NFL Rumors: Patriots Aren’t Expected To Host Thursday Night Season Opener

The NFL seems ready to break a “tradition” that has been in place for almost 15 years.

Sports Business Daily reported Monday that the New England Patriots aren’t expected to be featured in the NFL’s season-opening game despite winning the Super Bowl. It would be the first time since 2006 that the defending champions didn’t play on Thursday night of Week 1.

Instead, the NFL is leaning toward opening the season with the Green Bay Packers visiting the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Sept. 5, according to Sports Business Daily. The decision isn’t entirely out of the blue, as the NFL reportedly wants to showcase the league’s oldest rivalry to kick off its celebration of the 100th season of the NFL.

Instead of opening the season on Thursday night, the Patriots are expected to raise their Super Bowl banner on the season debut of  “Sunday Night Football” in Week 1. The Patriots’ opponent remains to be seen, but there is no shortage of good options, as the Patriots’ out-of-division home opponents include the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Giants in 2019.