Kenny Pickett to start Hall of Fame Game for Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have announced that quarterback Kenny Pickett will be the starter for the upcoming Hall of Fame Game. This event marks the beginning of the 2026 preseason schedule. The game is scheduled to take place this week, serving as the first competitive appearance for the team as they prepare for the full preseason cycle. Coverage of this development has been reported across multiple outlets, including WRAL, which explicitly named Pickett as the starter for the contest.

Yahoo Sports also highlighted the transition of the quarterback, noting his previous tenure with the Steelers. Additionally, the Carolina Panthers organization provided the primary documentation for this move by publishing their depth chart, which serves as the official record for player positioning and starting roles heading into the preseason opener. To understand the context of this move, it is necessary to note that Kenny Pickett is a former quarterback for the Steelers. His move to the Panthers roster and his subsequent placement in the starting role for the Hall of Fame Game indicates a shift in his professional trajectory.

The depth chart release is a critical piece of information for observers of the team, as it establishes the hierarchy of the quarterback room and signals the coaching staff's current intentions for player utilization during the early phases of the 2026 campaign. Observers will now monitor the actual performance and outcomes of the Hall of Fame Game this week. Because the team has released the depth chart specifically to start the 2026 preseason, the focus remains on how Pickett integrates into the Panthers' system during this first game. Further updates are expected as the team progresses through the preseason, though the current coverage focuses specifically on the starting lineup for this initial exhibition event.