So, the regular season is officially in the rearview mirror. If you're a Green Bay fan, you've probably spent the last few days trying to scrub the memory of that Week 18 loss to the Vikings out of your brain. Honestly, a 16-3 finish wasn't exactly the "momentum builder" anyone was looking for. But here is the thing about the NFL: the slate wipes clean the second you hit the tournament.
If you are asking who do the Packers play next week, the answer isn't a "who" anymore—it’s a "what happened."
As of right now, Jan. 15, 2026, the Packers have already played their Wild Card game. They traveled to Soldier Field on Saturday, Jan. 10, to face the Chicago Bears. It was the rubber match we all wanted and, frankly, it was a heartbreaker. The Packers fell 31-27 to their oldest rivals, which means there is no "next week" on the current 2025-26 schedule. The season is done.
The Brutal Reality of the 2026 Offseason
It’s weird to think about the "next" game being months away, but that’s where we are. Because Green Bay finished as the No. 7 seed and got bounced in the first round, the focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 regular season.
Usually, we have to wait until May to see the full calendar with dates and times. However, since the NFL uses a fixed rotation for opponents, we actually already know exactly who the Packers are lining up against next year.
💡 You might also like: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
If you’re looking for the "next" time they take the field, you're looking at August 2026 for the preseason. But for the games that actually count? Here is how the 2026 slate is shaking out. It’s kinda brutal, to be honest.
Home Games at Lambeau
- The North: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings. (Obviously).
- NFC South: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers.
- AFC East: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins.
- The "Place Finish" Games: Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.
Road Trips
- The North: Bears, Lions, Vikings.
- NFC South: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- AFC East: New England Patriots, New York Jets.
- The "Place Finish" Game: Los Angeles Rams.
Why the 2026 Schedule Matters Right Now
You might think it’s too early to care about a game in New Orleans or a home date with the Bills. You’d be wrong.
The Packers finished second in the NFC North this year (shoutout to the 9-7-1 record that somehow felt like a rollercoaster). Because of that second-place finish, the NFL’s scheduling formula pits them against the second-place finishers from the NFC East, NFC West, and AFC South.
That is why we’re seeing the Cowboys and the Rams on the list. Basically, the NFL rewards your "almost greatness" by giving you a schedule filled with other teams that almost made it or just barely missed the top spot.
📖 Related: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
The Micah Parsons Factor
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Lion in the room. During the 2025 season, Green Bay made a massive move for Micah Parsons, sending a 2026 first-round pick and Kenny Clark to Dallas.
When the Packers play the Cowboys in 2026 at Lambeau, it’s going to be a circus. You've got Parsons facing his old team, and the Packers trying to prove that giving up a future first-rounder was worth it for a Wild Card exit.
Addressing the "Next Week" Misconception
A lot of fans get confused this time of year because of the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl.
- Next week (Jan. 18-19): This is the Divisional Round. Since the Packers lost to the Bears, they are spectators.
- Jan. 25: Conference Championships.
- Feb. 8: Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium.
Unless you are a fan of the "Pro Bowl Games" (which start Feb. 3 in San Francisco), there isn't any Packers football to watch until the summer. It’s a long, cold wait in Wisconsin.
👉 See also: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
What Should Fans Do Now?
Since the question of who do the Packers play next week resulted in a "nobody," the focus for the front office—and the fans—moves to the NFL Draft and Free Agency.
- Watch the Salary Cap: With the roster frozen for playoff teams just recently, the Packers are about to start making moves. Watch for news around Jan. 5 (which has passed) and into February regarding fifth-year options.
- Scout the AFC East: Since Green Bay plays the Bills, Jets, Dolphins, and Patriots next year, keep an eye on how those teams finish their seasons. The AFC East was a meat grinder this year; playing them in 2026 won't be a cakewalk.
- The Draft (April 2026): Even though the first-round pick is gone to Dallas, the Packers still have plenty of capital to fix a defense that gave up 31 points to the Bears when it mattered most.
The 2025-26 season ended sooner than anyone in Titletown hoped. The loss at Soldier Field is going to sting all winter. But the 2026 opponents are set, the storylines are already brewing, and honestly, the path back to the playoffs looks like it’s going to go through a very tough AFC East rotation.
Keep an eye on the official schedule release in mid-May. That is when we will get the actual dates and see if we’re stuck with another Week 18 showdown in the cold.
Next Steps for Packers Fans:
- Review the 2026 home/away opponent list to start planning travel.
- Monitor the NFL Scouting Combine (Feb. 23 – March 2) to see how the Packers might use their mid-round picks to replace Kenny Clark's production.
- Check the "Gold Package" ticket status if you're a season-holder, as those 2026 games are already being allocated.