2026 NFL training camp opens with Seahawks starting title defense
ESPN’s NFL Nation preview says all 32 teams enter camp with roster battles, injury returns and 53-man cuts ahead.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The 2026 NFL training camp rush is on, and ESPN’s NFL Nation says the defending champion Seattle Seahawks were first through the door when rookies reported on July 17.
Seattle’s early start comes with a shiny target on its back. The Seahawks are preparing to open the regular season against the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl LX rematch, according to ESPN’s schedule listing.
That opener is set for Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, with Seattle hosting New England. ESPN lists the Seahawks as 3.5-point favorites for the game.
ESPN’s NFL Nation, a group of 32 team-specific reporters, framed camp as the moment when a noisy offseason turns into actual depth charts. The outlet pointed to roster turnover, coaching changes, position competitions, injury comebacks and players settling in with new clubs as the leaguewide themes to watch.
What is the 2026 NFL training camp preview tracking?
ESPN’s preview is tracking one major storyline for each of the league’s 32 teams and projecting what every 53-man roster could look like five weeks from the start of camp. A 53-man roster is the regular-season squad each NFL team must trim down to before the games begin.
The stakes are immediate. Camp is where coaches sort out starting jobs, decide which backups are safe and test whether offseason plans survive contact with pads, heat and preseason games.
ESPN also noted that the league is beginning its build toward Super Bowl LXI. For Seattle, that means defending a title. For New England, it starts with a chance to see the Seahawks again right away.
When does the 2026 NFL season start?
The first regular-season game listed by ESPN is Patriots at Seahawks on Sept. 9. The matchup gives the league a prime-time restart after the teams met in Super Bowl LX.
The following night brings another major entry on the Week 1 board: the San Francisco 49ers against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL Melbourne Game. ESPN lists that game for Sept. 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET on Netflix, with the Rams favored by 3.5 points.
Most of the remaining Week 1 slate listed by ESPN lands on Sunday, Sept. 13. Early games include Falcons at Steelers, Ravens at Colts, Bills at Texans, Bears at Panthers, Browns at Jaguars, Saints at Lions, Jets at Titans and Buccaneers at Bengals.
The late Sunday window includes Cardinals at Chargers, Packers at Vikings, Dolphins at Raiders and Commanders at Eagles. Cowboys at Giants follows in prime time on NBC, according to ESPN’s listing.
Week 1 then closes Monday, Sept. 14, with Broncos at Chiefs on ESPN and ABC. ESPN lists Kansas City as a 3-point favorite.
Before any of that, the summer sorting begins. ESPN’s NFL Nation says every team arrives at camp with questions to answer before the first 53-man rosters are set.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.