The NFL released the schedule for the 2026 season, and they did the Los Angeles Rams no favors.
The Rams are traveling the second-most miles in 2026, thanks in part to beginning the season against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. They also have tied a league-record with seven primetime games, including their first three, the night before Thanksgiving, and Christmas night.
This schedule will certainly present some challenges to the Rams, and head coach Sean McVay discussed how they will navigate that.
“I think you gotta earn it. You and I both know, this league is so humbling. You obviously look at it, but it’s the coaching cliche, but it’s the truth. It’s one week at a time, try to be totally present,” McVay told SportsCenter. “We’re gonna use every day in the meantime to get ready to peak going into that Niners game. But it’s a great challenge. Everybody, this is all fun, but every single year is a great challenge in this league. We’re excited to be able to get the opportunity to be able to play in some of those games you mentioned.”
McVay also discussed what he immediately looks at when the schedule gets released every year.
“The first thing I’m looking at, what’s the opener? When’s the bye? When are some of those Thursday short weeks? What you can’t help but notice is we play on five days of the week throughout the season and then shoot, you never know, one of those flex games if it goes to Saturday, we’ll check every day off except for Tuesday. So it’ll be fun, but most importantly I’m looking at the opener and when the bye is. Love having the bye when we do in Week 11, I think that’s a perfect time to be able to have it.”
The Rams were given this schedule for good reason as they are the favorites to win the Super Bowl after an offseason in which they filled their needs.
McVay and his staff will need to keep the team on track throughout the year, but playing in so many high-profile games is a privilege they will gladly embrace.
Preseason
Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 15, 1 p.m. PT, CBS
Week 2: vs New Orleans Saints, Saturday, Aug. 22, 1 p.m. PT, CBS
Week 3: at Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Aug. 27, 7 p.m. PT, CBS
Regular Season
Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Sept. 10, 5:35 p.m. PT, Netflix
Week 2: vs. New York Giants, Monday, Sept. 21, 5:15 p.m. PT, ESPN
Week 3: @ Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 27, 5:20 p.m. PT, NBC
Week 4: @ Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. PT, FOX
Week 5: vs. Buffalo Bills, Monday, Oct. 12, 5:15 p.m. PT, ESPN
Week 6: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 1:05 p.m. PT, FOX
Week 7: @ Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 25, 1:25 p.m. PT, FOX
Week 8: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 1, 1:05 p.m. PT, FOX
Week 9: @ Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. PT, FOX
Week 10: @ Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 15, 1:05 p.m. PT, CBS
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 5:00 p.m. PT, Netflix
Week 13: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Dec. 3, 5:15 p.m. PT, Prime
Week 14: @ San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 13, 1:25 p.m. PT, FOX
Week 15: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 20, 1:25 p.m. PT, CBS
Week 16: @ Seattle Seahawks, Friday, Dec. 25, 5:15 p.m. PT, FOX
Week 17: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 3, TBD
Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 10, TBD