Football Kicks Off After the Seahawks’ Championship, And Two QBs Are Fighting For Their Careers

Less than six months after our Seahawks lifted that championship trophy, NFL football is officially back! Yeah, it’s just preseason, but the Hall of Fame Game kicks things off tonight from Canton, Ohio, with the Cardinals battling the Panthers. And while we’re not seeing our boys in action yet, there’s some real drama for Carson Beck and Kenny Pickett who are starting under center.

Legends Take the Stage, The Season Kicks Off

This isn’t just some random exhibition game, folks. We’re talking about an NFL tradition that dates way back to August 11, 1962, predating the Super Bowl itself! It’s been the official preseason opener since 1970, and tonight, it’s all about celebrating the absolute legends of the game. Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly, who played for these very teams, are gearing up for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the incredible Class of 2026. Drew Brees, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig are also joining them, making this a truly stacked class of gridiron royalty.

Rookie Dreams and Backup Battles

Forget the final score for a sec, because what we’re *really* watching for are the guys under center tonight. For the Cardinals, it’s Carson Beck, a rookie third-round pick getting his first taste of NFL action. All eyes will be on him to see if he can flash some of that potential. Then there’s Kenny Pickett, taking snaps for the Panthers. This dude’s a former first-rounder, but he’s already on his fifth team in four years! This isn’t just a warm-up for Pickett; he’s fighting tooth and nail to secure that backup job. Talk about high stakes for an exhibition game, right?

Don’t Miss the First Snap

So, if you’re ready to get your football fix, the Cardinals and Panthers kick off tonight, Thursday, August 6, at 8 p.m. ET from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. You can catch all the action nationally on NBC or stream it live on Peacock, Fubo, or DIRECTV. It might not be our Seahawks tearing it up, but the journey to another championship season officially begins now, and it’s always exciting to see who shines early!

This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.

Originally reported by The Sporting News.