Updated September 09, 2026, 8:22 PM EDT By Andrew Greif, Rohan Nadkarni, and Greg Rosenstein
NFL Season Begins with Seahawks vs. Patriots Rematch
The NFL season starts with a thrilling Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Fans eagerly anticipate seeing how the Seahawks perform without Kenneth Walker III, their star running back who has joined Kansas City. Meanwhile, New England hopes newly-acquired wide receiver A.J. Brown will boost their performance.
Stay with NBC News for real-time insights and analysis of the NFL opener.
Game Details
- New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks
- Date: Wednesday, September 9
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- How to watch: NBC or stream on Peacock
Seattle Aims for Back-to-Back Championships
The Seahawks strive to become the 10th team in history to win consecutive Super Bowls. In the last two decades, only the Patriots in 2003-04 and the Chiefs in 2022-23 have achieved this feat.
Big Contract for Patriots’ Cornerback
Days before the season kickoff, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez secured a lucrative contract extension. Valued at $135 million over four years, it includes a record $102 million in guaranteed funds, surpassing Devon Witherspoon’s extension with Seattle.
Patriots’ Offseason Challenges
Commentators Mike Florio and Chris Simms discuss the challenges and distractions facing the Patriots during the offseason, led by coach Mike Vrabel. They speculate on potential outcomes if the team struggles early in the season.
Seahawks List Inactive Players
Seattle announces that Nick Emmanwori, previously doubtful due to an ankle injury, will not play in the opener.
Wide Receiver Showdown in Seattle
With wide receivers crucial to Seattle’s Super Bowl win, led by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the team faces New England, which seeks an offensive boost from A.J. Brown to support quarterback Drake Maye.
Seahawks Replace Key Personnel
After the Super Bowl win, Seattle sees changes in coaching and player roster. Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak joined the Raiders as head coach, succeeded by Brian Fleury in Seattle. Kenneth Walker’s move to Kansas City alongside safety Coby Bryant’s transfer to Chicago means adjustments for Seattle.
Despite these changes, the Seahawks retain 20 out of 22 starters, an impressive continuity.
2026 NFL Rule Changes
This season, coaches have the option to designate an assistant to manage challenge flags. The league also stiffens penalties for certain injuries-prone moves, with any player accruing infractions for particular tackles facing a one-game suspension.
Mike Tomlin Joins NBC Crew
Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin debuts as an analyst on NBC, expressing newfound enjoyment and insight from his role post-coaching. However, he remains open to future coaching opportunities.
Patriots’ Injuries and Challenges
Running back TreVeyon Henderson is sidelined with an ankle injury, highlighting the challenges for New England as they face a more difficult schedule than last season.
Sneak Peek Into The Players and Predictions
Analysts discuss potential MVP candidates, reveal Super Bowl predictions, and highlight key matchups and strategies in the season opener.
Major Transactions and Ownership News
In a major franchise transaction, the Seahawks were sold to an ownership group led by Vinod and Neeru Khosla for an unprecedented $9.6 billion. This comes after Jody Allen’s decision to put the team up for sale following their Super Bowl triumph.