Thanksgiving football just got its first major rumor for 2026, and Lions fans might feel a sense of déjà vu. According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Detroit Lions are reportedly set to host the Chicago Bears on Turkey Day once again.

If this leak holds true, it would mark the fifth time in six seasons under head coach Dan Campbell that Detroit faces a division rival on the holiday. The Lions have squared off against the Bears in 2021, 2024, and now 2026, with the Green Bay Packers appearing in 2023 and 2025. The only non-division opponent during Campbell’s tenure? The Buffalo Bills back in 2022.

While some fans might crave a fresh matchup, this game carries serious historical weight. The Bears and Lions have clashed 20 times on Thanksgiving—the second-most frequent holiday pairing in NFL history. Their last two meetings on the big day tell a tale of two eras: Chicago edged Detroit 16-14 in Campbell’s first season (2021), but the Lions flipped the script with a 23-20 victory in 2024.

This year’s potential showdown adds another layer of drama. Bears head coach Ben Johnson will be making his second return to Ford Field since leaving Detroit, and he’ll be eager to erase the memory of last season’s 52-21 blowout loss. Johnson is currently 0-2 against his former team in 2025, making this a pivotal chance to change the narrative.

The stakes couldn't be higher. Chicago enters as the defending NFC North champions, but Detroit holds the early edge as division favorites for the upcoming season. The NFL is banking on both teams being playoff-relevant by Week 12, which would make this a nationally televised must-watch.

Nothing is official yet—the Lions and NFL have not confirmed the schedule—but the rumor mill is already heating up. Stay tuned as we track every leak and update in our official Lions 2026 schedule tracker.