Texans to play Bears in Hall of Fame game

ORLANDO, Fla. -- For the first time in the history of the franchise, the Texans have been selected to play in the Hall of Fame game.

The Texans will open the NFL preseason Aug. 1against the Chicago Bears in Canton, Ohio at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

The Texans, the defending AFC South champions, will play the Bears as retired Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Johnson is the first Texans player to be selected to the Hall of Fame. Two days after the game, Johnson will be enshrined in Canton. The Texans will be the visitors, and the Bears will be the home team.

“It’s exciting playing in the Hall of Fame game,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said at the NFL owners meetings. “I think the credit goes to Andre Johnson for him getting selected, the first Texan to be selected to into the Hall of Fame. For us to go up as a team to support Andre in the Hall of Fame game, the first time as an organization playing in the Hall of Fame game, I think it’s exciting to really kick off the 2024 season with our team being in the forefront.”

Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair said it’s an honor for the AFC South franchise to be selected.

“It’s quite an honor,” Cal McNair said. “To go play the game with Andre, it’s going to be real special this year.”

“I think it’s a lot of fun, especially because we have Andre going in, so it’s going to be a week of celebrations,” foundation vice president Hannah McNair said. “Getting to have the Hall of Fame with one of his former teammates there coaching is special.”

Tickets go on sale for the game and the Hall of Fame ceremony go on sale April 12 at www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement.

“This game features two teams that finished the 2023 season strong and have key pieces in place for 2024,” Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said. “Bears fans have always supported their Hall of Famers, and they can welcome three more who will be enshrined in Canton this year, while Texans fans can see the franchise’s first Hall of Famer up closer as part of the game and Enshrinement Weekend. The Pro Football Hall of Fame could not be any more excited about this year’s matchup, and this year’s class.”