The exhibition slate is the only thing standing between NFL fans and the long-awaited 2024 regular season. So, without further ado, let’s go ahead and get the 2024 NFL preseason underway.
On what channel is the 2024 Hall of Fame Game airing tonight? Here’s everything you need to know, including the start time and live stream options for tonight’s NFL game.
What Channel Airs the Hall of Fame Game Tonight?
While NBC has had the broadcasting rights to the Hall of Fame Game since 2006, their coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will force them to hand the responsibilities over to another network.
Consequently, ESPN will air the NFL Hall of Fame Game for the first time in its 52-year history. They will have a dual cast on ABC and multiple options to live stream the first matchup of the 2024 preseason.
Here’s the rest of the information needed to watch the NFL’s opening preseason game tonight.
Houston Texans at Chicago Bears
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN, ABC
- Live stream options: Hulu + Live TV, ESPN+, ESPN App
Is Texans QB C.J. Stroud Playing Tonight?
While Texans fans are eager to see Stroud back in action, he will not be making his debut during the Hall of Fame game. Where some franchises give the media and fans a heads-up beforehand, second-year HC DeMeco Ryans was not as forthcoming.
“With this first preseason game being an extra game for us, we’re really looking to see most of our young guys get out and compete and see if they can take the things we’ve been teaching them daily from the field and take it and show up when the lights are on,” Ryans said. “That’s the main thing you’ll see in this first Hall of Fame game. You’ll see a lot of young guys, who are vying for a spot to make it in the NFL. It will be great to see those guys go out and compete.”
With Stroud not playing, Davis Mills should get the nod as he fights off Case Keenum and Tim Boyle for the backup QB spot. More details can be found in our Texans QB Depth Chart breakdown.
Is Bears QB Caleb Williams Playing Tonight?
Earlier this week, Williams told reporters, “I would love to get out there and play. It’s pretty awesome to be at Canton, but it’s the coach’s decision.
“I always think there’s more pros than cons in anything, especially for a young guy like myself. The reps are always paramount for anybody like myself, a young rookie, a second-year guy, a third-year guy, it’s paramount. It’s really important and we’ll see about these preseason games coming, how they will play out.”
Unfortunately for Bears and NFL fans, though, everyone must wait at least one more week to see Williams’ NFL debut.
On Tuesday, Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that Williams and the other Bears starters would sit for the Hall of Fame Game. While not surprising — coaches don’t want to risk injury to their star players, especially with an extra preseason game for the Bears and Texans — fans are anxious to see the quarterback’s first NFL action.
This means second-year quarterback Tyson Bagent will start for Chicago tonight. Bagent played in five games last year when Justin Fields went down with a dislocated thumb. He will compete against Brett Rypien and Austin Reed for the backup quarterback position. More details can be found in our Bears QB Depth Chart breakdown.
What To Expect From the Hall of Fame Game
While the team selection is tied to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024, the Hall of Fame Game showcases two franchises that appear to be on an upward trajectory as the Houston Texans take on the Chicago Bears.
After six seasons with the franchise, Texans head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien was fired in 2020 after an 0-4 start to the season. While Romeo Crennel took over to finish the year, he would not be retained as head coach.
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The Texans then hired David Culley, who was dismissed and replaced by Lovie Smith following a 4-13 record in 2021. Smith’s own tenure ended after one year, being shown the door after leading Houston to a 3-13-1 record in 2022.
However, the hiring of former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans felt different. Houston invested in the highly respected coordinator, allowing him the flexibility to build a team among the existing building blocks at his disposal.
After selecting C.J. Stroud second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft (among other moves), the Texans went 10-7 and won the AFC South. With continuing roster development and further investment, the Texans continue to elevate their championship potential.
Meanwhile, Chicago is hoping to do the same after its most recent draft haul. Will 2024 first overall pick QB Caleb Williams be ready to step into the Bears’ offense and take it to the next level?
It’s important to remember that the Bears traded for the 2024 first overall pick with the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Chicago won seven games last season, including two with Tyson Bagent under center; this is not a bad team.
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Not only did they take Williams first overall, but they subsequently drafted WR Rome Odunze ninth overall, traded for WR Keenan Allen, and signed RB D’Andre Swift and safety Kevin Byard in free agency, among many other moves that fueled this squad’s growth.
Will the Bears be able to make some noise in a very competitive NFC North? It all starts tonight.
