Undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King orchestrated a dramatic comeback, capping the victory with a five-yard touchdown run on the final play to secure a 33-30 win for the Carolina Panthers against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL preseason opener on Thursday night. The Hall of Fame game, marking the unofficial start to the NFL season, saw both teams showcase their depth by holding out their starting quarterbacks and key veterans.

Haynes King’s Impressive Performance

King, who transferred from Texas A&M and was the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year last season at Georgia Tech, demonstrated poise and playmaking ability throughout the contest. He completed 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and threw two touchdowns. His dual-threat capability was on full display as he also added 39 rushing yards, including the game-winning score.

“Well, that was a lot of fun. Just the back and forth of it. Just a really good game,” said Panthers coach Dave Canales. “The guys were resilient and finish is what we preach as a team. We practice for these situations, end of half, end of game…. Haynes did a fantastic job, just keeping the play alive, doing whatever he had to do, run it, throw it. Really proud of the group.”

King’s fourth-quarter heroics included a four-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Tyus III that gave Carolina a 24-20 lead early in the final period. He also connected with Ja’seem Reed for a 15-yard touchdown in the second quarter. A crucial 26-yard run on third-and-14 extended the Panthers’ final drive, showcasing his ability to make critical plays under pressure.

“These are things that he did throughout his career,” Canales commented on King’s knack for moving the chains. “The bottom line is move the chains.”

King is currently slated to be the Panthers’ third-string quarterback, behind starter Bryce Young and veteran acquisition Kenny Pickett. Despite the depth chart, King’s performance suggests he could be a valuable asset for the team.

Cardinals’ Quarterback Play

The Cardinals also saw promising performances from their backup quarterbacks. Carson Beck, a third-round pick from Miami, made a strong debut, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown. His performance indicated he was unfazed by the spotlight, even after leading the Hurricanes to the national championship game earlier in his college career.

“It was a cool environment and for him to just kind of, it’s just another game and that’s the way he took it and he’s been in big ones and that’s how his mindset works,” said rookie Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur.

Following Beck, Kedon Slovis entered the game and threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Green with less than two minutes remaining, giving the Cardinals a brief 30-27 lead. Slovis finished 9 of 10 for 106 yards.

Arizona’s quarterback room features veteran Jacoby Brissett as the starter and Gardner Minshew as the backup. With expectations tempered in a competitive NFC West division, Beck’s development could lead to opportunities later in the season.

Canales Praises Beck’s Debut

Carolina’s coach Dave Canales was impressed with Beck’s showing, despite him being on the opposing team. “He operated like a professional. He looked fantastic,” Canales remarked. “He was accurate. He was on time. Our rush was decent. He got the ball out, threw some really beautiful passes down the field, up the sideline on some double moves, over the middle, to keep the drive alive in some third-down situations, so tip my hat to him.”

Preseason Action and Player Development

The Hall of Fame game traditionally provides an extended look at players beyond the usual starters, allowing coaches to evaluate talent and depth. Both the Panthers and Cardinals utilized the opportunity to give their reserves significant playing time.

For the Panthers, Kenny Pickett, who is expected to be the primary backup to Bryce Young, saw limited action. He completed 8 of 11 passes for 62 yards before Haynes King took over.

On the Cardinals’ side, top draft pick Jeremiyah Love, the No. 3 overall selection, sat out the game despite his desire to play, highlighting the team’s cautious approach with its high-profile rookies.

Hall of Fame Enshrinement and Notable Figures

The event also served as a prelude to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductions. The upcoming class includes notable figures such as quarterback Drew Brees, running back Roger Craig, kicker Adam Vinatieri, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made his first appearance as part of the NBC broadcast crew, joining the network after a long tenure in Pittsburgh. Additionally, Cardinals players Jacoby Brissett and tight end Trey McBride visited the Hall of Fame Museum, where their jerseys were displayed in recognition of their record-setting performances last season. McBride set an NFL record for receptions by a tight end with 126, while Brissett achieved a record for completions in a single game with 47.

Cardinals players showed their respect for Larry Fitzgerald by wearing red t-shirts with his iconic No. 11 during warmups and on the sideline. Fitzgerald expressed his appreciation for the gesture, stating, “It’s a great feeling to know your organization stands behind you. I’m really happy they would honor me like this.”

Looking Ahead

The preseason opener provided valuable insights into the depth and potential of both the Panthers and Cardinals, with standout performances from quarterbacks Haynes King and Carson Beck hinting at future possibilities for their respective teams.