Running back contract values have been rising, with five big deals signed this offseason surpassing a 4% cap threshold. This indicates a strong likelihood of RB1-level volume for players like Christian McCaffrey, De’Von Achane, Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, Jeremiyah Love, and Travis Etienne Jr. The article discusses how these contracts provide clarity on a team's commitment to a running back, making them steadier fantasy picks. Even with potential competition, like Bhayshul Tuten for Etienne in New Orleans, or existing veteran RBs like Alvin Kamara, the substantial contracts signal a significant role
NFL analyst Steve Muench predicts Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane will win Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2026, citing his potential impact in the Chiefs' system and the likelihood that opposing offenses will target him, only to be burned. The article also touches on the Chiefs' projected record, Patrick Mahomes' return, and their draft strategy
The Kansas City Chiefs, coming off a rare non-playoff season after three straight Super Bowl appearances, face a challenging 2026 schedule. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledges offensive inconsistency and takes responsibility, while GM Brett Veach has made significant offseason additions to support Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Creed Humphrey, Chris Jones, and Nick Bolton. Despite a 6-11 record, the Chiefs have the fifth-toughest schedule in the NFL, featuring tough opponents like the Broncos, Chargers, Patriots, 49ers, and Raiders
The 2026 NFL schedule has been released, and Yahoo Fantasy Football writers have highlighted their most anticipated matchups. Key games include Chiefs at Seahawks, featuring Kenneth Walker III facing his former team, and the Cowboys at Giants, offering an early look at the Dallas offense, including George Pickens
At long last, we finally know the full NFL schedule . The date, time and location of all 272 regular-season games was revealed on Thursday night, and our team here at CBS Sports has had the schedule covered from every conceivable angle. We've got the full schedule of games on CBS and Paramount+ . We've got the Sunday , Monday and Thursday night schedules. We've got the Thanksgiving and Christmas schedules. We've got the international slate. We've got team-by-team and week-by-week schedules. We've got winners and losers . We've got every game in Week 1, ranked . We've got the NFL's EVP of media distribution breaking things down with CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones. And in the space below, we're going to detail some of the best revenge games of the season. The NFL season will start off with a bang as fans are treated to a Super Bowl rematch right out of the gate. The Seahawks totally dominated the Patriots throughout Super Bowl LX, and New England will get its chance to avenge that game by going into Lumen Field and trying to come away with a win in one of the toughest environments in the NFL. Robert Saleh is the head coach of the Titans . He used to be the head coach of the Jets . Things did not end well for Saleh in New York. The Titans play the Jets in Week 1. Brian Daboll is the offensive coordinator of the Titans. He used to be the head coach of the Giants . Things did not end well for Daboll in New York. The Titans play the Giants in Week 3. Giddy up. The Packers suffered a devastating loss to their division rivals in the playoffs last season, blowing a 27-16 lead by giving up two touchdown passes to Caleb Williams in the final 4 minutes and 18 seconds of regulation. Chicago scored 25 fourth-quarter points in all, having trailed 21-6 coming into the period. The two teams had split the regular-season series in dramatic fashion as well, and now the Packers will get an early chance to make up for having lost the rubber match. Kenneth Walker won Super Bowl MVP as he rushed for 135 yards against the Patriots in Seattle's victory over New England, and he immediately hit the free-agent market a month later. The Seahawks elected to let him leave in free agency for a three-year, $43.5 million contract. Walker's new team will head up to Seattle to face his old team in Week 7. Geno Smith's one season with the Raiders ... did not go well. Smith went 2-13 in 15 starts, leading the league with 17 interceptions along the way. The Raiders unceremoniously dumped him just one season into the three-year contract they gave him last offseason. Smith is now back where his career started, and he'll get his chance to exact his revenge on the team that cut its ties. Daniel Jones spent the first five-plus seasons of his career with the Giants. He essentially had one successful season with New York, struggling through most of the rest of his tenure. He was ignominiously benched midway through the 2024 campaign and subsequently released. He landed with the Vikings for the rest of that season before signing with the Colts last year, where he seemingly resurrected his career. Now, he has a chance to make the Giants regret their decision. Or at least, to stick it to them, because the Giants are presumably pretty happy with Jaxson Dart . Kevin Stefanski coached the Browns from 2020 through 2025. During that time, he amazingly led the Browns to the playoffs twice -- and he even won a game there in 2020. But the Browns went just 8-26 in 2024 and 2025, and they fired Stefanski at the end of the 2025 season. It didn't take long for him to find another job, as he was hired by Atlanta just 12 days after being fired. Late in the season, he gets to make his return to Cleveland. Last season, the Ravens and Steelers played for the AFC North in the final week of the regular season. The Steelers led 26-24 going into the final drive of the game, on which Lamar Jackson led Baltimore down to the 26-yard line, setting up a 44-yard field goal attempt by T
