Football returned in dramatic fashion Thursday night as the Carolina Panthers opened the 2026 preseason with a thrilling 33-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. What began as a showcase for young talent quickly turned into one of the most entertaining Hall of Fame Games in recent memory, ending with quarterback Haynes King diving into the end zone as time expired to give Carolina a walk off victory.
First Half
The Panthers came out with veteran Kenny Pickett under center while franchise quarterback Bryce Young watched from the sideline. Pickett was efficient in his brief appearance, completing 8 of 11 passes for 62 yards before giving way to undrafted rookie Haynes King.
Arizona countered with rookie third round pick Carson Beck, who looked poised throughout the first half. Beck consistently moved the Cardinals offense with quick decisions and accurate throws, helping Arizona answer every Carolina score. His composure and command stood out in his first NFL action as the Cardinals remained within striking distance throughout the opening two quarters.
Young Quarterbacks Shine
As expected in a preseason opener, both teams rotated quarterbacks heavily, but the backups stole the show.
King energized Carolina’s offense with his mobility and confidence. The former Georgia Tech standout extended plays with his legs while delivering accurate throws downfield, finishing with 21 completions on 34 attempts for 180 yards and two touchdown passes. He also added 39 rushing yards, proving to be the game’s biggest difference-maker.
On the opposite sideline, Beck delivered an impressive debut of his own. The rookie completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, showing why Arizona invested in him during the draft. Veteran Kedon Slovis also played well, completing 9 of 10 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown while keeping the Cardinals offense productive late into the fourth quarter.
Fourth-Quarter Fireworks
The game’s intensity picked up dramatically in the final minutes.
With 1:55 remaining, the Cardinals appeared to seize control when Kedon Slovis capped a late drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Green, giving Arizona a 30-26 advantage. The score completed an impressive comeback and left Carolina needing one final drive.
King answered with the best series of the night.
Taking over deep in Panthers territory, he calmly marched Carolina 65 yards on a 13-play drive, mixing accurate throws with timely scrambles to keep the offense alive. After moving inside the five-yard line with the clock expiring, King kept the ball on a quarterback scramble, dove across the goal line as time expired, and sparked a celebration on the Panthers sideline as Carolina escaped with a dramatic 33-30 win.
Standout Performers
Carolina Panthers
- Haynes King: 21-of-34, 180 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 39 rushing yards, game-winning rushing touchdown.
- Kenny Pickett: 8-of-11 passing for 62 yards in his preseason debut.
- Carolina’s young offensive depth flashed throughout the evening, with several reserves making strong cases for roster spots.
Arizona Cardinals
- Carson Beck: 15-of-19, 188 passing yards, 1 touchdown in an encouraging NFL debut.
- Kedon Slovis: 9-of-10, 106 yards and a touchdown.
- Jalen Brooks: Three receptions for 99 yards, providing the biggest explosive plays of the night.
Takeaways
For Carolina, the biggest story was Haynes King’s emergence. Although Bryce Young remains firmly entrenched as the starter, King’s performance provided the Panthers with an intriguing developmental quarterback and one of the preseason’s earliest breakout moments.
Arizona also left Canton encouraged despite the loss. Carson Beck displayed poise, accuracy, and command beyond what many expect from a rookie making his NFL debut, giving the Cardinals optimism about their quarterback depth moving forward.
The Hall of Fame Game rarely delivers memorable finishes, but this year’s opener provided exactly that a back and forth contest featuring impressive quarterback play, late momentum swings, and a walk off touchdown that reminded fans football is officially back.
