Since 2004, every reigning Super Bowl champion has played in the NFL’s Thursday night season opener.
The Patriots were the first winner to take part in the “NFL Kickoff” special, but they might not get to do it this year, according to John Ourand of SportsBusiness Journal.
The NFL is leaning toward having the Bears host the Packers for next season’s opening kickoff game on Thursday, Sept. 5, according to multiple sources. … The newly crowned Patriots likely will host the season’s first “Sunday Night Football” game instead, on Sept. 8.
The NFL is leaning toward having Chicago host the season’s first game as part of its 100th season celebration, allowing it to showcase the league’s oldest rivalry. The Bears and Packers first played in 1921 and have faced each other 198 times.
This would lead to a season opener that features the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers — with the Patriots playing on Sunday night. Although this makes sense, it would disrupt a tradition that was put in place to celebrate the NFL champions.
The Patriots are ready to put up their banner — unlike Super Bowl LI, when they ran out of room.
This piece of history is worth celebrating — but the Sunday night opener may be a better time for it.
