Winners and losers from 2026 NFL schedule release

The NFL released its full 2026 schedule, prompting analysis of which teams, coaches, and players benefit or face challenges from the arrangement. Patrick Mahomes, recovering from a torn ACL, is highlighted as a winner, as the Chiefs' Week 1 Monday night slot gives him maximum rehab time before facing the Broncos at Arrowhead. Kansas City also opens with back-to-back home games followed by road trips against first-year head coaches Jeff Hafley in Miami and Klint Kubiak in Las Vegas, plus a favorable Week 5 bye.