The Carolina Panthers will take on the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night, a matchup that will see most of Carolina’s key players sit out. Head coach Dave Canales confirmed that backup quarterback Kenny Pickett will start the game, though he was not certain how much time Pickett would actually see on the field.
“We have a good number of guys that will be helping out early in the game—just because we don’t want to overload any one particular group on our team,” Canales told reporters. “We do have practices leading into the game and we have practices coming out of it. So, I felt that with the number of guys being out there, being able to take a couple of series will really help the whole group. And, we just need the football.” He added that both Pickett and the rest of the squad were excited about the opportunity.
In line with the tradition of the Hall of Fame Game, no starters are expected to play. “Yeah, no starters,” Canales said. “There are some competition battles for starting positions where guys will have an opportunity to play a little bit. But some of the guys we’re expecting to be out there right off the bat, I think we won’t play those guys in this game.” This includes rookie offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, who will also be on the sidelines.
At quarterback, rookie Haynes King is slated to take reps after Pickett departs, while starter Bryce Young is not in line to play. The Panthers will use the game to give younger players a taste of NFL action and to evaluate depth at key positions.
The game will be broadcast Thursday night at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC and Peacock, offering fans a chance to see the Panthers’ emerging talent in a low‑stakes environment. The matchup also provides a preview of the Panthers’ roster depth as they prepare for the regular season, while the Cardinals will use the game to assess their own young players.
With the Hall of Fame Game’s emphasis on player development, the Panthers’ coaching staff is focused on giving a broad group of players a chance to contribute without overloading any single unit. The decision to keep starters out aligns with the event’s tradition of showcasing depth and giving prospects a platform to prove themselves.
As the Panthers head into the game, the focus remains on player growth and team cohesion rather than a competitive win. The outcome of the game will likely have little impact on the standings, but it will provide valuable experience for the Panthers’ younger roster and a preview of how the team might handle depth challenges in the weeks ahead.
