The Seattle Seahawks have their 2026 schedule, and it kicks off with a heavyweight showdown. When the season opens in Week 1, the Seahawks will face the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl 60 rematch—an immediate test that will reveal just how ready this team is to defend its title.

This offseason has been a whirlwind for Seattle. General manager John Schneider made tough but necessary moves, letting key contributors like Kenneth Walker III, Riq Woolen, Boye Mafe, and Coby Bryant walk in free agency. The biggest splash? First-round running back Jadarian Price, who brings fresh energy to the backfield. But the Seahawks also locked in crucial pieces, re-signing Josh Jobe and Rashid Shaheed—both instrumental in last year's championship run. And with cap space to spare, they inked Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a historic extension, while extensions for Sam Darnold and Devon Witherspoon loom on the horizon.

On the other side, the Patriots have had a peculiar offseason of their own. Head coach Mike Vrabel has faced distractions from an alleged off-field situation, but New England hasn't stood still. They've added talent and are expected to land superstar wide receiver AJ Brown in a June trade. That means the Patriots will roll into Seattle as a dangerous, improved squad, hungry to prove last season was no fluke.

For the Seahawks, this Week 1 clash is more than just a game—it's a measuring stick. How they stack up against a motivated Patriots team will set the tone for their title defense. Football is back, and the stakes couldn't be higher from the very first snap.