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New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. The road to the repeat begins…now. Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks just announced their official 2026 schedule, effectively mapping out a path for a second consecutive trip to the Big Game. This time around, they’ll go head-to-head with perennial contenders, divisional rivals and a few wild cards that could surprise the defending champions. Just a few of the most notable home game showdowns at Lumen Field include a Big Game rematch with the New England Patriots to open the season on Wednesday, Sept. 9, an a NFC Divisional-Round rematch opposite the San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 11) and an NFC Championship game rematch against the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas. Other high-profile home games on the itinerary include meetings with Justin Herbert ’s Los Angeles Chargers (Oct. 4), Patrick Mahomes ’ Kansas City Chiefs (Oct. 25), Caleb Williams ’ Chicago Bears (Nov. 2) and Dak Prescott’s Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 7). According to Yahoo! Sports , they have the 14th-toughest schedule out of all 32 NFL teams based on opponents’ 2025 winning percentage. “It’s a good bet at least one or two of the teams they face will be more impressive than expected, but also that some will be worse than expected,” SB Nation noted in a preview of the ’26 season. “If Seattle can continue with its defensive dominance next season, they should be in contention for another playoff trip.” In order to make that happen, general manager John Schneider had an unusually busy offseason for a Super Bowl champion-winning club. On top of extending two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba through the 2031 season and re-signing Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe , the ‘Hawks also signed former Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (to replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III , who bolted to the Chiefs) and safety Rodney Thomas II. “[He’s] this 230-pound guy with great feet,” Schneider said about Wilson. “… and he gives us a little bit of something different. He’s a heavy runner.” If you want to be part of “The 12” and see the Seahawks defend their title live, tickets are available for all eight 2026 home games at Seattle’s Lumen Field as of today on SeatGeek. Not familiar with SeatGeek? SeatGeek is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand. They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event. For those who prefer to pick and choose which home games make the most sense for you to attend, we’re here for you, too. Below, you’ll find a list of all upcoming Seattle Seahawks home games at Lumen Field, including dates, start times and opponents. Seattle Seahawks home game dates Patriots vs. Seahawks Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 5:20 p.m. PT Chargers vs. Seahawks Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1:25 p.m. 49ers vs. Seahawks Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1:25 p.m. Chiefs vs. Seahawks Sunday, Oct. 25 at 5:20 p.m. Bears vs. Seahawks Monday, Nov. 2 at 5:15 p.m. Cardinals vs. Seahawks Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1:25 p.m. Cowboys vs. Seahawks Monday, Dec. 7 at 5:15 p.m. Giants vs. Seahawks Sunday, Dec. 13 at 1:25 p.m. Rams vs. Seahawks Friday, Dec. 25 at 5:15 p.m. If you think you might find yourself traveling with the Seahawks this year, here’s where you can find them on the road once the 2026 season begins. Seattle Seahawks away game dates Seahawks vs. Cardinals Sunday, Sept. 20 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ Seahawks vs. Commanders Sunday, Sept. 27 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD Seahawks vs. Broncos Thursday, Oct. 15 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO Seahawks vs. Raiders Sunday, Nov. 15 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV Seahawks vs. 49ers Sunday, Nov. 29 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA Seahawks vs. Eagles Saturday, Dec. 19 at Lincoln Fi
