REACTION to Bears' 2026 Schedule

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor unpack the newly released 2026 Chicago Bears schedule and react to some early surprises, including Chicago opening the season on the road against Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers instead of a trip to Seattle. The duo highlights several marquee matchups on the calendar, from a Monday night showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles to a pivotal Week 8 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks that Clay believes could become a measuring-stick game for the season. They also discuss the Bears’ stretch of primetime appearances and why the Week 10 bye may arrive at the perfect time. Later in the episode, Ruthie and Clay look ahead to a challenging finish to the year that includes Thanksgiving in Detroit against the Detroit Lions, a late-season home game versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a brutal closing run featuring Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day, another matchup with Detroit, and a season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. Clay shares a player’s perspective on preparing for holiday games and explains why Ben Johnson may be uniquely prepared to navigate the challenges that come with facing a first-place schedule after his success coordinating one in Detroit.