Fooch's update: Here's the full schedule.
Fooch's update #2: Panthers beat writer Joe Person saying 49ers-Panthers in Carolina likely for September 18, Carolina home opener.
Fooch's update: Darryl Slater of NJ.com is reporting the 49ers will host the Jets on December 11.
The 2016 NFL schedule will be released at 5 p.m. PT, but rumors are already starting to come in. I'm hearing from a source that the San Francisco 49ers will travel to face the Los Angeles Rams Week 16 on Christmas Eve, and then close out the season at home against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17. If that Christmas Eve game holds up, that's a Saturday, which would likely mean it will be nationally televised.
The 49ers face a fairly tough schedule this year. The 2015 strength of schedule figure we are hearing has them having the toughest schedule, tied with the Falcons. Plenty will change for a lot of teams, but their 2015 opponents include a lot of teams moving in the right direction. As you can see in this list, even the bad teams from 2015 have something to look forward to in 2016. It won't be an easy run for the 49ers, no matter what happens with Chip Kelly and this offense.
Home opponents: Arizona, Los Angeles, Seattle, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, New England, NY Jets, Dallas
Away opponents: Arizona, Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, Carolina, Buffalo, Miami, Chicago
Other rumors: It also sounds like the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers will have their Super Bowl rematch on the Thursday NFL kickoff game. Week 1 is also expected to include the Jets hosting the Bengals, and Washington hosting the Steelers on Monday Night Football. The Packers are expected to travel to face the Bears in Week 15.