NEWSLETTER
Even in the preseason, the NFL schedule makers sure know how to grab our attention.
Mark your calendars for August 1, which is when the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans will play in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. Two days later, we’ll see Devin Hester, Steve “Mongo” McMichael, and Julius Peppers enshrined into Hall of Fame. As will Andre Johnson, who is the first-ever Texans player to make it to the Hall. Joining that awesome foursome are Dwight Freeney, Patrick Willis, and Randy Gradishar. It is a strong Hall of Fame class, no doubt. And I’m glad the Bears are going to be a part of the festivities.
HALL OF FAME HIGHLIGHTS: Devin Hester
The Bears last played in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in 2018. That is when Brian Urlacher went into the Hall. While I didn’t attend the game, I was in Canton for the enshrinement fun. And I can only begin describing how much of a treat that was for me and my fellow Bears fans who were in attendance. I strongly recommend a trip to Canton if you can swing it. The juice will be worth the squeeze.
Obviously, the Hall of Fame connection is top of mind. And yet, I can’t shake one loose thought.
Bears vs. Texans Hall of Fame Game is an NFL script-writer’s dream
If the Chicago Bears do what almost every mock draft suggests and take USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, then the Caleb Williams Era will begin in the shadow of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. WUT!? That is the type of thing you’d draw up in a movie script that would get shot down by an overzealous editor. Imagine the humble beginnings of a Hall of Fame career starting with a preseason exhibition in Canton. You can’t script it — unless you’re the NFL, of course.
It always made sense for the Bears to be one of the teams playing in the annual preseason lid-lifter. They have multiple legends going into the Hall of Fame and are one of the most represented teams in the Hall. As for their opponent, the Texans, they’re about to have their first inductee make it into the Hall of Fame. So that makes sense, too. I guess Ed Reed technically counts as a Texans Hall of Fame. But let’s be honest with each other. No one thinks of the seven-game stint he had in Houston in 2013. And there is probably a non-zero number of you who are only now realizing that Reed was briefly a Texan.
But it makes even more sense to put those two teams in the Hall of Fame game when you can pit C.J. Stroud (who the Texans drafted second overall in 2023 after the Bears traded out of the No. 1 spot) against Caleb Williams (who the Bears will presumably take in next month’s draft). Even if it is just for a series, the possibility of getting a glimpse at this matchup would be a treat.
And if you want more, then don’t worry. The Bears are scheduled to play the Texans in a regular-season game on the road in Houston later in 2024. Hopefully, everyone’s health holds up and we can get that game at its fullest potential at some point this season.
