Five rookie debuts to watch in NFL preseason

The NFL preseason kicks off Thursday with the annual Hall of Fame Game, as the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals usher in the 2026 preseason and begin the road to Super Bowl LXI.

The NFL had a busy offseason, highlighted by a successful NFL Draft in Pittsburgh and several marquee free agents finding new homes. Fans are especially eager to see this year's rookie class take the field, with some debuts carrying even more intrigue than others.