The release of the full 2026 NFL schedule will take place on Thursday night, but individual matchups have been leaking through the NFL media all week. The latest leak revealed that the Chicago Bears will open their season on the road against the Carolina Panthers , according to a report from Jordan Schultz. When you consider all the possible opponents for the Bears in Week 1, it seems like the NFL made a huge mistake to pass on a Bears-Seahawks season opener, and the fans may regret it. Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images The Bears were an ideal candidate to face the Seattle Seahawks in the season opener Many fans and analysts expected the Bears to face the defending Super Bowl champions in Week 1, and for good reason. A Bears-Seahawks season opener would have been perfect .…