The Arizona Cardinals are ready to help the NFL begin preseason activities. Thursday plays host to the league's Hall of Fame Game, where the Cardinals and Carolina Panthers play the NFL's first preseason battle of 2026 with other teams beginning next weekend. As a result, the Cardinals have a total of four preseason matchups on the slate, allowing them an extra week of practice and game evaluation before the regular season gets underway. The Cardinals are hoping to rebound off a 3-14 season where changes at spots such as head coach and quarterback were made. "Just because it's preseason and the win/loss doesn't count, it doesn't mean that this isn't real football.