Carolina Panthers Name Starting Quarterback for Preseason Opener

The Carolina Panthers are set to open up the preseason slate by facing off against the Arizona Cardinals in the annual Hall of Fame Game. It will be the first of four preseason games for the Panthers over the next month, as they prepare for the upcoming 2026 NFL season. 

While Dave Canales and his staff are getting a look at the roster early in training camp, these preseason games will be important for evaluations as well. This first one could be huge in terms of players trying to earn roster spots, backups and even at the quarterback position. 

Starter Bryce Young won't play in the game, which has become a standard practice across the league. That allows for Kenny Pickett and Haynes King to get extra reps and prove what they can do. 

But a few days before Thursday's game, the Panthers have decided who will be the start in Canton. 

Canales told reporters on Monday that Pickett will be the starter and will get a few series in the game. From there, they will turn it over to undrafted rookie Haynes King who will get the rest of the game.

"We have a good number of guys that will be helping out early on in the game, just because we don't want to overload any one particular group on our team," Canales said. "We do have practices leading into the game, and we have practices coming out of it, so I felt that with a 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.

"So I'm excited about it, and Kenny is excited as well as the rest of the group, and they've been talking a lot about it."

Pickett is the primary backup for Young at the quarterback position, so getting him reps with guys will be important. But for King, this is a huge opportunity. 

Being an undrafted rookie in the NFL is tough but at the quarterback position its even tougher. Going out there and having a solid showing could help not only boost his confidence but put out good tape in a game.