Every year, NFL fans eagerly await the Hall of Fame Game. This signifies the start of the NFL preseason and really makes it feel like football is back. Prior to the 17-game regular-season schedule, each NFL team played four preseason games with a fifth game for the two teams taking part in the Hall of Fame Game.
This year, the New York Jets will play the Cleveland Browns in Canton Ohio for the 2023 Hall of Fame Game. This game will officially kick off on Thursday, August 3rd at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and the new Hall of Fame class that includes defensive back Ronde Barber, linebacker Chuck Howley, defensive lineman Joe Klecko, cornerback Darrelle Revis, cornerback Ken Riley, offensive tackle Joe Thomas, linebacker Zach Thomas, linebacker/defensive end DeMarcus Ware and coach Don Coryell will be enshrined that weekend.
In the regular season, a battle between the Jets and Browns would be much more interesting than it has been in years past, as this would be a battle that consists of Aaron Rodgers versus Deshaun Watson. However, history suggests that we are unlikely to see many starters participate in this Hall of Fame game. The ones who do will likely only see action in the first couple of series.
The Hall of Fame game marks the start of the preseason, and other games will soon follow roughly one week later. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play three preseason games in 2023. Here's a look at their complete schedule:
- Friday, August 11th - 7:00 PM: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Saturday, August 19th - 6:30 PM: vs Buffalo Bills
- Thursday, August 24th - 7:30 PM: @ Atlanta Falcons
Eight days after the preseason begins with the Hall of Fame game, the Steelers will travel to Tampa Bay for their first preseason game. This contest will be followed by a home preseason game on Saturday evening against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium. Their preseason tour will come to a close after facing their third and final game against the Falcons in Atlanta on August 24th.
The preseason starts on August 3rd and officially comes to an end on Sunday, August 27th. Week 1 if the regular season will kickoff with a matchup between the Lions and Chiefs on Thursday, September 7th at 8:20 p.m. ET on MBC.