with talent at all three levels will be a major headache for first-year coordinator Brian Fleury to deal with, particularly up front where do-it-all lineman Zach Allen and company can be game wreckers.

Week 7 - vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Key Storyline: Are the Chiefs back in contender status with a healthy Patrick Mahomes, Ken Walker III?

After making the Super Bowl in each of the previous three seasons and four of the previous five, Kansas City finally endured a down season, barely latching onto slim playoff hopes when Mahomes blew out his knee in December. As a result, the Chiefs missed the postseason for the first time since 2014, ushering in a long offseason. The former MVP will be back in action early in the 2026 season, likely ready for the season opener, which immediately will make the Chiefs formidable again. But as for their hopes of climbing back into title contention, trading cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams along with an aging core including tight end Travis Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones begs the question of whether or not they can return to that level. If there’s a move that could help push them back towards the top, signing Walker away from the Seahawks after winning Super Bowl MVP may do the trick.

Week 8 - vs. Chicago Bears

Key Storyline: Who has the coaching edge between Ben Johnson and Mike Macdonald in the battle of gurus?

It’s been two years since Macdonald last matched wits against Johnson, who was still Detroit’s offensive coordinator at the time. The Lions got the better of that contest in the Motor City, aided by numerous injuries for the Seahawks along their defensive line. Previously, however, Macdonald’s Ravens shut down the Lions in 2023, dominating Jared Goff and company in a 38-6 beatdown. Given that history, it will be fascinating to see who gets the upper hand in the third matchup between the two coaches, the first in which they both were in the head coach seats for their respective teams. Johnson has plenty of firepower to work with around quarterback Caleb Williams, including a rising star tight end in Colston Loveland and the receiving duo of Rome Odunze and Luther Burden. Macdonald will hope to schematically neutralize the Bears’ attack with home field advantage and crowd noise playing to the Seahawks’ advantage in primetime.

Week 9 - vs. Arizona Cardinals

Key Storyline: Who is taking snaps under center for the Cardinals midway through the 2026 season?

In the first NFC West rematch on the docket for the Seahawks, who plays quarterback for the Cardinals at this juncture of the season could be telling in terms of where the rivals from the desert are in the standings. If things get ugly early as many anticipate with a difficult opening schedule, LaFleur may decide to see what rookie Carson Beck - a third round pick out of Miami - can do rather than continue trotting journeyman veteran Jacoby Brissett out. An all-out youth movement could be underway if that ends up being the case, which would bode well for Seattle holding serve at home against an undermanned opponent. Of course, Arizona could win a few more games in the first half than anticipated and still have something to play for too, which likely means Brissett is still the guy.

Week 10 - at Las Vegas Raiders

Key Storyline: Does the pupil or teacher have the advantage in Macdonald vs. Kubiak Part 1?

Still early in his head coaching career, Macdonald has yet to face a former assistant from his tree in a head-to-head duel, but that will change when the Seahawks fly down to Las Vegas for their final game before the bye. Kubiak accepted the Raiders head coaching vacancy immediately after helping the ‘Hawks win the Super Bowl as offensive coordinator, taking on a difficult rebuild for a once-proud franchise that limped to a three-win season a year ago under long-time Seattle coach Pete Carroll. It remains to be seen whether veteran Kirk Cousins or rookie Fernando Mendoza will be under center at this stage of the season, but either way, Kubiak will have one of his toughest draws as a rookie coach going up against Macdonald with the two having great familiarity of one another’s schemes and tendencies. Even if there’s a significant talent gap between the two teams, that should make this a spicy midseason matchup.

Week 11 - Bye Week

Week 12 - at San Francisco 49ers

Key Storyline: How healthy are the Niners for the rematch and does Levis Stadium still feel like home for the ‘Hawks?

Last year, injuries became a major issue for San Francisco, and with Christian McCaffery, Trent Williams, newcomer Mike Evans, Kittle, Bosa, and Warner all having lengthy track records on the injury front, the organization will be keeping fingers crossed that nucleus can manage to get through a season without any injured reserve stints. If the team avoids the injury plague this time around and keeps their stars on the field, the talent still remains in place to make a push for an NFC West title, and this game could carry substantial weight in regard to who wins the division crown. But even if they are healthier this time around for a second half rematch, they will have to hope their fans can step up and make the environment more unwelcoming, as the Seahawks have felt pretty darn comfortable at Levis as of late.

Week 13 - vs. Dallas Cowboys

Key Storyline: Will the Cowboys have enough defense to complement Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive cooking?

