It’s five months until the 2026 season opener but Chiefs and Broncos fans are already taking shots at each other.

The NFL’s primetime opener suggests confidence in Mahomes’ recovery. The NFL rarely leaves its biggest television cards to chance, which is why the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 1 assignment has immediately fueled a new round of Patrick Mahomes speculation.

The Broncos are the reigning champions of the AFC West, while the Chiefs are looking to rebound from a third-place finish in 2025, ending a nine-year streak of winning the division. The long-time rivalry’s first rendition of 2026 will take place at Arrowhead,

The full Denver Broncos' 2026 NFL schedule will be announced on Thursday evening. We are tracking all the leaks on this page.