The silence at Lincoln Financial Field is pretty deafening right now. If you're looking for the kickoff time for the Philadelphia Eagles next game, the answer is a tough pill to swallow: there isn't one. Not for a while, anyway. On Sunday, January 11, 2026, the Eagles' season hit a brick wall in a 23-19 Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
It was a weird one. Saquon Barkley put up 131 yards, but the Birds just couldn't finish drives. Now, while the 49ers move on to face Seattle, Philly fans are stuck looking at a long, cold offseason.
But "next" is a relative term in the NFL. While they won't be taking the field for a meaningful snap until September 2026, we actually already know exactly who the Philadelphia Eagles play next thanks to the way the league's scheduling formula works. Since they clinched the NFC East title this past season, they’re staring down a "first-place schedule" that looks absolutely brutal on paper.
The 2026 Opponents: A Gauntlet for the Birds
Even though the dates and times won't be officially dropped by the league until May, the list of teams is locked in. Honestly, it's a bit of a nightmare. Because the Eagles won their division, they have to play the other heavy hitters from across the NFC and AFC.
You’ve basically got a repeat of some of the most stressful games of the last two years. The 2026 schedule includes a full rotation against the NFC West and the AFC South.
Home Games at the Linc
The home slate is headlined by some massive reunions and grudge matches. Beyond the usual NFC East suspects (Cowboys, Giants, and Commanders), fans are going to see some high-profile visitors:
- The Pittsburgh Steelers: This "Battle of Pennsylvania" is always a circus, especially with both teams coming off playoff appearances.
- The Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud coming to Philly is going to be one of the most expensive tickets of the year.
- The Los Angeles Rams: A rematch of a tight 2025 contest.
- The Seattle Seahawks: Expect some noise for this one.
- The Indianapolis Colts: This means Shane Steichen returns to Philadelphia. Fans still have plenty of opinions about his departure, and the atmosphere will be... let's call it "energetic."
The Away Slate
Traveling isn't going to be any easier. The Birds have to head out West and into some of the toughest environments in football.
- San Francisco 49ers: This is the big one. After the 49ers just knocked the Eagles out of the 2026 playoffs, heading to Levi’s Stadium is going to feel like a revenge tour.
- Chicago Bears: A trip to Soldier Field to face Caleb Williams.
- Arizona Cardinals: Usually a "trap game" for the Birds, and never as easy as it looks.
- Jacksonville Jaguars & Tennessee Titans: Two AFC South road trips that will test the team's depth.
Why the "First-Place Schedule" Actually Matters
A lot of people think the NFL schedule is random. It isn't. The league is designed for parity, which is a fancy way of saying they want to make life hard for teams that win. Because the Eagles finished 11-6 and took the NFC East crown, they are forced to play the winners of the NFC North (the Bears) and the NFC South (the Panthers).
This "winner's tax" means the Eagles rarely get a "gimme" game. While a last-place team might get a softer schedule to help them rebuild, Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts are stuck in the deep end.
The nuance here is the travel. In 2026, the Eagles are looking at several cross-country flights. Managing the "body clock" issues when flying to Santa Clara or Glendale has been a sticking point for this coaching staff in the past.
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The Jalen Hurts Factor and 2026 Expectations
When you're asking who the Philadelphia Eagles play next, you're really asking if this roster can survive the schedule. Jalen Hurts is entering a pivotal year in 2026. The 2025 season ended with a whimper, and the local media is already buzzing about whether the offense has become too predictable.
General Manager Howie Roseman has nine home games to work with in 2026. That extra home game (part of the 17-game season rotation) is a slight advantage, especially given how much of a fortress the Linc can be when the fans are actually happy.
But let's be real—the defense needs a facelift. Vic Fangio’s unit had some bright spots, but they got carved up by Brock Purdy when it mattered most. The draft in April will be the first "real" next step in seeing how they'll match up against the high-powered offenses of the Texans and 49ers on the 2026 calendar.
What to Watch For This Spring
Since the game dates aren't set, your next big milestones are the "Schedule Release" and the NFL Draft. Here is how the timeline usually breaks down:
- Late February: The NFL Scouting Combine gives us a look at who the Eagles might pick to stop the guys they're scheduled to play.
- Mid-March: Free Agency begins. This is where Howie Roseman usually does his best work.
- Late April: The 2026 NFL Draft.
- Mid-May: The official 2026 NFL Schedule release, where we finally get the "when" for these opponents.
If you're planning a trip to see a road game, hold off on booking those flights to San Francisco or Chicago until that May announcement. The NFL loves to put the Eagles in prime time, so there’s a high chance several of these games move to Sunday Night or Monday Night Football.
The 2025-2026 season might be over, but the road back to the playoffs is already mapped out. It’s a path filled with elite quarterbacks and familiar faces, and for the Eagles, the work to beat them has already started behind closed doors at the NovaCare Complex.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the compensatory pick announcements in early spring, as those extra mid-round selections will be vital for a team facing such a heavy-hitting 2026 schedule.