Preseason NFL games generally land only on local TV networks. For example, Bears preseason games are on WFLD FOX-32 with syndication throughout the midwest in a variety of markets (such as St. Louis, South Bend, Springfield, Peoria, Rockford, and Des Moines, to name a few). But there are fans of Chicago’s football team all over the map. And with that in mind, it is worth sharing that at least one Bears preseason game will get some national love.
NFL Network will air the Bears-Chiefs preseason opener live (!) on August 13. Making it one of two Bears preseason games to get a bigger television audience. The team’s Week 2 preseason bout against Seattle will get the MNF treatment (even though it is a Thursday night game … don’t ask).
So, yes, that means Matt Nagy’s return to Chicago will have a national audience. Or, at least an audience of those who have NFL Network. Get your popcorn ready, folks. That one could be fun to keep eyes on (and for more reasons than it being our first opportunity to see the gang back together on the Soldier Field turf). In case you’ve been napping since last December, the Bears fired Matt Nagy (and Ryan Pace) and hired a new coach, general manager, and others to replace them. Recently, Nagy gave his first words since the firing and came off as reflective about his time in Chicago. And ahead of the NFL Draft, Nagy was quite complimentary toward Justin Fields (despite his firing by the Bears just four months earlier):
No, things didn’t end well for Nagy in Chicago. And part of why the Bears said bye in the first place was because of his failures in attempting to develop Fields. In a way, it is refreshing to get the type of commentary from Nagy that is fitting of someone who put in their place since his firing. But that’s not going to matter if Nagy (now the Chiefs’ QBs Coach) steps onto the Soldier Field sideline this August. In other words, you’ll want eyes on that game — if only to witness the crowd reaction to Nagy’s return with your own eyes. At least, I know I’m going to want to be in for that!
Bears-Chiefs is one of 22 preseason games NFL Network will show live this summer. For the rest of that schedule, you’ll want to click here for more details on other games that might pique your interest.