​The Arizona Cardinals kicked off the NFL’s 2026 season by playing the Carolina Panthers in the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The contest is part of the Hall of Fame weekend, which includes various festivities with the conclusion of the induction of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.Former Arizona great WR Larry Fitzgerald was part of this year’s class. With the Panthers, former linebacker Luke Kuechly was also a class member.RELATED: FIRST OFFICIAL DEPTH CHARTAnd now for the game. For one, the expectations with any starters entering the game and getting snaps are pretty low. That should be true for all four exhibition competitions. Back in the day, every coach and player gave it their all to win just because it was a game and they were competitive.Also consider it was the first game for Mike LaFleur as an NFL head coach.A decade ago, the tradition was that the starters bypassed the first game and then played two series in the second preseason game, a full quarter in the third match, and then the first half in the final contest. Now, few starters make an appearance at all at the exhibition level.The reason for preseason games is numerous.First, the coaching staff needs to find out which players to cut. The training camp roster is 90 players, which has to be pared down to 53 plus a 17-member practice squad before Week 1. That is quite a few athletes to let go, and the last thing any head coach wants is to see a guy they had in camp become a star player elsewhere. Secondly, rookies need to get acclimated to the professional level, which is bigger, stronger, and faster.Thirdly, with new players signed from other teams, they know their former team’s schemes and playbook, but not the Cardinals’ stuff. Practice and classroom meetings are a great help, but seeing what these players have absorbed in a live game is critical. And finally, great practice players don’t necessarily translate into great talent on the field when there is live hitting and quick decision-making. Case in point, last year’s training camp darling was OG Isaiah Adams. He was named the starter at LG to start the season, then struggled mightily once he no longer faced second-and third-stringers.Who played well for the Cardinals against the Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game? Who did not?—————————————————————————BEAKSQB Carson Beck – You have to admit – the kid delivered. He was poised, never became flustered, and did well while rolling out. Beck threw strikes and stepped up in the pocket when he felt it begin to collapse. His magic began early when he left the pocket and ran for four yards on a third-and-three. Debut numbers📈@BetMGMpic.twitter.com/zjTPMx8930— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 7, 2026With 5:30 left in the first quarter, Beck hit WR Jalen Brooks for 35 yards after beating CB Will Lee down to the 42-yard line. After being pinned down at their own three, on second-and-six, Beck fo