Cardinals, Panthers kickoff Hall of Fame Game

The NFL preseason begins Thursday night with the Arizona Cardinals facing the Carolina Panthers in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The game is set for 8 p.m. ET at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and will air on NBC and Peacock. The annual opener is part of Hall of Fame weekend, which the Pro Football Hall of Fame says starts the league’s 107th season. (nbc.com) This year’s matchup also ties directly to the weekend’s setting, with former Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly among the headliners linked to the two franchises in Canton. (nfl.com) ### Why are these two teams in Canton this year? (nbc.com) The Pro Football Hall of Fame said Arizona and Carolina were selected for the Thursday showcase that opens enshrinement weekend in Canton. The Cardinals are making their sixth Hall of Fame Game appearance and their first since 2017, while the Panthers are back in the event as Hall of Fame festivities begin around the Class of 2026. Yahoo Sports and other preview coverage said the game arrives as the first live NFL action since February’s Super Bowl. The Hall of Fame Game does not count in the standings, but it functions as the league’s first preseason test and gives both teams an extra exhibition date. (nbc.com) ### Why is Kenny Pickett one of the main storylines? Panthers coach Dave Canales said earlier this week that Kenny Pickett will start at quarterback for Carolina. NBC Sports reported Canales said he was not yet sure how much Pickett would play, adding that Carolina would rotate players to avoid overloading one group during a week that still includes practices before and after the game. (nbcsports.com) NFL.com framed Pickett as a focal point because Carolina is using the game to evaluate its quarterback depth chart. Its preview said one of the main questions is whether Pickett can strengthen his standing as the Panthers’ No. 2 quarterback. (sports.yahoo.com) ### Why is Arizona starting Carson Beck? USA Today and other preview reports said Arizona has named Carson Beck as its starting quarterback for the opener. That makes the rookie one of the first players under close watch Thursday night, even in a game where starters and front-line veterans are expected to have limited roles. (nbcsports.com) CBS Sports and related previews identified Beck as one of the most notable players in the game because the Cardinals are using the preseason opener to get him live snaps. USA Today reported Beck said he was preparing for the opportunity as Arizona opens preseason play in Canton. (nfl.com) ### What else are teams trying to get out of this game? The Hall of Fame Game is usually about evaluations more than results, and that is true again this year. NFL.com listed roster battles and early depth-chart questions among the main reasons to watch, while local and national previews have pointed to limited workloads for many established players. (usatoday.com) USA Today reported Arizona has used the extra preseason week and added camp time to work on chemistry. That gives the Cardinals one more live setting before the rest of the league begins its preseason schedule in the coming days. (usatoday.com) ### Where can viewers watch, and what comes next? NBC said Thursday’s game will be shown nationally on NBC and streamed on Peacock. The Pro Football Hall of Fame said the game is part of a weekend of events in Canton tied to the 2026 induction class. Thursday’s kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. (nfl.com) ET in Canton, with Pickett opening for Carolina and Beck opening for Arizona. Hall of Fame weekend then continues in Ohio with the Class of 2026 festivities centered around the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (nbc.com) (usatoday.com)