Panthers and Cardinals kick off 2026 NFL preseason in Hall of Fame Game
The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals will officially open the 2026 NFL season Thursday night when they meet in the annual Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, marking the league’s first preseason contest and the unofficial return of football.
While the outcome won’t count in the standings, the game provides an early look at two franchises entering the season from very different positions. Carolina is trying to build on a surprising playoff appearance, while Arizona begins a new era under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur.
Carolina looks to build momentum
The Panthers finished 8-9 in 2025 but still captured their division title, becoming just the fifth team in NFL history to win a division with a losing record. Despite finishing with a minus-69 point differential, Carolina reached the postseason and now hopes to take another step forward.
The offense returns Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, while the defense received an offseason boost with the additions of Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.
One priority for head coach Dave Canales, however, will be avoiding further injuries. Training camp has already delivered two major setbacks. Rookie pass rusher Nic Scourton suffered a torn ACL on the opening day of camp, while rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II tore his LCL and will miss the entire 2026 season.
New beginning in Arizona
The Cardinals enter the season with a new coaching staff after replacing Jonathan Gannon with former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. The organization also moved on from quarterback Kyler Murray following seven seasons, signaling a significant reset after a 3-14 campaign.
Arizona still has proven talent in tight end Trey McBride, but Thursday’s game will be more about evaluating young players than chasing a victory.
One player fans won’t see is rookie running back Jeremiyah Love. LaFleur confirmed Love will sit out the Hall of Fame Game, preserving him for the remaining three preseason contests.
Love entered the league with enormous expectations after becoming the first running back selected in the top five of the NFL Draft since Saquon Barkley in 2018. During his final two seasons at Notre Dame, he led the FBS with 35 rushing touchdowns and 40 total touchdowns while averaging 114.3 rushing yards per game in his final collegiate season.
Quarterbacks in the spotlight
The biggest storyline on the field could be Arizona’s quarterback situation.
Rookie Carson Beck is expected to make the start after being selected as the third quarterback in the 2026 draft. During his lone season at Miami, Beck completed 72.4 percent of his passes for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while leading the Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Thursday gives him his first opportunity to show how quickly his game translates to the professional level.
On the opposite sideline, Haynes King is another rookie worth watching. The former Georgia Tech quarterback developed a reputation as one of college football’s most dangerous dual-threat players, rushing for 37 touchdowns during his collegiate career. His mobility and competitiveness could make him one of the evening’s most entertaining players once he enters the game.
Young playmakers to watch
Another player to keep an eye on for the Panthers is wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.
The 5-foot-8 receiver out of Colorado caught 11 passes for 108 yards as a rookie last season, but injuries have created an opportunity for a much larger role in 2026. With Brazzell sidelined and Xavier Legette dealing with an injury, Horn has a chance to impress the coaching staff during the preseason.
Thursday’s opener is also the first opportunity for dozens of rookies and young veterans to make an impression before roster decisions begin later this month.
Game information
Date: Thursday, August 6
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET (02:00 CET)
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
TV: NBC
Streaming: fubo, DAZN (with subscription)
Odds: Panthers -1.5, Over/Under 36.5
For fans, the Hall of Fame Game always signals the same thing: football is back. For the Panthers and Cardinals, it also marks the first step toward what both teams hope will be far more successful 2026 campaigns.