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From a record seven international games last year, the NFL will play abroad nine times during the 2026 season. The league will head to Australia and France for the first time, meaning there will be regular-season games played across four continents and seven countries. The NFL schedule for 2026 was released this week and begins on Wednesday, 9 September, with a rematch of last season's Super Bowl. The next day 100,000 fans will fill the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch a huge divisional match-up involving the Los Angeles Rams - one of a league-high seven prime-time games for a team rated as favourite to win Super Bowl 61. Thanksgiving week now features a bumper five games while there is again a triple-header on Christmas Day. Since 2004, the opening game of the NFL season has featured the defending champions. The Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara in February so will host this season's kick-off game. And they have an immediate reunion with the Patriots in the first Super Bowl rematch to start the season since 2016. The season opener normally takes place on a Thursday but this year's game has been brought forward to a Wednesday - 9 September - for the first time since 2012. That is because the season's first international game cannot be played on a Friday, as it has been the past two seasons. The NFL's 2026 schedule is starting a week later than normal, bringing it into conflict with US bylaws which prohibit professional football games being broadcast on a Friday or Saturday from the second week of September. So the Rams will 'host' the San Francisco 49ers in Australia on Thursday, 10 September, which will be streamed on Netflix. The following Thursday will mark the first game at the Buffalo Bills ' new home, with the Detroit Lions heading to Highmark Stadium, while on 25 October the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player Kenneth Walker makes a swift return to Seattle after joining the Kansas City Chiefs. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/nfl/scores-fixtures/2026-09 See full NFL schedule Football is a big part of the holidays in the US and the schedule has been boosted with the NFL's first game on Thanksgiving Eve, with the Rams hosting the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday, 25 November - another Netflix game. That's followed by a Thanksgiving triple-header, which begins with two divisional match-ups as the Detroit Lions host the Chicago Bears (18:00 GMT) and the Dallas Cowboys welcome the Philadelphia Eagles (21:25 GMT). Then provided Patrick Mahomes makes a smooth return from injury, the star quarterback will renew his rivalry with Josh Allen as the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Buffalo Bills (01:20 GMT). For the fourth straight year the Thanksgiving slate concludes with a Black Friday clash on 27 November as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Denver Broncos . That is one of 17 games to be streamed on Amazon Prime, which include the Houston Texans at the Eagles on Christmas Eve, plus the Baltimore Ravens at the Cincinnati Bengals on New Year's Eve. Netflix will again feature two games on Christmas Day, with the Bears hosting the Packers (18:00 GMT) before the Denver Broncos welcome the Bills (21:30 GMT). The festive triple-header then concludes with a repeat of last season's epic NFC Championship game, as the Seahawks host the Rams (01:15 GMT). Why are there NFL matches on Thanksgiving? There will be a record nine international games played in 2026, with Australia and France hosting games for the first time. The NFL returns to Mexico after a four-year gap while trips to Brazil, Germany and Spain remain on the schedule, as well as the traditional three UK games: 10 Sep - San Francisco 49ers v Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne, Australia) 27 Sep - Baltimore Ravens v Dallas Cowboys (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) 4 Oct - Indianapolis Colts v Washington Commanders (Tottenham, London) 11 Oct - Philadelphia Eagles v Jacksonville Jaguars (Tottenham, London) 18 O
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Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith is currently listed as No. 2 on the RB depth chart for the Chiefs behind new starter Kenneth Walker III, but the 23-year-old has fallen all the way to No. 74 in RotoBaller's dynasty RB rankings despite Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco both departing in free agency in the offseason. In addition to Walker, the Chiefs signed Emarci Demercado in free agency and selected Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of this year's draft. Smith, who was a receiver in college at SMU, is elusive and can obviously catch the ball out of the backfied, but at just 5-foot-10 and 196 pounds, he lacks the size to challenge for a true workhorse RB1 role in the NFL, and he could be destined to see most of his snaps on special teams in KC if Johnson emerges as the team's best change-of-pace back behind Walker. In his rookie campaign in 2025 after the Chiefs took him in the seventh round, Smith saw 44 carries for 151 yards (3.4 yards per carry) and no touchdowns, although he added 25 catches for 172 yards and one touchdown through the air in 17 games (one start). Smith has PPR upside, but his dynasty stock has taken a hit due to the additions of Walker, Demercado, and Johnson
