Kenny Pickett Will Start Over Bryce Young in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game As the Panthers Face the Cardinals in Canton, Ohio

Kenny Pickett will start over Bryce Young in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game as the Panthers face the Cardinals in Canton, Ohio. It's the first live NFL action in months, with preseason games starting a week later and the 2026 season kicking off Sept. 9. The exhibition honors new Hall of Famers Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly.

Pickett, the 20th overall pick in 2022, had two rough seasons with the Steelers, then spent 2024 with the Eagles and 2025 with the Raiders, where he completed 28 of 45 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in two starts. He's now competing with rookie Haynes King for the backup job behind Young, who threw for a career-high 3,011 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2025. Carolina has exercised Young's fifth-year option through 2027. Thursday's game offers an early look at depth pieces and Pickett's fit as QB2.