A historic return to Canton
The Carolina Panthers will open their 2026 preseason slate in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, meeting the Arizona Cardinals on August 6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The matchup marks the franchise’s first appearance in the exhibition since 1995, when they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett is slated to start for Carolina, with Haynes King listed as his backup. Across the field, the Cardinals will rely on rookie Carson Beck, the third‑overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, to make his debut.
The Panthers enter camp shorthanded, missing several key contributors on the offensive line. Taylor Moton and Ikem Ewonu are both listed as questionable, while Saahdiq Charles was placed on injured reserve after a calf issue on August 5. The depth concerns could test the team’s early chemistry.
Adding to the story, former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame on August 8, joining a select group of players inducted at the age of 35. Kuechly, a five‑time First‑Team All‑Pro and 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year, finished his career with more than 1,000 combined tackles.
The preseason schedule also includes a game against the Buffalo Bills on August 15, giving the Panthers an extra chance to fine‑tune before the regular season. Pickett’s previous stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he completed 62 percent of his passes for 4,474 yards and 13 touchdowns, adds a narrative of experience facing a young Cardinals quarterback.
While the Hall of Fame Game traditionally serves as a showcase for emerging talent, this year’s edition carries added weight for the Panthers, who are looking to build around a revamped offensive line and a defense that still bears the imprint of Kuechly’s legacy.