Kenny Pickett to Start Hall of Fame Game as Panthers Begin New Era Under Dave Canales

The NFL preseason kicks off Thursday night in Canton, Ohio, with a Hall of Fame Game that signals a new beginning for the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Dave Canales announced Monday that backup quarterback Kenny Pickett will start against the Arizona Cardinals on August 6, while franchise quarterback Bryce Young sits out the exhibition opener.

The decision to start Pickett—acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason—reflects Canales' conservative approach to protecting his key starters. No Panthers starters will play in the game, including first-round offensive lineman Monroe Freeling, who's nursing an injury.

"Kenny will start the game off," Canales confirmed at Monday's training camp session. Rookie Haynes King will relieve Pickett during the contest, giving the coaching staff an extended look at the quarterback depth chart before the regular season begins.

Panthers Embrace Patience With Young

For Young, the 2023 first overall pick, sitting out the Hall of Fame Game represents a stark contrast to last season's baptism by fire. The former Alabama star struggled through a difficult rookie campaign, throwing 11 touchdowns against 10 interceptions while the Panthers stumbled to a league-worst record.

Canales, hired away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator position, has preached patience and development throughout training camp. By holding Young out of the preseason opener, he's signaling a commitment to protecting his young quarterback's confidence rather than exposing him to unnecessary contact in a meaningless game.

Pickett brings seven years of NFL experience to the backup role. The former Pitt star won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2021 and was named ACC Athlete of the Year before Pittsburgh selected him in the first round of the 2022 draft. His veteran presence provides insurance and mentorship for Young as the Panthers attempt to rebuild around their franchise quarterback.

Cardinals Counter With Jacoby Brissett

On the opposite sideline, the Cardinals will deploy their own veteran presence under center. Jacoby Brissett signed a reworked one-year, 15 million dollar deal in late July and is expected to open the 2026 season as Arizona's Week 1 starter.

Brissett took over as the Cardinals' starter for the final 12 games of 2025 after Kyler Murray suffered a season-ending foot injury. Murray has since moved to the Minnesota Vikings in free agency, leaving Brissett to lead an Arizona offense that ranked first in the NFL in pass attempts last season.

The Cardinals drafted Carson Beck in the third round to compete for the starting job, but Brissett's experience and familiarity with the offense have positioned him as the favorite entering camp. Like the Panthers, Arizona views Thursday's Hall of Fame Game as an opportunity to evaluate roster depth rather than showcase starting talent.

Canton Tradition Continues

The Hall of Fame Game marks the sixth trip to Canton for the Cardinals franchise, which holds a 1-3-1 record in previous appearances. For the Panthers, the exhibition represents the start of Canales' tenure as head coach—a clean slate after years of organizational turmoil.

Canales made headlines during camp by announcing he won't call offensive plays this season, delegating that responsibility to allow him to focus on broader team management. That decision, combined with his protective approach to Young's development, suggests a coaching philosophy built on delegation and long-term thinking rather than immediate results.

Thursday's kickoff at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is scheduled for 8:00 PM Eastern on NBC and Peacock. While most starters will watch from the sidelines, the game offers the first live look at two franchises attempting to rebuild after disappointing 2025 campaigns.

For Pickett, the start represents a chance to prove he can still compete for a starting role somewhere in the league. For Brissett, it's another chapter in a journeyman career that has now touched six NFL franchises. And for both the Panthers and Cardinals, it's the first small step in what they hope will be long journeys back to relevance.