Bears preseason schedule announced

The NFL has released it’s preseason schedule. Whether the scheduled games will be played remains to be seen.

Assuming the NFL’s labor stoppage is settled, the Bears and Rams will kick off the NFL’s preseason by meeting in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, at 7 p.m. (CST) on Aug. 7, the day after former Bears’ defensive end Richard Dent and ex-Rams’ running back Marshall Faulk are inducted.

Teams participating in the Hall of Fame game are typically allowed to start training camp one week earlier than other teams.

Ticket prices range from $50-$70. Ticket buyers will receive refunds if the game is not played as scheduled.

“We’ve had an opportunity to play in the Hall of Fame Game before,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said earlier this month. “We enjoyed that experience. This past time was the third time for me to be in that game. Whatever the schedule says I’m excited about.”

The Bears will play a second nationally televised preseason game when they meet the New York Giants on “Monday Night Football” on Aug. 22 at New Meadowlands Stadium, which should serve as a measuring stick for the team’s offensive line. The Giants set an NFL record by sacking Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler nine times in the first half of a 17-3 loss last season.

The Buffalo Bills will visit Soldier Field on Aug. 11-14 while the Bears will visit the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 25-28. The team’s preseason finale will come against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 1-4. Exact dates and times have not been announced.