Search Intent: Informational — NFL fans and fantasy football managers want to know when each team is off, which players will be unavailable, and how to plan their lineups.
The nfl bye weeks 2026 season gives every team one scheduled week off during the regular season. These breaks begin in Week 5 and continue through Week 14, with no bye weeks in Week 12. The final teams to rest are the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.
Whether you follow the NFL for the weekly matchups or manage a fantasy football team, knowing the schedule ahead of time can help you avoid surprises. A bye week affects more than the team itself: it can change your fantasy lineup, waiver-wire plans, weekly viewing schedule, and even your approach to the final stretch of the season.
This guide includes the full schedule, a team-by-team lookup table, fantasy football advice, and answers to common questions.
Complete 2026 NFL Bye Week Schedule
Here is the quickest way to find every team’s scheduled week off.
| NFL Week | Teams on Bye | Number of Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | None | 0 |
| Week 2 | None | 0 |
| Week 3 | None | 0 |
| Week 4 | None | 0 |
| Week 5 | Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs | 2 |
| Week 6 | Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings | 4 |
| Week 7 | Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders | 4 |
| Week 8 | Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers | 4 |
| Week 9 | Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans | 2 |
| Week 10 | Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4 |
| Week 11 | Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks | 6 |
| Week 12 | None | 0 |
| Week 13 | Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets | 4 |
| Week 14 | Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys | 2 |
| Weeks 15–18 | None | 0 |
Source: NFL.com, FOX Sports, and CBS Sports’ published 2026 bye-week schedules.
The main dates to remember are Week 5, when the first two teams take a break, and Week 11, which has the largest group of teams off. Week 12 is a full week of scheduled NFL action despite falling during the Thanksgiving period.
2026 NFL Bye Weeks by Team: All 32 Teams
If you only want to find your favorite team’s break, use this alphabetical list. It is especially useful when preparing a fantasy football draft, reviewing your team’s schedule, or planning your weekly NFL viewing.
| NFL Team | Bye Week |
|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | Week 14 |
| Atlanta Falcons | Week 11 |
| Baltimore Ravens | Week 13 |
| Buffalo Bills | Week 7 |
| Carolina Panthers | Week 5 |
| Chicago Bears | Week 10 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Week 6 |
| Cleveland Browns | Week 11 |
| Dallas Cowboys | Week 14 |
| Denver Broncos | Week 10 |
| Detroit Lions | Week 6 |
| Green Bay Packers | Week 11 |
| Houston Texans | Week 8 |
| Indianapolis Colts | Week 13 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Week 7 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Week 5 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Week 13 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Week 7 |
| Los Angeles Rams | Week 11 |
| Miami Dolphins | Week 6 |
| Minnesota Vikings | Week 6 |
| New England Patriots | Week 11 |
| New Orleans Saints | Week 8 |
| New York Giants | Week 8 |
| New York Jets | Week 13 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Week 10 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Week 9 |
| San Francisco 49ers | Week 8 |
| Seattle Seahawks | Week 11 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Week 10 |
| Tennessee Titans | Week 9 |
| Washington Commanders | Week 7 |
Source: Published 2026 NFL schedule and team bye-week listings.
Each franchise has one bye during the 18-week regular season. Since every team is scheduled to play 17 regular-season games, the bye provides a planned break between games.
NFL Bye Weeks 2026: What Happens Each Week?
The schedule is not evenly divided. Some weeks have just two teams resting, while others have four or six. Understanding the weekly pattern helps fans prepare for the changing slate of games.
Week 5: Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs
Teams on bye: Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs
The first break arrives in Week 5. Most teams will have played four games by this point, giving coaches an early opportunity to review their progress and make adjustments.
Fantasy managers should plan ahead if their rosters depend on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, or Panthers players. Those players will not contribute points during their teams’ scheduled break.
Week 6: Four teams take a break
Teams on bye: Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings
Week 6 is the first week with four teams off. This means fantasy managers could lose players from several positions at the same time.
Before the season, check which quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends from these teams are on your roster. If your lineup includes multiple Bengals, Lions, Dolphins, or Vikings players, you may need to make several substitutions.
This is also a useful time to evaluate backup players who have been receiving more snaps or touches than expected.
Week 7: Buffalo, Jacksonville, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington
Teams on bye: Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders
Week 7 is another four-team bye week. Managers with players from these franchises should make sure their replacements are available before kickoff deadlines.
Do not wait until Sunday morning to check your lineup. A few early waiver-wire moves can help you avoid having an empty starting position.
For NFL fans who follow these teams closely, Week 7 can also be a good opportunity to review the first half of their schedules and assess how the teams have performed.
