Panthers favored over Cardinals in 2026 Hall of Fame preseason game
The Carolina Panthers will face the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 6 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, with odds favoring the Panthers.
The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game will be played on Thursday, Aug. 6, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, featuring the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals. The matchup honors Hall of Fame inductees Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald, who are part of the Class of 2026.
Both teams will field non-starters, as is customary for the preseason opener. Carolina will start quarterback Kenny Pickett, while Arizona plans to give third-string rookie Carson Beck the first-half snaps. Pickett, a first-round pick in 2022, has a 16-11 record as a starter, whereas Beck was selected in the third round.
Panthers head coach Frank Canales enters his third season, retaining the same offensive and defensive coordinators from the previous two years. Arizona will be led by rookie head coach Mike LaFleur, who is in his first year. Analysts note that the Panthers' continuity and quarterback experience give them a perceived edge.
Betting markets have listed the Panthers as slight favorites, with a moneyline of –121 on the Kalshi platform. A prediction from a sports-betting commentator forecasts a 24-17 win for Carolina.
"Both teams will be playing guys who may or may not make the regular-season roster," the commentator said.
Injuries have affected depth for both clubs; the Panthers have lost defensive end Nic Scourton and rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II to season-ending injuries during training camp, though neither player is expected to appear in Thursday's game.