Last Thursday's Hall of Fame Game drew an estimated <a href=" million viewers, which is quite the audience for an exhibition, albeit one between two 2024 playoff teams. That impressive figure serves as proof that fans are hungry for the NFL's return,

What we have Thursday night is the Hall of Fame Game, which might just be the most wasteful use of a cool name in pro sports. "Hall of Fame Game" gives the impression of something a lot better than the product on the field ever turns out to be. It sounds a lot more important than it actually is.

The first week of the NFL preseason features all 32 teams in action, but not all stars will suit up. Here's what to know.