How to Watch the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game: Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears
The NFL is officially back! The 2024 preseason will kick off in less than two weeks, with the annual Hall of Fame Game on August 1st at 8 pm. CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans will collide with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
The Texans are coming off an unexpectedly successful season, where the franchise seemed to have skipped years in their rebuilding process and found themselves in the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
The Bears are heading into the 2024 season with a brand new quarterback and hoping to make the postseason after finishing 2023 last in the NFC North.
Here's everything you need to know about the first preseason game of the 2024 NFL season.
Where to watch the Hall of Fame Game
The 2024 Hall of Fame Game will be aired live on ESPN and ABC. You can watch it on any cable or streaming service that offers ESPN or ABC, or by using an antenna to access a local station broadcasting the game.
Cable and Satellite
The vast majority of cable and satellite packages will ESPN and ABC, which gives you plenty of options. Our go-to suggestions tend to be:
- Cox: $61.00–$152.00/mo.
- DirecTV: $69.99–$159.99/mo
- Dish: $84.99-$114.99
- Verizon Fios: $69.00–$129.00/mo.
Streaming Services
Many people nowadays prefer the flexibility of streaming services, which still give you a wide array of channels to choose from. NFL fans can live stream the game using various providers, including FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV.
- fuboTV: $79.99 per month
- YouTube TV: $72.99 per month.
- Hulu with Live TV: $76.99 per month.
- SlingTV: $55 per month
The good news is that most of these services offer a free trial, which you can coincide with the game to tune in for free. To sign up for these platforms, visit their website or app and create an account, before selecting a subscription plan. Make sure to opt into the free trial. After selecting your plan, provide payment details to activate the trial. Whilst you won't be charged during the free trial, it is important to remember to cancel prior to the end of the free trial to ensure you don't get charged. However, you may enjoy it and wish to continue, in which case, simply don't cancel.
Once you are signed up, download the app on your preferred device, log in, and navigate to the sports section to stream the game live. Then, enjoy!
Follow these links to sign up for streaming services like FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling.
Team Personnel Changes from Last Season
Houston Texans:
The Houston Texans had one of the most successful seasons in the NFL in 2023, finishing with a 10-7 record and clinching a playoff berth for the first time since 2019. However, the franchise had one of the highest roster turnover rates in the entire NFL this offseason.
Only 62.2% of the Texans roster from 2023 has returned this season, including the crucial departures of RB Devin Singletary, DE Johnathan Greenard, DT Sheldon Rankins, and LB Blake Cashman.
Houston filled the void left by those players with huge offseason signings, headlined by players like Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon, who were acquired through trade acquisitions. Stroud and the Texans' offense should come into 2024 with even more firepower than last season, looking to make their second consecutive playoff appearance.
There haven't only been changes to personnel on the field in Houston, with Texans head coach Demeco Ryans beginning his second season at the helm with a new-look coaching staff. The franchise welcomes in five new coaches for the 2024 season, including Bill Davis who will replace Chris Kiffin as linebacker coach, former Colts defensive line coach Nate Ollie to serve as assistant defensive line coach, and former Kentucky offensive line coach Zach Yenser as assistant offensive line coach.
The new-look Texans will have their first opportunity to make a good impression in Canton, Ohio, in just a few weeks as they look to build chemistry before the regular season starts.
Chicago Bears:
The most significant change in Chicago will be at the quarterback position, where the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft Caleb Williams will be put under the nation's spotlight. The rookie Williams will replace former Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March for a 2025 sixth-round pick that could become a fourth-round selection.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner will enter his first NFL season with fellow rookie Rome Odunze, the First-Team All-American WR out of Washington University. He was selected just eight picks after Williams in the 2024 draft.
The Bears elected to sign more weapons for Williams and his offense in free agency, highlighted by their blockbuster trade to acquire 6x Pro-Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen, and the addition of running back D’Andre Swift.
The Bears' front office and coaching staff also saw some changes, with the firing of Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy after just a two-year stint that may have stunted Fields' development and resulted in one of the worst passing offenses in the league in back-to-back years.
Former Seahawks OC Shane Waldron will fill Getsy's shoes. The franchise desperately needs Waldron to turn this offense around after the Bears finished the 2023 season in the bottom half of the league's rankings for total rushing yards, passing yards, and scoring offense.
What is the Hall of Fame Game?
The Hall of Fame Game has taken place almost annually since its inception in 1962 to celebrate the opening of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The game occurs at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (Formally Fawcett Stadium), just a stone's throw from the Hall of Fame museum in Canton, Ohio.
Each year, the Hall of Fame Game includes two NFL franchises with former players who will be inducted into the current year's Hall of Fame class. It takes place one week before other preseason games commence. This year's Hall of Fame class will include former Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson and former Bears players Julius Peppers, Devin Hester, and Steve McMichael.
Not only is the NFL Hall of Fame game the highly anticipated start of another NFL campaign, but also a fantastic tradition of celebrating the game’s greatest players.
NFL Preseason: Key Dates
The NFL preseason will continue the following weekend, with the first full weekend of preseason games featuring all 32 NFL teams beginning on August 8th. While many of the league's top players won't be on the field during preseason, plenty of draft talent will be on display.
One game to keep your eye on will be the New York Jets at Washington Commanders on August 10, at noon, which should showcase the 2023 Heisman trophy winner and rookie quarterback out of LSU, Jayden Daniels, against a stiff Jets defense.
The 2024 preseason will consist of three full weeks of games, ending on August 25, ten days before the start of the regular season on September 5.
Author: Venuse, Inc.