Despite Super Bowl LXI being more than a year away, sports analyst Skip Bayless has already projected that the Buffalo Bills, led by Josh Allen, will face the Chicago Bears in the final showdown at SoFi Stadium on February 14, 2026. Bayless shared his early predictions on Monday through X, highlighting two teams that narrowly missed advancing deep into last season’s playoffs.
Bayless Highlights Teams with Potential for a Breakthrough
In his message, Bayless wrote,
“My extremely early Super Bowl pick for next year, subject to change: Bills over Bears. Dark horses: Chargers w/ 4th most cap plus Mike McDaniel to turn around Herbert … and Raiders w/ 2nd most cap, Mendoza, Jeanty, Bowers, Kubiak.”
?Skip Bayless, Sports Columnist
The Bears, guided by quarterback Caleb Williams on a lucrative four-year deal worth nearly $39.5 million, secured an 11-6 record and won the NFC North division. Williams threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns during their wild card victory over the Packers but fell to the Los Angeles Rams in an overtime divisional round battle.
Buffalo closed the regular season with a 12-5 record, finishing second in the AFC East behind the Patriots. Josh Allen helped the Bills prevail over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild card round before being edged out by the Denver Broncos in overtime of the divisional round.
Super Bowl LXI Logo and Venue Details Announced
The NFL recently revealed the official logo for Super Bowl LXI, scheduled for February 14, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The unveiling occurred during the traditional handoff ceremony following the Patriots versus Seahawks season finale, marking the transition from the Bay Area host group to the Los Angeles host committee.
The logo features a sunset-inspired gradient of orange and red across the Roman numeral LXI, complemented by a large blue wave design and the Lombardi Trophy centered over the X. Fans have speculated that the color palette connects to teams such as the Chiefs, 49ers, Rams, Dolphins, Jaguars, Lions, and Seahawks.
Implications for the Upcoming NFL Season
Bayless’ forecast points to a compelling rematch opportunity for both the Bills and Bears, who came close to postseason victories last year. The anticipation around Josh Allen and Caleb Williams leading their teams to the Super Bowl underscores the competitive nature of the NFL as teams look to grow stronger in 2026.
With the Super Bowl LXI set for a premier venue and the logo symbolizing broad conference enthusiasm, the event promises to be a focal point for fans nationwide. The successes and adjustments made by teams like the Chargers and Raiders could also shake up the playoff landscape, making next season’s narrative one to watch closely.
My extremely early Super Bowl pick for next year, subject to change: Bills over Bears. Dark horses: Chargers w/ 4th most cap plus Mike McDaniel to turn around Herbert … and Raiders w/ 2nd most cap, Mendoza, Jeanty, Bowers, Kubiak.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 10, 2026
