Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers are preparing for the 2026 NFL season after finishing 8-9 last season and winning the NFC South for the first time since 2015. The Panthers' season came to an end at the hands of 2025 MVP Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, as they were defeated 34-31 in the first round of the NFC wild-card playoffs.
After facing early career struggles, Young solidified himself as the starting quarterback with his play last season. The 5-foot-10 quarterback set career highs in passing yards (3,011), completion percentage (63.6%), touchdowns (23) and passer rating (87.8), while also taking the fewest sacks of his career (27).
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With veteran quarterback Andy Dalton gone, the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kenny Pickett, and former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets standout Haynes King are all that remain as backups behind the 25-year-old. Although Young is the confirmed starter for the 2026 regular season, head coach Dave Canales has made a decision regarding the Pennsylvania native before the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.
On Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Young will not play in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals. Pickett will get the chance to start the matchup. Pickett spent two seasons with Pittsburgh before he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. He was then traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2025 before being shipped to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Pickett appeared in six games last season for Las Vegas, passing for 188 yards with a 62.2% completion percentage, along with one touchdown and two interceptions.
"Panthers QB Kenny Pickett will start Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game," Schefter wrote on Instagram. "Vs. the Cardinals."
Carolina will face Arizona in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
