Cardinals Open Post-Murray Era in 2026 Hall of Fame Game
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- Panthers and Cardinals meet Thursday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. ET at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio (NBC), with Carolina installed as a 1.5-point favorite and the over/under at 36.5.
- Arizona Cardinals open a new era under coach Mike LaFleur after firing Jonathan Gannon following a 3-14 season and parting ways with former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray after seven seasons.
- Jeremiyah Love, the Cardinals' rookie running back and first RB drafted in the top five since Saquon Barkley in 2018, will not play Thursday per LaFleur, though his rookie contract includes $50.5 million guaranteed.
- Carson Beck, the third QB taken in the 2026 draft, gets the start under center for Arizona after completing 72.4% of his passes for 3,813 yards, 30 TDs, and 12 INTs in his final season at Miami.
- Carolina Panthers come off an 8-9 campaign that made them just the fifth team in NFL history to win their division with a losing record, but lost pass rusher Nic Scourton (torn ACL) and rookie WR Chris Brazzell II (torn LCL) on the first day of training camp.
- Jimmy Horn Jr., the 5-foot-8, 170-pound Colorado wideout, has an opening to compete for touches in Carolina after Brazzell II's season-ending injury and Xavier Legette's current ailment.
Why it matters: The Cardinals' first game since parting with No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray hands rookie QB Carson Beck an immediate audition, while Carolina's injury-hit roster tests a team that won its division with a losing record — making Thursday's exhibition a real early look at both franchises' new directions.
