Seahawks 2026 kickoff opponent: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs not expected to face Seattle in Week 1

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 15: Jake Bobo #19 of the Seattle Seahawks leaps over Nazeeh Johnson #13 of the Kansas City Chiefs for a touchdown during the second quarter of the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 15, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We’re less than two months away from finding out the Seattle Seahawks’ 2026 schedule, and it’s more likely than not we’ll know their Week 1 opponent well before the rest of their season. One team that is seemingly not in the running for Sept. 9 at Lumen Field is the dynastic Kansas City Chiefs.

Had Patrick Mahomes not torn his ACL last December, the Chiefs would’ve looked like a prime opening night candidate as the NFL’s longtime powerhouse going up against the reigning Super Bowl champions. However, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt looks to have poured cold water over the Chiefs-Seahawks as the NFL’s curtain raiser.

While Seahawks Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker is the high profile addition to the Chiefs offense, his return to Seattle probably isn’t a good enough selling point when Justin Fields would be the presumptive starting quarterback in Mahomes’ absence. The Chiefs saw their run of three straight Super Bowl appearances (including two wins, one of which came over the San Francisco 49ers, who haven’t won it all since 1995) come to a crashing halt with a 6-11 record. Injuries were a definite factor but their performances even prior to Mahomes’ injury indicated missing the postseason was an inevitable outcome.

With the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams set to play in Australia (much to the protestations of Kyle Shanahan) and the Chiefs seemingly not an option, the Seahawks’ opening night foes will be one of the following:

• Arizona Cardinals (let’s be real, it won’t be them)
• New York Giants
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Dallas Cowboys
• Chicago Bears
• New England Patriots

We’ll just have to sit tight and find out who will be the Seahawks’ opposition on banner raising night.