2026 NFL schedule release: Who has easiest, hardest lineups? - ESPN

The 2026 NFL schedule will be released Thursday night (8 ET, ESPN and ESPN App). Matchups have already been established, so we know the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals seem to have an easy slate, while the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears might face a gauntlet.

When putting together an 18-week, 272-game lineup that will begin Wednesday, Sept. 9, the league's schedule makers consider multiple factors to ensure competitive balance, including bye weeks, travel and potential scheduling conflicts. They also use a rotation system to make sure each team plays every other team at least once every four years. Thousands of possible slates are created before settling on the final version.

The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will open the season Sept. 9 against an unannounced opponent. Since 2004, 21 defending champs have played in the opener, and they have gone 16-5, including the Philadelphia Eagles' 24-20 win against the Dallas Cowboys to start the 2025 season, according to ESPN Research.

Along with each team's depth chart, here's a list of 2026 opponents for each NFL club. After tonight's release, ESPN will have all 32 teams' schedules and analysis.

With a combined opponent winning percentage of .550 during the 2025 season, the Chicago Bears have the strongest schedule in 2026.

With a combined opponent winning percentage of .429 during the 2025 season, the Cleveland Browns have the weakest schedule in 2026.

A team's strength of schedule is primarily determined by the combined winning percentage of its opponents from the previous season.

Based on their win-loss opponents' win percentage from the 2025 season:

1. Cleveland Browns 0.429 (easiest)
2. New Orleans Saints 0.434
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