Week 8: Four more teams are off
Teams on bye: Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers
Week 8 creates another busy period for fantasy managers. The Texans and 49ers can be particularly important to monitor if your roster includes multiple players from one of these offenses.
The Saints and Giants also have their scheduled break during this week. Check your roster’s team distribution early so that you can identify potential replacement options before other managers claim them.
Week 9: Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans
Teams on bye: Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans
Week 9 has only two teams off, making it one of the smaller bye weeks of the season.
That does not mean every fantasy roster will be unaffected. Managers who rely heavily on Steelers or Titans players still need to prepare. Consider keeping a dependable backup at quarterback or another position if one of your starters is unavailable.
For casual fans, this is a relatively straightforward week: most NFL teams will still be scheduled to play.
Week 10: Four teams are off
Teams on bye: Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 10 is important for managers who have several players from these teams. If you have an Eagles running back, a Bears receiver, a Broncos quarterback, or a Buccaneers tight end, make sure your lineup has a replacement.
Midseason is also a useful time to evaluate your team’s needs. You may have a clearer picture of which players are consistent performers and which ones depend on unpredictable game scripts.
Rather than making a last-minute move, use your roster depth and available free agents to prepare for this break.
Week 11: The busiest bye week of the season
Teams on bye: Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks
Week 11 has six teams off, more than any other week in the 2026 schedule. It is the biggest bye-week challenge for fantasy football managers.
If you roster players from several of these teams, you may need to replace multiple starters at once. Look at your bench before the season starts and avoid building a lineup that leaves too few healthy alternatives for this week.
This is a good example of why bye-week planning matters. A fantasy roster can look strong on paper but become difficult to manage when several important players are unavailable together.
Managers should also consider their league’s waiver rules and transaction limits. In leagues with limited weekly moves, planning well in advance becomes even more valuable.
Week 12: No teams are on bye
All 32 teams are scheduled to play during Week 12. The NFL has no bye week during this part of the season, despite the Thanksgiving holiday period.
Thanksgiving remains a major part of the American football calendar, with games providing a holiday tradition for many fans. Having every team scheduled to play makes Week 12 a useful checkpoint for fantasy managers preparing for the final part of the regular season.
Still, check the official schedule for individual game times and any later changes.
Week 13: Four teams are off
Teams on bye: Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets
Week 13 brings another four-team break. It comes late enough in the season that fantasy managers may be dealing with playoff qualification, injuries, and roster decisions at the same time.
If you have Ravens, Colts, Raiders, or Jets players, identify replacements before your league’s transaction deadlines.
At this stage, prioritize players who are likely to receive steady playing time. Chasing a one-week breakout can sometimes work, but a predictable role is often more useful when you need a reliable starter.
Week 14: Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys
Teams on bye: Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys
Week 14 has the final two teams off. Once this week is complete, every franchise is scheduled to play during Weeks 15 through 18.
The timing matters for fantasy leagues that begin their playoffs around this point. Managers should check their league’s postseason schedule and determine whether any Cowboys or Cardinals players will be unavailable during an important matchup.
The best approach is to prepare before the season reaches its final stretch, rather than hoping to find a replacement after the waiver wire becomes crowded.
How NFL Bye Weeks Affect Fantasy Football
For fantasy football managers, a bye week is one of the most important scheduling details to track. Your real-life team can take a break without losing a game, but your fantasy roster may still need points from every starting position.
Here are five practical ways to manage the schedule.
1. Check bye weeks before your fantasy draft
Do not draft players based only on rankings, projected points, or their real-life team’s popularity. Review when their teams are off, too.
You do not necessarily need to avoid players who share a bye. A strong player can still be worth drafting even if several of your starters are unavailable in the same week. The key is knowing what you are choosing and having a plan for the affected week.
2. Avoid unnecessary panic trades
A bye week is temporary. Players from teams on a scheduled break will return to the lineup the following week, assuming they are healthy and eligible to play.
Trading away a high-value player just because of one unavailable week can weaken your team over the long term. Consider a trade only if it improves your roster beyond the immediate problem.
3. Watch the waiver wire early
Replacement players become more valuable when several teams are off. Look for players with dependable workloads, consistent targets, or opportunities created by injuries and changes in team roles.
You do not need to add every available player. Focus on the positions where your roster has a genuine shortage.
4. Keep a reliable backup quarterback
A backup quarterback can be useful when your starter is on a bye, particularly in leagues that require a quarterback in the lineup.
Compare the available quarterbacks’ recent performances, upcoming matchups, and expected roles. Avoid assuming that a big name will always deliver a strong fantasy score.
5. Plan for your league’s playoff schedule
Late-season byes can become a problem if your league’s fantasy playoffs begin before all teams have completed their breaks.
Check the dates and rules for your specific league. A player’s NFL bye week does not automatically mean that your fantasy team is eliminated or that a roster move is required; it simply means you need to account for the player’s lack of a game that week.