In his first season as an NFL head coach, Schottenheimer called plays for a top-10 Cowboys offense that averaged nearly 28 points per game behind a rejuvenated Dak Prescott and a talented receiving corps. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of trading Micah Parsons to Green Bay before the start of the season, Dallas couldn’t stop anyone with the league’s worst defense, surrendering more than 30 points per game. With most of their offensive firepower returning, however, the Cowboys invested multiple first round picks in their porous defense, landing safety Caleb Downs and pass rusher Malachi Lawrence, which should give the team a much-needed jolt. Time will tell if that translates to more wins, but the defense has to only be marginally better for Dallas to be a real threat, and if that happens, this could be a barnburner on Monday Night Football with Macdonald’s defense facing a major challenge.

Week 14 - vs. New York Giants

Key Storyline: Where are the Giants on their trajectory towards returning to contention under John Harbaugh?

Every year, it seems like a once-struggling franchise turns the corner and becomes a surprise playoff contender, with an upgrade at quarterback and/or head coach usually fueling the turnaround. Last year, the Patriots made such a jump with Vrabel on the sidelines and Drake Maye making a massive leap in his sophomore season, and Jaxson Dart could be the top candidate to equal that ascendance with a proven winner in Harbaugh now at the wheel. The Giants have a number of enticing young talents on both sides of the football, including now having two top-10 picks from the previous two drafts in Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese ready to create problems chasing down quarterbacks. If Malik Nabors returns from a torn ACL to give Dart a true No. 1 weapon and Cam Skattebo bounces back from his own injury in the backfield, the Giants could be frisky fighting for a wild card late in the season, turning this into a potentially dangerous December showdown for the Seahawks at home.

Week 15 - at Philadelphia Eagles

Key Storyline: How much will a change of play caller influence Jalen Hurts’ overall play?

Unhappy with the regression from Hurts, whose completion rate dropped almost 5% last year, along with the run game taking a step back, the Eagles made wholesale changes with their offensive coaching staff after winning the Super Bowl one year prior. Instead of bringing an established coordinator in, however, they rolled the dice on long-time NFL backup quarterback Sean Mannion, who has never called plays previously at any level. That’s a risky dice roll for a team in the heat of a championship window, but at the same time, Mannion’s background as a former NFL signal caller could be exactly what Hurts and the entire offense needs to reinfuse some scoring juice that disappeared last year. Even if they eventually trade A.J. Brown, there’s enough weapons for Philly to return to upper echelon of title contenders, and if Hurts is playing with more confidence in a new offense, Seattle will have its hands full in a brutal road environment.

Week 16 - vs. Los Angeles Rams

Key Storyline: Has Macdonald figured out a way to better neutralize Matthew Stafford, Rams’ aerial attack?

Few offenses found much traction throwing the football against the Seahawks’ No. 1 ranked scoring defense a year ago, but Stafford, Puka Nacua, and company proved to be their Kryptonite. In the two games at Lumen Field in Week 16 and in the NFC Championship Game, Stafford torched a normally stifling secondary to a tune of 831 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. Away from uncharacteristically giving up explosive pass plays in bunches, the pass rush wasn’t able to get to the quarterback very often, recording just one sack in eight quarters and an overtime period. If there was an area Macdonald wanted to clean up this offseason, figuring out some personnel and schematic changes to have better luck against Stafford and his passing arsenal stood at the top of the list, and he’ll have to wait until the tail end of the season to see if those changes pay off.

Week 17 - at Carolina Panthers

Key Storyline: What does the next step look like for Carolina after a surprising playoff appearance?

By virtue of playing in the NFL’s weakest division, the Panthers managed to earn a home playoff game with an 8-9 record, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. In year two under former Seahawks assistant Dave Canales, Bryce Young took a substantial step forward and Carolina’s defense steadily improved over the course of the season, making it a highly successful campaign even with a losing record. Now, Canales’ crew will have to show they can take another jump in 2026, banking on further progress from Young and a defense featuring several noteworthy former high draft picks. The division remains wide open for the Panthers to run it back and get back to the playoffs, but they will have to do so with a harder schedule, including a home rematch in the same week as last year against the Seahawks that has a chance to be massive for both teams.

Week 18 - at Los Angeles Rams

Key Storyline: Will this be deja vu all over again with the NFC West title - and top seed - on the line in the finale?

With two games in three weeks, the storyline won’t necessarily be all that different in terms of what the Seahawks hope to accomplish to be able to beat the Rams. But if last year serves as an indicator, the NFL’s toughest division likely will go down to the wire, and just as it did in the finale a year ago in Santa Clara, this game could hold all the marbles in terms of who wins the NFC West and/or grabs the lone first round bye in the playoffs. Adding to the intrigue, just like Levis Stadium last year, SoFi Stadium will be the location of the Super Bowl as well as this season finale, giving Seattle a chance to replicate the potential championship script in an opposing rival venue.