The 2026 NFL schedule will open with one of the most anticipated matchups of the regular season. The Seattle Seahawks will host the New England Patriots on Sept. 9 in a rematch of Super Bowl 60, the league announced on Thursday, May 14. It marks the first time since 2016, when the Denver Broncos hosted the Carolina Panthers , that the league is opening a new season by pitting the two reigning conference champions against one another. The Seahawks will begin their title defense against the group they demolished in a 29-13 rout in Santa Clara, Calif., in February. Though offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak departed to become the Las Vegas Raiders' head coach and Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III left to sign the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency , the core of the group remains in place as the franchise launches its title defense. Yet the more intense spotlight might be reserved for the other sideline. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel stepped away from Day 3 of the NFL draft to attend counseling after the New York Post published photos of him and Dianna Russini, the former NFL insider for The Athletic. Vrabel, who is married and has two adult sons, said in April he had held "difficult conversations" with his family and members of the Patriots organization. He later added that his unspecified actions "don't meet the standard that I hold myself to." New England will be trying to chart a fresh course after its Super Bowl unraveling. Drake Maye , the Patriots' second-year quarterback and last season's MVP runner-up finisher, was sacked six times and threw two interceptions. Rookie left tackle Will Campbell came under fire after Next Gen Stats credited him with 14 pressures allowed. Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon , who sacked Maye once and also hit him on the pick-six that all but sealed the outcome, later said Seattle "had a tell" on the Patriots' protection plan. In the rematch, things could shape up considerably different for Maye and last year's No. 2 scoring offense. While Vrabel and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf stood by Campbell amid questions of a move inside, fellow second-year blocker Jared Wilson is set to move to center. New England also released Stefon Diggs and signed Romeo Doubs to reconfigure Maye's receiving corps. The most drastic step, however, might be taken in the coming weeks, as the Patriots remain a potential landing spot for Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown in a possible post-June 1 trade. The two teams will occupy a rare Wednesday window due to the complications created by this year's calendar. Moving up the kickoff game a day early was necessary to facilitate the Week 1 standalone slot for the league's first Australia game, which will be held between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10. Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Washington Commanders This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL schedule: Seahawks, Patriots to open in Super Bowl rematch
The Seattle Seahawks’ 2026 slate is slowly coming together as we inch closer to the full schedule reveal. On Thursday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Seahawks will be hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 . The news comes two days after Kansas City’s Week 1 opponent was revealed , and one day following official word on Seattle’s opponent for this season’s kickoff game . Entering the 2025 season, the Chiefs had played in five of the previous six Super Bowls, winning three of them. However, Kansas City struggled throughout the year, sitting at 5-4 during its bye week and losing seven of its last eight games, including six consecutive losses to close out the season. This was the Chiefs’ first missed postseason since 2014 and their first losing record since 2012, the team’s worst showing of Andy Reid’s 13-year tenure as head coach. In the midst of Kansas City’s losing skid, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL against the Chargers in Week 14, ending his season with four games to play. Mahomes aims to bounce back and be ready to go for his age-31 season, during which reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III will return to Seattle following his exit in free agency this spring . The Seahawks last faced the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in 2022, and Kansas City last came to the Pacific Northwest in 2018, the latter of which was a 38-31 victory for Seattle on a Sunday night. Assuming Mahomes will be healthy by the time his team comes to Lumen Field in October, this should be one of the most enticing games on the schedule
The Buffalo Bills will distinctly be part of your Thanksgiving and potentially Christmas holidays this year — for those who celebrate — as the NFL has placed Josh Allen and Co. in each of marquee spotlight during the 2026 season. The Bills will host Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs inside new Highmark Stadium on Thanksgiving night, as part of the league’s triple-header on Turkey Day, per Jordan Schultz . This will mark the first time the seismic regular-season clash between these two AFC powerhouses will be in primetime since their premiere against each other in the Mahomes-Allen era back in 2020. About a month later, long after you’ve opened presents on Christmas morning, the Bills are rumored to be playing in Denver against the Broncos for a rematch of the wild divisional-round