If you’re frantically searching for who will Packers play next week, I have some tough news that might ruin your Thursday morning. The Green Bay Packers don’t have a game next week. Their season officially ended on Saturday, January 10, 2026, on the frozen turf of Soldier Field.
It was a classic NFC North slugfest, the kind that makes your hands ache just watching it. The Packers, entering as the No. 7 seed, went into Chicago to face the No. 2 seeded Bears for a high-stakes "rubber match." They’d split the regular-season series, but this time, the stakes were win-or-go-home. Unfortunately for the Green Bay faithful, they're going home. The Bears pulled off a 31-27 victory, sending Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur into an early offseason while Chicago moves on to host the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.
The Heartbreak at Soldier Field: Why There’s No Game Next Week
It’s kind of wild how quickly a season can vanish. One minute you're thinking about a Super Bowl run, and the next, you're looking at mock drafts. The Packers actually held a lead late in the fourth quarter. Jordan Love looked like the franchise savior we all hope he is, but a late surge by the Bears' offense—and a defense that couldn't quite get the stop they needed—sealed Green Bay's fate.
Basically, the "next week" for the Packers is now a long stretch of exit interviews and recovery. While the rest of the NFC remains in the hunt, the Packers are officially in evaluation mode.
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Who Will Packers Play Next? Looking Ahead to 2026
Since the postseason run is dead, the focus shifts to the 2026 regular season. We actually already know exactly who the Packers will play, even if we don't know the dates or times yet. Because the Packers finished second in the NFC North this year (finishing 9-7-1), their 2026 schedule is locked in based on the NFL's rotating divisional formula.
Next season, the NFC North is matched up against the NFC South and the AFC East. This means some long flights and some very interesting home matchups at Lambeau Field.
The 2026 Home Opponents at Lambeau Field
The Packers will host nine games at home in 2026. If you're planning a trip to the Tundra, here is who is coming to town:
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- The usual suspects: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings.
- NFC South visitors: Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.
- AFC East heavyweights: Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.
- The "Place-Finish" games: Dallas Cowboys (who also finished second in their division) and the Houston Texans.
The 2026 Road Warriors
Packers fans are famous for traveling well, and they’ll have some decent destinations next year.
- Division trips: Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis.
- Southern swings: New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- East Coast vibes: New England Patriots and New York Jets.
- The West Coast trip: A massive matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Why the 2026 Schedule Already Looks Brutal
Honestly, looking at that list, it's not going to be a walk in the park. The Packers are slated to play seven games against teams that made the 2025-26 playoffs. You’ve got the Bills, the Texans, the Rams, and of course, the ever-annoying Bears and Lions within the division.
A big narrative for next year will be the "revenge tour" against Chicago. After losing two of three to them this season—including that crushing Wild Card defeat—the rivalry is at a fever pitch.
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Actionable Steps for Packers Fans Right Now
Since you won't be tailgating or tuning into a game this coming weekend, here is how you can handle the "Packers void" in your schedule:
- Watch the Divisional Round as a Scout: Keep an eye on the Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams game on Sunday, January 18. Since the Packers play both of these teams in 2026, it’s a good chance to see how they stack up against the elite of the NFC.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: Offseasons usually bring changes. Keep an eye on whether Matt LaFleur makes any adjustments to the defensive staff after the late-game collapse in Chicago.
- Check Salary Cap Situations: The Packers have some big decisions to make regarding free agents. Start looking at the 2026 cap space to see if they can bring in a veteran playmaker to help Jordan Love take that next leap.
- Save the Date for May: The NFL usually releases the actual schedule (with dates and kickoff times) in mid-May. That’s when you can start booking those flights to New Orleans or Los Angeles.
The season didn't end the way anyone in Wisconsin wanted, but the foundation is clearly there. Now, the long wait for training camp begins.