March 2, 2026, 5:36 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Carolina Panthers<\/a> may be (unofficially) kicking off the 2026 season.<\/p>\n According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the Panthers are a “strong candidate<\/a>” to play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game this summer. Their presence in Canton, Ohio would coincide with the enshrinement of former linebacker and franchise legend Luke Kuechly, who was named<\/a> to the Hall of Fame’s latest class in February.<\/p>\n The Hall of Fame game, the very first exhibition of every NFL preseason, has been played since 1962. The contest is held on the weekend of induction ceremonies, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in the Hall of Fame Village.<\/p>\n Carolina has appeared in the game once before, back in their inaugural season of 1995. That outing saw the Panthers top the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a>, who were also in their first year, in a 20-14 victory.<\/p>\n Kuechly, a nearby native of Cincinnati, Ohio, was voted into the Hall in just his second year of eligibility. He’s set to join fellow defenders and Panthers greats Sam Mills and Julius Peppers\u2014who were enshrined in 2022 and 2024, respectively.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n