Which 2026 Bye Weeks Are Hardest for Fantasy Managers?
There is no single hardest bye week for every fantasy team. The answer depends on which players you draft, the positions your league requires, and the depth of your bench.
However, the number of teams off provides a useful starting point.
| Bye week | Teams off | Fantasy planning level |
|---|---|---|
| Week 5 | 2 | Lower |
| Week 6 | 4 | Moderate |
| Week 7 | 4 | Moderate |
| Week 8 | 4 | Moderate |
| Week 9 | 2 | Lower |
| Week 10 | 4 | Moderate |
| Week 11 | 6 | Highest potential roster pressure |
| Week 12 | 0 | No bye-related absences |
| Week 13 | 4 | Moderate, depending on playoff timing |
| Week 14 | 2 | Lower, but check playoff schedules |
Week 11 is the most obvious week to prepare for because six franchises are off. But a fantasy manager with no players from those six teams may experience little difficulty, while someone with several players from just two teams could face a serious lineup problem in another week.
That is why your personal roster matters more than the number of teams off alone.
What Is an NFL Bye Week?
An NFL bye week is a scheduled week during the regular season when a team does not play a game.
The league schedules 17 games for each team across an 18-week regular season. One week is therefore left open for each team. The break gives players time to recover from the physical demands of the season and gives coaches an opportunity to review performance, study opponents, and prepare for upcoming games.
Bye weeks are not the same as a team’s offseason. Players remain part of their teams, and the regular season continues for the other franchises.
The NFL schedule is developed by league officials who consider numerous factors, including stadium availability, travel, broadcasting needs, and competitive fairness.
Why does the NFL schedule bye weeks?
The league needs to fit 272 regular-season games into an 18-week schedule while accommodating each team’s home stadium, road trips, broadcast arrangements, and other logistical needs.
Bye-week placement also matters for player recovery. An early break can offer a quick reset but leave a long stretch of games afterward. A later break can help a team recover before the final part of the regular season, although it means the team must play more games before receiving that rest.
Frequently Asked Questions About NFL Bye Weeks
1. When do NFL bye weeks start in 2026?
The first bye weeks are in Week 5. The Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs are the first teams scheduled to take a break.
2. When do NFL bye weeks end in 2026?
The final bye weeks occur in Week 14, when the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys are off. No teams are scheduled to have a bye during Weeks 15 through 18.
3. How many teams have a bye in Week 11?
Six teams have a bye in Week 11: the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, and Seattle Seahawks. It is the largest bye group of the 2026 season.
4. Are any NFL teams on bye in Week 12?
No. All 32 teams are scheduled to play during Week 12. There are no bye weeks that week.
5. Which NFL teams have a Week 5 bye?
The Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs have a Week 5 bye. Fantasy managers should account for players from both teams when building their lineups.
6. Which NFL teams have a Week 10 bye?
The Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off in Week 10.
7. Do NFL teams play during their bye week?
No. A bye week means the team does not have a scheduled regular-season game that week. The team can use the break for recovery, preparation, and other team activities.
8. Does every NFL team get a bye week?
Yes. Each of the 32 NFL teams receives one scheduled bye during the regular season.
9. Do bye weeks affect fantasy football?
Yes. Players on teams with a bye do not play a game that week, so they cannot produce their usual game statistics. Fantasy managers generally need to replace those players with available alternatives.
10. Which week has the fewest teams on bye?
Weeks 1 through 4, Week 12, and Weeks 15 through 18 have no scheduled bye teams. Among the weeks that do have byes, Weeks 5, 9, and 14 each have two teams off.
11. Can an NFL bye week change?
The published schedule is the best reference for planning, but NFL game dates and times can be subject to schedule changes. Check the official NFL schedule for the latest confirmed information before making plans.
12. Where can I find the official 2026 NFL schedule?
The NFL’s official website provides the league schedule, game dates, kickoff times, and other details. You can use it alongside the team-by-team bye list above to plan the season.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the schedule ahead of time makes the NFL season easier to follow, whether you are a casual fan, a dedicated supporter, or a fantasy football manager.
The key points from the nfl bye weeks 2026 schedule are simple: bye weeks begin in Week 5, Week 11 has the largest group of teams off, Week 12 has no byes, and the final breaks take place in Week 14.
Use the alphabetical team list to find your franchise’s break, then review the weekly schedule before setting your fantasy lineup. If you manage a fantasy roster, pay particular attention to Week 11 and any week when multiple starters share a bye.
A little planning can help you avoid empty lineup spots, reduce last-minute roster moves, and enjoy the season with fewer surprises. For any changes to game dates or kickoff times, use the official NFL schedule as your final reference.
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