The NFL season opens in Canton this Thursday, and the Hall of Fame game brings a little bit of everything: a preseason look at the Cardinals and Panthers, plus the sport’s biggest individual honor on the same stage.
Arizona and Carolina meet at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame game, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug.
- The game arrives as both teams try to set the tone early - Arizona under Mike LaFleur, Carolina after winning the NFC South title.
The Hall of Fame weekend also carries its own spotlight. Five players will be inducted on August 6: Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Drew Brees, Roger Craig and Adam Vinatieri.
For fans heading to Canton, tickets are already available. StubHub has Cardinals vs.
Panthers seats on sale now, with last-minute prices starting at $50 for upper and lower level seats. Club passes are listed at $150.
Arizona’s 2026 slate opens on the road against the Chargers on Sun., Sept. 13 at 4:30 p.m. ET, then continues with home games against the Seahawks, Lions, Broncos, Commanders, Eagles, Jets and Raiders, plus trips to the 49ers, Giants, Rams, Cowboys, Seahawks, Chiefs and Saints. The Cardinals’ bye comes in Week 14, and their Week 18 matchup against the 49ers is listed as TBD.
Carolina begins its 2026 schedule at home against the Bears on Sun., Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. ET, then heads to the Falcons and Browns before hosting the Lions in Week 4. The Panthers’ bye falls in Week 5, and their schedule also includes games against the Eagles, Buccaneers, Packers, Broncos, Saints, Ravens, Vikings, Bengals, Steelers and Seahawks, with two late-season matchups still listed as TBD.
In Other News...
Greg Olsen Is Suddenly Part Of A Massive CBS Debate
Tony Romos sudden move to indefinite leave after an arrest for operating while intoxicated has put CBS in a tough spot, and the network has already moved quickly to stabilize its top NFL broadcast team. J.J. Watt has been named as Romos replacement on the No. 1 crew, but the bigger question hanging over the booth is whether CBS wants that arrangement to last.
Greg Olsen has now surfaced as a potential successor if the network decides to make a permanent change, according to a report by John Ourand. For Panthers fans, it is a familiar name in an unfamiliar conversation, and one that could give CBS a former Carolina star a much larger national platform if the broadcast shakeup keeps unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Suddenly Face A Xavier Legette Concern They Didn't Need
The Panthers got a scare in practice when Xavier Legette went down hard on the back of his head and had to be carted off the field with an upper-body injury. He was seen wiggling his fingers before leaving on the cart, and later was able to walk with assistance, which at least offered some immediate encouragement after a frightening scene.
For Carolina, it is the kind of setback it could ill afford this early, especially with Legette working to carve out a bigger role in the offense. Coach Dave Canales is expected to provide more clarity after practice, and until then the team is left waiting to learn how serious the issue is and what it might mean going forward. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Suddenly Have A Familiar Pass Rush Option To Consider
The offseason has already delivered a few notable reunions around the league, with players finding their way back to the teams where they first made their names. Jadeveon Clowney is back with the Texans, Deebo Samuel is once again with the 49ers and Calais Campbell has returned to the Cardinals, a reminder that familiarity can still carry real value when teams are looking for help in a hurry.
For the Panthers, that same logic could make Haason Reddick a name worth circling as they search for more punch off the edge. Carolina has dealt with injuries and uneven production in its pass rush, and Reddick would bring a track record the team already knows well from his previous stop there. Whether the fit makes sense now is the question, but the link is obvious enough to keep watching. [Read more 🡒]