The arrival of August brings the highly anticipated return of football. On Thursday, the NFL exhibition season officially kicks off in Canton, Ohio. The Carolina Panthers face off against the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and there are a few Panthers players to watch for this game that are trying to make the roster or hold on to their spot on the depth chart.
Head coach Dave Canales has already confirmed that key starters will sit out for this extra exhibition matchup. While names like Bryce Young will watch from the sideline, this opening game offers a massive platform for developmental talent, depth pieces, and rookies fighting for a roster spot.
Identifying the right personnel is key to evaluating training camp progress. For fans looking closely at the depth chart, here are three essential Panthers players to watch during the 2026 Hall of Fame Game.
Carolina Panthers Players to Watch in the Hall of Fame Game
1. Kenny Pickett (Quarterback)
With the coaching staff electing to preserve Young, veteran backup Kenny Pickett will draw the start under center. The former first-round pick is entering a critical juncture of his NFL career. Running the offense in the preseason opener gives Pickett a major opportunity to establish his rhythm. He needs to display complete mastery of Canales’ playbook.
Pickett’s main objective is to establish efficiency right from the opening whistle. He will likely operate with a temporary offensive line, meaning his pre-snap reads and quick release must be precise to counter the Cardinals’ early defensive pressure.
While Young is locked in as the unquestioned starter, a dependable backup quarterback is mandatory in the modern NFL. A commanding performance by Pickett will stabilize the position. It reassures the front office that the offense remains in safe hands if an emergency arises during the regular season. Pickett is certainly one of the most important Panthers players to watch on Thursday.
2. Haynes King (Quarterback)
Once Pickett finishes his night, undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King is expected to handle a massive workload in the second half. King enters the professional ranks as an explosive, dual-threat weapon. His unique athletic traits bring a completely different dimension to the backfield and King should be one of the most entertaining Panthers players to watch this week.
Preseason second halves are notoriously unpredictable. King will have to showcase real poise while playing alongside late-roster wideouts and reserve blockers. King leads all game participants with a 29 percent projected probability to score a touchdown, highlighting his dangerous scrambling ability. However, he will need to remain composed inside the pocket rather than relying solely on his scrambling instincts and prove he can deliver accurate passes on third down.
King is looking to put enough quality tape together to lock down a developmental spot on the practice squad. A dominant performance could even force management to consider keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster.
3. Ja’seem Reed (Wide Receiver)
Wide receiver Ja’seem Reed is one of the most crucial Panthers players to watch during the Hall of Fame Game due to a perfect storm of roster opportunities and his explosive training camp performance.
With teammate Chris Brazzell sidelined for the season and Xavier Legette dealing with a camp injury, the Panthers’ depth chart has opened up for the time being. Reed, a standout from the 2025 practice squad, has seized his moment, routinely drawing praise for his crisp route-running and ability to create immediate separation at the top of his routes.
Canales has specifically noted that Reed is taking the “next step” in his development, fueled heavily by an undeniable on-field chemistry with King, who will likely get the majority of the snaps at quarterback on Thursday. Because key starters will be resting, this game serves as Reed’s prime audition to solidify a permanent spot on the 53-man roster. Facing a Cardinals defense provides the ideal stage to see if his spectacular summer camp momentum translates inot in-game success.
Main Image: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
