UPDATE (9:20 p.m. ET): The NFL released its 2016 schedule Thursday night and confirmed the Denver Broncos will host the Carolina Panthers in the Sept. 8 season opener.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Denver Broncos still don’t know who their quarterback will be next season, but at least the defending Super Bowl champions reportedly know their Week 1 opponent.
The Broncos will begin their title defense Thursday, Sept. 8, in a Super Bowl 50 rematch with the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, league sources told the Charlotte Observer’s Joseph Person on Thursday.
All 32 NFL teams already know their 2016 opponents, but the weeks and dates for the matchups will be announced Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. But the leaks started well before then, with the Broncos-Panthers matchup leading the way. The Minnesota Vikings also reportedly will open U.S. Bank Stadium with a Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
