The NFL draft is in the rearview mirror, rookie minicamps are underway, and the offseason workout program is humming along. So what's the next big date to circle on your calendar? The NFL's schedule release, coming this May. While the Green Bay Packers—and the rest of the league—already know their 2026 opponents, the full 17-game slate is about to drop, and the excitement is building.
The NFL has turned schedule release into a full-blown event, and for good reason. The order of those known opponents can make or break a season. For the Packers, the biggest battles will of course be within the NFC North. With Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears on the rise and a renewed rivalry brewing, the talent-laden Detroit Lions, and the potential resurgence of the Minnesota Vikings with Kyler Murray under center, the North is once again shaping up as one of the toughest divisions in football. Every divisional clash will carry massive weight. Can the Packers avenge those two gut-wrenching losses to the Bears from last season? Will they sweep the Lions again? And will the Vikings—who beat a JV version of Green Bay in the season finale—prove to be a tough out in 2026?
As crucial as those six division games are, the Packers also face several elite teams and intriguing opponents outside the NFC North. Here are the five biggest non-division games on the 2026 schedule:
1. Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field
This isn't just about Micah Parsons returning home to Green Bay—though that's a storyline in itself. It's the return of former Packers Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark, plus a rematch of last season's thrilling 40-40 tie. The Cowboys have loaded up on defense and look like one of the league's most fascinating teams entering 2026. For maximum entertainment, let's hope this one lands in October or later, giving Parsons time to get back to full strength.
2. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams were an NFC finalist in 2025 and still have NFL MVP Matthew Stafford leading the charge. With a potent offense and a defense that knows how to step up in big moments, this matchup will be a true test of Green Bay's championship credentials.