CANTON, Ohio — The Arizona Cardinals opened the NFL preseason on Thursday with rookie quarterback Carson Beck starting the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The contest marked the first live action of the 2026 exhibition schedule.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon named Beck the starter, giving the young passer extended snaps against a defense before the regular starters see limited work. The Hall of Fame Game traditionally offers backups and rookies significant playing time as coaching staffs evaluate depth.

The game coincided with the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend in Canton, which draws thousands of fans and inductees to northeast Ohio. Arizona and Dallas used the exhibition to assess roster competition ahead of final cuts in late August.

For Beck, the appearance represented an important audition as he competes for playing time in Arizona's quarterback room. Coaches indicated the preseason would determine the depth chart, with the rookie's decision-making and command of the offense under scrutiny.

The result carried little bearing on the standings, but the game signaled the start of the 2026 season across the league, with training camps intensifying and rosters taking shape before Week 1 kicks off in early September.