Mock Chiefs 2026 schedule: How the NFL could set up the slate of KC’s games
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The NFL teased the 2026 schedule but did not confirm the exact reveal date.
- The mock schedule projects the Chiefs will play five prime-time games.
- The mock slate lists Jan. 3 at Dolphins and Jan. 9 or Jan. 10 vs. the Broncos.
An NFL news release hit the inbox Thursday afternoon, and the topic was the unveiling of the 2026 schedule.
“The road to Super Bowl LXI starts here,” the release said. “Are you ready for the drop? 18 weeks. 272 games. The 2026 NFL schedule is almost here.”
One piece of crucial information was missing: When the league will actually reveal the slate of games.
But CNBC’s Alex Sherman reported the schedule will be released on Wednesday or Thursday, although NBC Sports said that could be pushed back a week.
And so we wait.
We know the opponents just not the order of games, so I took a crack at what the Chiefs’ schedule might look like this season. This forecast has the Chiefs playing five prime-time games.
Sept. 13: at Broncos
Denver ended the Chiefs’ nine-season run as the AFC West champions, and the Broncos swept the Chiefs last season. To get back on top, the Chiefs will have to knock off the top dogs. CBS would be thrilled to have this game in the late-afternoon window with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call.
Sept. 20: vs. Jets (SNF)
The NFL is aware quarterback Patrick Mahomes may not be ready for the opener, but it doesn’t want to back load all the Chiefs prime-time games. So the league rolls the dice here. The Jets received great grades for their draft, which was headlined by former Texas Tech star pass rusher David Bailey.
Sept. 27: vs. Raiders
It would be fun if the NFL planned it this way, because fans of a certain age would realize that the Chiefs advanced to Super Bowl IV by defeating the Jets and Raiders in consecutive weeks. Younger Chiefs fans would welcome the opportunity to see Vegas quarterback Fernando Mendoza for the first time, and this would be a noon start.
Oct. 1: at Bengals (TNF)
The Chiefs faced Cincinnati five times in a 24-month span in 2022-’23, including consecutive AFC Championship Games. They didn’t play last season, but judging by the back and forth on social media, fans of the teams still don’t like one another. Mahomes has never won in Cincinnati (0-2). Joe Burrow vs. Mahomes would be good theater for “Thursday Night Football.”
Oct. 12: at Rams (MNF)
SoFi Stadium is the site of Super Bowl LXI, and both teams have aspirations of playing in that game. The Chiefs; last meeting against the Rams in California came in 2018, also on “Monday Night Football,” and LA won an epic 54-51 shootout. KC fans would get to see new Rams cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
Oct. 18: vs. Colts
Do you know the last team the Chiefs defeated a year ago? Yep, the Colts as Mahomes engineered a fourth-quarter comeback. The Chiefs trailed by 11 points with under nine minutes to play, but came away with an electric 23-20 overtime win at Arrowhead Stadium that was just the third loss for Indianapolis. This one would be a noon kickoff.
Oct. 25: at Chargers
The Chiefs return to SoFi Stadium to face the Chargers, who swept the season series a year ago, winning the two games by a combined nine points. The Chargers’ “home” win last season came in Brazil. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spanguolo matching wits with new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel equals a fun late-afternoon Sunday game.
Nov. 1: vs. Cardinals
This would be a noon start, too, as the Chiefs face another NFC West opponent. The big question is who will be under center for Arizona: Jacoby Brissett, Carson Beck or former Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew? The Cardinals’ franchise has never won in Kansas City (0-5-1) dating to the team’s time in St. Louis.
Nov. 8: at Bills (SNF)
In the past, CBS has made a special request to the NFL for the right to broadcast this game, and this matchup has given the network huge ratings. But here’s guessing the NFL moves the game to prime time in the hopes of getting an even bigger number of viewers. This will be the Chiefs’ first game in new Highmark Stadium, which opens this year. Mahomes has a 3-2 record in Buffalo.
Nov. 15: vs. Falcons in Madrid, Spain
The Chiefs asked the NFL to play in Spain, where they have marketing rights. Even a pessimist would expect Mahomes to be back at this point of the season, and fans who watched Critstiano Ronaldo play at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, would now get the chance to see one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
Nov. 22: Bye week
Nov. 29: vs. 49ers (MNF)
This would be a fun way to return after the bye. Two of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victories have come at the expense of San Francisco. The 49ers have made the postseason in four of the past five seasons, including last year when they upset the Eagles in Philadelphia. Arrowhead Stadium would be rocking on a cool late fall evening. The 49ers haven’t beaten the Chiefs in KC since 1982 ... when Joe Montana had won just one Super Bowl title.
Dec. 6: vs. Patriots
The Patriots supplanted the Chiefs as AFC champions last season as they surprisingly ended the Bills’ five-year run atop the East division. New England is facing some questions this offseason. Two of the biggest are: Can quarterback Drake Maye continue his success or will he take a step back? And Will Mike Vrabel still be coaching the team? CBS will put this matchup on in the late afternoon.
Dec. 13: at Seahawks
The Chiefs will face Super Bowl LX teams in consecutive weeks in this scenario. The Seahawks will be looking to replicate the Chiefs’ feat of winning consecutive Super Bowl championships this season. But it’ll be without running back Kenneth Walker, who undoubtedly will be excited for his return to Lumen Field, which is the second-loudest stadium in the NFL after Arrowhead. This could be a late-afternoon Fox game.
Dec. 20: at Raiders
The Raiders finally beat the Chiefs in Las Vegas last season after Kansas City went 5-0 in Allegiant Stadium. That record included the Super Bowl LVIII victory, which the Chiefs celebrated by smoking cigars in the Raiders locker room. The Raiders’ first win over KC came in the January’s season finale when Mahomes had already started rehab work after knee surgery.
Dec. 25: vs. Chargers
The Chiefs want to continue the tradition of playing on Christmas Day, and they’ve already faced the Raiders and Broncos on the holiday. Unfortunately, the Chiefs have lost to both AFC West rivals on Christmas (although Mahomes missed the Denver loss). Netflix would be happy to have this game in the late afternoon window after everyone has opened their presents.
Jan. 3: at Dolphins
While happy to have defeated Miami in that memorable frigid wild-card game in 2024, the Chiefs would be thrilled to play in South Florida in January. Miami is in full rebuild mode, and this game has a noon kickoff written all over it. One big question to be answered: Will Tyreek Hill be with the Chiefs for this game?
Jan. 9 or 10: vs. Broncos
The season is bookended with games against Denver, the defending AFC West champion. This one should at the very least would have playoff implications and it could even be for the division title, which would make it a candidate to be a Saturday game.
This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 8:57 AM.
