Panthers vs. Cardinals: Everything to Know About the Hall of Fame Game

Football is back.

And for the rest of the year, Thursday night football is part of our reality every week. The watchability of said programming, as per usual, might fluctuate.

The NFL preseason begins with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night in Canton, Ohio, the opening to the exhibition season and the start of a weekend of celebration for the Panthers and Cardinals.

Barring direct relation for Chargers backup Trey Lance, you probably forgot the 2025 PFHOF Game, when the Chargers scored two quick touchdowns and devoured the Lions, 34-7. Lance had two TD passes and Kimani Vidal scored a pair for LA.

Maybe a memorable NFL preseason opener awaits this time around.

Here's everything you need to know about the '26 HOF Game:

Matchup: Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals

• Date/Time: Thursday, August 6, 8 p.m. ET
• Site: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
• Odds: Panthers -1.5 (-102, DraftKings), Total 35.5 (over is -112 at FanDuel)
• TV: NBC
• Stream: Peacock, NFL+, Fubo

Two franchise pillars are being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald spent his entire 18-year NFL career with the Cardinals and Luke Kuechly also played his full pro career with one team — the Panthers. They are headliners in a five-player class set to be enshrined in a Sunday afternoon ceremony. Saints and Chargers quarterback Drew Brees, 49ers running back Roger Craig and prolific Patriots and Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri are also in the Class of 2026.

Preseason customs often bring atypical lineups to the playing field. That will be the case Thursday night, with Panthers coach Dave Canales all but avoiding first-string players and Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur, coaching in his first NFL game since taking over, won't put his key players at risk, either. LaFleur, the brother of Packers coach Matt LaFleur and formerly Rams offensive coordinator, has a QB competition to sort out before the regular season begins in four weeks.

He does plan to give rookie Carson Beck reps with the offense but first-round rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will not suit up.

Beck, Gardner Minshew and incumbent starter Jacoby Brissett are vying for the QB1 job. The Cardinals released Kyler Murray, the former No. 1 overall pick who sat out the second half of last season with a foot injury that pushed Brissett into the starting role.