SEATTLE — The confetti from the Seahawks’ dominant 29-13 Super Bowl LX victory hasn’t even been swept off Fourth Avenue, but the NFL is already threatening to rain on the parade. While Seattle fans expected to open the 2026 season with the traditional Thursday night spotlight, reports surfaced this week that the league might hand the season opener—and the global stage—to a Wednesday showdown in Melbourne, Australia.
Down Under, Over the Top?
John Ourand of Puck dropped the bombshell that could relegate the defending champs to second billing. The league is eyeing a historic opener between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. To navigate the brutal 19-hour time difference, the NFL is considering a Wednesday, Sept. 9 kickoff.
If that happens, the Seahawks’ banner-raising moment at Lumen Field would technically follow the season opener, rather than igniting it. It’s a scheduling quirk that has the 12s feeling like the league is already looking past their title run.
“Not only do we have the best defense in the world, we got the best team in the world, and quite frankly, if you got anything to say for my quarterback, you got anything to say for my defense… I got two words for you: [Expletive] you.”
— Ernest Jones IV, Seahawks Linebacker
Disrespect or Business?
The frustration isn’t just about a time slot; it’s about perceived value. While the Rams and 49ers battle for international market share, Seattle faces an offseason defined by uncertainty. The Paul Allen estate is reportedly preparing to put the franchise on the block, a move insiders say was delayed until after this championship run.
Critics argue the league is capitalizing on the flashy NFC West rivalry in Australia while the Seahawks navigate an ownership transition. But inside the Vmac, the mood isn’t panic—it’s fuel. Coach Mike Macdonald’s squad just dismantled the Patriots with a suffocating defensive performance. If the NFL wants to start the party in Melbourne without them, Seattle seems more than happy to crash it later.
What’s Next
The official schedule release in May will confirm if the Seahawks get the standalone spotlight or share opening week glory. For now, the champs are busy fitting rings, even if they’re already eyeing a Week 1 statement against whoever dares to visit Seattle.