loss to Sean Payton’s club in January. Mike Monaghan on Twitter , who was the first on the Bills-Chiefs tilt, followed with a report on this Bills- Broncos Christmas matchup. The Bills haven’t played on Thanksgiving or Christmas since their 28-25 over the Lions on Thanksgiving back in 2022. Denver wasn’t active in free agency, yet did swing a trade for former Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle . It led to them not making a selection in the 2026 draft until the third round, and they picked defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim there. The Broncos did pick running back Jonah Coleman in the fourth round and the athletic, stocky tight end Justin Joly in the fifth, the latter of whom the Bills hosted on a Top 30 visit. As for the Chiefs, All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie was traded to the Rams in March, and the club traded up within the Top 10 of the draft to select cornerback Mansoor Delane. Defensive lineman Peter Woods was Kansas City ’s choice later in Round 1, and edge rusher R Mason Thomas was snagged by the Chiefs in the second round. GM Brett Veach’s biggest signing in free agency was the acquisition of reigning Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker
The 2026 NFL season will begin with a Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. This marks the first time since 2016 that the season opener features a rematch of the previous year's Super Bowl. The Seahawks' offense will see changes with Kenneth Walker III gone and Zach Charbonnet injured, while the Patriots have made several free agency and draft additions, including protecting quarterback Drake Maye
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) had his 2025 season come to an unfortunate end when he tore his ACL during his team's NFC Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. After undergoing surgery in late February, Charbonnet's status for the start of the 2026 season is questionable at best. Without the injury, Charbonnet may have been in a prime position to take over the Seahawks backfield following the departure of former Seattle back Kenneth Walker III in free agency. Instead, the Seahawks used their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price and added former Green Bay Packers back Emanuel Wilson in free agency. Charbonnet was a productive player while splitting touches with Walker III, recording just over 1,300 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Still, his knee injury and Seattle's addition of Price put Charbonnet's dynasty value in question heading into 2026
Walker suggested Tuesday that he might have an opportunity to catch more passes with the Chiefs than he did with the Seahawks, Eric Edholm of NFL.com reports. On the heels of being named the most valuable player of Super Bowl LX, Walker inked a lucrative three-year deal to lead Kansas City's backfield this coming season. Edholm notes that Walker earned a reputation as a run-first back during his four-year stint with Seattle, but the 2022 second-rounder -- who logged 31 catches in 17 regular-season games in 2025 -- has reportedly been spending time with QB Patrick Mahomes (who is bouncing back from a December ACL/LCL injury) this offseason in anticipation of a potentially expanded role as a pass-catcher. "We've been working on getting connected in the passing game and everything, so that's good," Walker said. "I feel like I'll be used more in the pass game." Either way, as the clear-cut RB1 for his new team, Walker figures to be busy out of the gate this coming season, while Mahomes works his way back to form. Competing for complementary work behind Walker will be a pair of newcomers in rookie Emmett Johnson and free agent addition Emari Demercado, as well as 2025 seventh-rounder Brashard Smith
Arizona Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love (+300) is the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, followed by Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza. Other notable rookies with odds include Titans WR Carnell Tate, Saints WR Jordyn Tyson, and Seahawks RB Jadarian Price. Quarterbacks Carson Beck and Ty Simpson also have odds, while the Defensive Rookie of the Year race features Jets WR David Bailey and Buccaneers LB Rueben Bain Jr
The Kansas City Chiefs made one of the biggest moves of the NFL offseason by signing running back Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, $43 million contract in free agency. Walker III recorded 1,309 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 252 touches across 17 games as a member of the Seattle Seahawks in 2025. The 25-year-old did so despite splitting touches with fellow Seahawks back Zach Charbonnet (knee) for the majority of the year. In Kansas City, Walker III profiles as the clear lead back and could easily top 300 touches for the first time in his career if he can stay healthy. The Chiefs' offense could have some struggles in the early going while star quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) makes his way back from knee surgery. Still, Kansas City should put Walker III in a position to rack up consistent fantasy production. In dynasty formats, Walker III profiles as a major riser following his offseason change of scenery
