All articles tagged with #hall of fame game
NBC and Peacock averaged 7.0 million viewers for Thursday's Hall of Fame Game (Panthers vs. Cardinals), the most for the event since 2021 and a slight rise from last year, underscoring the NFL's ability to draw large audiences even for preseason games.
The Hall of Fame game between the Panthers and Cardinals in Canton opened the 2026 NFL preseason with 6.99 million viewers on NBC, the largest audience for the HOF game since 2021 and NBC's best since 2017, signaling a rebound in preseason football viewership.
There are no NFL preseason games tonight (Aug. 9); the 2026 preseason kicks off with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, and Week 1 exhibitions run from Aug. 13–15 across NFL Network, ESPN App, Peacock, and other platforms, featuring 16 games among all 32 teams. The article also notes upcoming joint practices and roster cutdowns ahead of Week 1.
Cardinals rookie QB Carson Beck looked calm and precise in the Hall of Fame game against the Panthers, showing pocket patience and a late-developing chemistry with WR Jalen Brooks (who had 99 receiving yards on three catches). Brooks’s 49-yard snag stood out, while Bam Knight impressed with 60 rushing yards and special-teams potential, fueling roster buzz as Chase Bisontis delivered strong OL run blocking. Andrew Billings also stood out on the interior, and coach Mike LaFleur praised the pieces around Beck, highlighting how the performance could influence early roster decisions for the backfield and depth chart.
Mike Tomlin made his NBC Sports debut ahead of the Hall of Fame game between the Panthers and Cardinals, after parting ways with the Steelers following the 2025 season. The 19-year Steelers coach went 193-114-2 with a Super Bowl title and two appearances, and will be a Football Night in America analyst for NBC, where he also interviewed Panthers QB Bryce Young; Tomlin joked about going undefeated in his new broadcasting gig as Mike McCarthy took over Pittsburgh.
Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck starred in the Hall of Fame Game, finishing 15-of-19 for 188 yards with a 96-yard opening drive and a later 60-yard drive, plus long connections to Jalen Brooks. Head coach Mike LaFleur said the performance mirrors what he sees in practice, while Jacoby Brissett remains the starter for now; Beck’s strong preseason play could bolster his case as the quarterback of the future.
Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck looked like the standout player in the Hall of Fame Game, going 15-for-19 for 188 yards and a touchdown and showing poise, touch, and accuracy behind a backup line. Coach Mike LaFleur praised his process and calm approach, noting it was a solid stepping stone despite the game featuring mostly roster-bubble players. Beck’s efficient debut could accelerate his path to a backup role and potentially a future starting opportunity if his development continues, though Jacoby Brissett remains the starter for now.
Undrafted Panthers quarterback Haynes King shined in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, going 21-for-34 for 180 yards with two touchdowns, plus 39 rushing yards and a game-winning TD as time expired, calling it a dream come true to showcase his talent before Hall of Famers; coach Dave Canales lauded the effort.
Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck impressed in the Hall of Fame Game, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown with a 125.4 passer rating in a 33–30 loss to the Panthers, displaying poise, accuracy and smart decision-making that has Arizona optimistic about his long-term potential after his UCL recovery.
Third-string Panthers quarterback Haynes King threw two TDs, added a 5-yard rushing score, and led Carolina to a 33-30 win over the Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game, sealing the victory with the final-play TD.
Haynes King starred in his Panthers debut, accounting for two passing TDs and a late 5-yard rushing TD to lift Carolina to a 33-30 comeback win over Arizona in the Hall of Fame Game, adding 39 rushing yards. Cardinals rookie Carson Beck flashed in his NFL debut, going 10-of-12 for 134 yards with a 35-yard connection to Jalen Brooks and a 5-yard TD to Simi Fehoko before Kedon Slovis entered; Miles Davis provided a 36-yard rush among 50 total Panthers yards from the rookie back as Carolina rallied for the victory.
Rookie quarterback Carson Beck impressed in Arizona's Hall of Fame game, engineering a 96-yard scoring drive on his second possession and finishing 15-of-19 for 188 yards with one touchdown over about 2.5 quarters as the Cardinals lost 33-30.
Cardinals' rookie quarterback Carson Beck went 15-of-19 for 188 yards and a touchdown in two-plus quarters of the Hall of Fame Game against the Panthers, showing solid processing and poise while his arm strength remains a concern as Arizona weighs Beck against Brissett and Minshew for the season.
With starters sitting out the Hall of Fame Game between the Panthers and Cardinals, attention shifts to Arizona’s rookie quarterback Carson Beck and a group of young players vying for roster spots. Beck will start for the Cardinals, while veteran Jacoby Brissett is expected to be Week 1’s starter. CBS Sports highlights a top-10 watch list for the preseason, featuring players such as Zakee Wheatley, Jayden Williams, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Will Lee III, Jared Harrison-Hunte, Jackson Kuwatch, Chase Bisontis, Princely Umanmielen, and Sam Hecht as they push for roles. The game will provide a surface-level early look at both teams’ rosters and serve as a baseline for future depth chart decisions rather than a full offense showcase.
The Arizona Cardinals will kick off the NFL preseason by taking on the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, with rookie quarterback Carson Beck starting for Arizona and Kenny Pickett starting for Carolina (Bryce Young sits out). The game honors Larry Fitzgerald’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction and airs at 5 p.m. MST on NBC/Peacock, with radio coverage on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app; pregame coverage begins at 2 p.m., and Cardinals Talk postgame will follow.