What to Know Before Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game
- Jailen Robertson
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
The Carolina Panthers officially kick off their 2026 preseason Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, marking the franchise’s first appearance in Canton since its inaugural 1995 season. While preseason football rarely provides definitive answers, this year’s opener carries added significance.
The game comes during one of the biggest weekends in franchise history as Panthers legend Luke Kuechly prepares to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, giving Carolina fans plenty to celebrate before the regular season even begins.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on NBC, but don’t expect to see Bryce Young or the majority of Carolina’s established starters. Head coach Dave Canales has already confirmed the first-team offense and defense will sit, choosing instead to evaluate depth players and young talent. That includes rookie offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, who will watch from the sidelines.
Instead, all eyes will be on backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, who earned the QB2 role after Andy Dalton was traded to Philadelphia. Thursday marks Pickett’s first opportunity to lead Carolina’s offense in live game action and prove he can be trusted if his number is called during the regular season.
Kenny Pickett Has Something to Prove
Perhaps no Panther has more riding on Thursday than Kenny Pickett.
The former first-round pick enters the season as Bryce Young’s primary backup after beating out Andy Dalton for the QB2 position. While the coaching staff has praised Pickett’s command of the offense throughout camp, preseason games provide the first true measuring stick.
Carolina hopes Young stays healthy all season, but every contender understands the importance of reliable quarterback depth. A composed, efficient performance in Canton would go a long way toward building confidence in Pickett’s ability to step in if needed.
Can Carolina Build on Last Year’s Breakthrough?
The Panthers finally returned to the postseason in 2025, winning the NFC South at 8-9 before pushing the Los Angeles Rams to the brink in a thrilling 34-31 Wild Card loss.
Despite the losing regular-season record, the playoff performance left the organization believing it had found its foundation.
Bryce Young enjoyed the best season of his young career, while rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan immediately became one of the league’s brightest young stars after surpassing 1,000 receiving yards and earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Carolina also strengthened its roster through free agency and another highly regarded draft class, giving the franchise legitimate expectations of defending its NFC South title.
Still, several important questions remain.
Young must continue improving his efficiency as he enters another season under Dave Canales. The offensive line must survive early injuries to Ekwonu and Moton. And the Panthers will need young contributors like Princely Umanmielen, Lee Hunter, Monroe Freeling and Will Lee III to develop faster than originally planned.
Those questions won’t be answered Thursday night.
But the Hall of Fame Game marks the beginning of Carolina’s next chapter—a season where expectations have shifted from simply reaching the playoffs to proving last year’s success wasn’t a fluke.
For the first time in years, the Panthers enter a season believing they belong among the NFC’s rising contenders.
Now comes the hard part: proving it.
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