Hall of Fame Game as ‘unbelievable honor’ for Cleveland Browns

On Mar 1, 2023

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski watches as his team plays against the New York Jets during the first half, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Cleveland.

INDIANAPOLIS — Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week will be a celebration of the Browns. The Browns past and present.

The Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday the Browns would play the New York Jets in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. and be televised nationally by NBC.

Two days later, on Aug. 5, former Browns left tackle Joe Thomas will be enshrined as part of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. Two former Jets ― Joe Klecko and Darrelle Revis — are also a part of the soon-to-be-enshrined class.

“I think we’re very fortunate to be able to play in that game,” coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. “It’s an unbelievable honor to be able to do. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate Joe’s career. So, that part we’re excited about, heading down to Canton. I’ve done it before when I was with the Vikings.”

It’s the Browns’ first appearance in the game since 1999, when they played the Dallas Cowboys in the first game of the franchise’s rebirth. The Browns are 2-3 all-time in the event.

The Hall of Fame game has always been an additional preseason game on top of whatever is the normal number of exhibitions for a team. The last time the Browns played in the game, it was one of five preseason games for them.

This time, it will be the first of four preseason games. That forces an adjustment to the schedule, not just for training camp, but also the offseason program.

“We’ll end our offseason program early in June and then go back a week early in July,” Stefanski said. “So we’ll start a little bit earlier, and then get the team ready for the season.”

Last year, the Browns ended the offseason program with the third of three minicamp days on June 16. They then had rookies report on July 22, with the first full-team practice on July 27.