The exhibition was halted with 3:31 left in the third quarter after a 36-minute delay due to lightning and heavy rain.
Initially, the focus was on the NFL’s revamped kickoff rules, designed to revive the play after a record-low number of returns last season. Despite the changes, none of the eight kickoffs were returned past the 32-yard line. Three returns reached the 26-yard line, which is just a yard beyond the old touchback spot, and one touchback came out to the 30.
Tyson Bagent started for Williams, the top draft pick with high expectations in Chicago, while Davis Mills filled in for Stroud, the 2023 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Rypien completed 11 of 15 passes for 166 yards, with touchdown throws of 20 and 9 yards to Collin Johnson and 22 yards to Tommy Sweeney. Entering camp as the third-string QB, Rypien made a strong case for himself.
Mills, who had a 5-19-1 record as a starter before Stroud’s arrival, went 10 of 13 for 102 yards and a 9-yard touchdown pass to Teagan Quitoriano on the opening drive.
Veteran Case Keenum threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Cam Akers to give the Texans a 17-7 lead late in the second quarter.
Rypien then orchestrated a 72-yard drive in 58 seconds just before halftime, with a touchdown pass to Sweeney narrowing the score to 17-14. He later gave the Bears the lead with a 9-yard pass to Johnson in the third quarter.
In kickoff returns, Houston’s Steven Sims ran 21 yards from the 5-yard line to the 26, while Chicago’s Tyler Scott returned a kickoff from the 7-yard line to the 26. On a subsequent kickoff, Scott chose to return from one yard deep in the end zone but was tackled at the 20. The Bears were penalized for an early move, but the Texans declined the penalty.
Last season, the Texans made a dramatic turnaround to win the AFC South under rookie Coach DeMeco Ryans, with Stroud and Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. leading the way. Houston finished with 11 wins and reached the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Bears, having made significant offseason changes, including selecting Williams and adding wide receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth pick, hope to improve on their 7-10 record and make the playoffs.