The 2026 NFL preseason kicked off in spectacular fashion Thursday night as the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals delivered what may be the most thrilling Hall of Fame Game ever played. In a back-and-forth contest that featured standout rookie quarterback debuts on both sides, it was undrafted free agent Haynes King who stole the show, scrambling for a game-winning touchdown on the final play to lift the Panthers to a dramatic victory in Canton, Ohio.
King, who went undrafted out of Georgia Tech amid questions about his arm strength, entered the game in the second quarter and immediately went toe-to-toe with Cardinals third-round pick Carson Beck. By the time the final whistle blew, King had answered every question about his ability to compete at the professional level — culminating in a 28-yard scramble on 3rd-and-14 to keep the final drive alive, followed by the walk-off score with two seconds remaining.
How the Hall of Fame Game Unfolded: Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
The game began as most Hall of Fame Games do — sluggish and sloppy. Kenny Pickett started for the Panthers and completed two short passes to tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders before a sack ended Carolina's opening possession. On the Cardinals' side, Carson Beck scrambled for a first down on his opening drive but couldn't sustain the momentum, and both teams traded punts through much of the first quarter.
Arizona broke through early in the second quarter when running back Corey Kiner punched in a one-yard touchdown, capitalizing on a drive that Beck orchestrated with several sharp completions that moved the Cardinals 98 yards. The Panthers responded immediately, with Trevor Etienne breaking off a couple of nice runs and veteran AJ Dillon capping the drive with a touchdown run to tie the game.
Beck was far from finished. The former Georgia quarterback — now Arizona's third-round pick — dropped a bomb to wide receiver Jalen Brooks for 49 yards deep into Panthers territory, then connected with Simi Fehoko on a perfectly placed fade route to the back corner of the end zone, giving the Cardinals a 14-7 lead. Beck finished his night completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, drawing rave reviews across social media from analysts including ESPN's Louis Riddick.
That's when Haynes King took over. The undrafted rookie led the Panthers on a methodical scoring drive, using both his arm and legs before finding Ja'seem Reed on a crossing route for a touchdown. The Cardinals added a field goal before halftime, but King orchestrated an impressive two-minute drill, completing multiple sideline passes to Jimmy Horn Jr. to set up a game-tying field goal as time expired in the half, knotting the score at 17.
Haynes King's Fourth-Quarter Heroics: From Unknown to Unforgettable
The second half turned into a showcase for King's poise under pressure. After the Panthers defense forced a Cardinals field goal — thanks in part to a Nick Hampton sack and a timely pass breakup by Isaiah Simmons — King went back to work. Facing a 3rd-and-15 after a penalty negated a first-down scramble, he delivered a beautifully layered pass to move the chains. On 4th-and-2 near the red zone, he rolled out on a bootleg and found Caden Prieskorn to set up first-and-goal, then hit Anthony Tyus on a similar play for the go-ahead touchdown.
The Cardinals wouldn't go quietly. Backup quarterback Kedon Slovis hit a deep pass to spark a drive that ended in a field goal, trimming the deficit. King answered with a drive of his own, keyed by a big run from Miles Davis, that resulted in a Panthers field goal to restore a four-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.
With time winding down, the Cardinals mounted one final charge. Moving efficiently downfield behind several chunk plays, they reached the doorstep of the end zone as the two-minute warning arrived. On the first snap after the stoppage, Arizona reclaimed the lead with a sideline completion to Bryson Green, setting the stage for King's defining moment.
Starting the two-minute drill with a completion to Casey Washington, King moved the Panthers across midfield. Disaster nearly struck when a screen pass was blown up, creating a 3rd-and-14 situation. But King — showcasing the elite athleticism that made him a standout at Georgia Tech — tucked the ball and scrambled 28 yards, smartly getting out of bounds to stop the clock. Two plays later, he found Jimmy Horn Jr. inside the five-yard line.
With two seconds remaining, King dropped back, felt the pocket collapsing, and burst through the middle. Breaking through multiple Cardinals defenders, he stretched for the goal line as time expired — sealing one of the most memorable finishes in Hall of Fame Game history.
Why This Preseason Game Matters: Rookie QB Showcases and Roster Implications
Beyond the entertainment value, Thursday night's game carried significant meaning for both franchises. For the Cardinals, Carson Beck's performance validated the organization's decision to invest a third-round pick in the former Georgia signal-caller. His poise, accuracy, and command of the offense drew praise from head coach Mike LaFleur — who was making his own debut on the Arizona sideline — and sparked immediate speculation about how quickly Beck might push for the starting job over veteran Jacoby Brissett.
Jalen Brooks was another Cardinals standout, hauling in three receptions for 99 yards — a dazzling 33.0 yards per catch average. Listed as a backup behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and Simi Fehoko on the initial depth chart, Brooks made a compelling case that he'll be impossible to cut when roster reductions begin. Linebacker Austin Keys also turned heads with a team-high 11 total tackles, including a remarkable pass breakup where he saved a touchdown by deflecting a pass with his elbow while unable to locate the ball.
For the Panthers, Haynes King's emergence provides fascinating quarterback depth behind Pickett. As NBC's Cris Collinsworth noted during the broadcast, King's performance was "not bad for a guy who wasn't supposed to be able to throw the ball." His composure running through progressions, combined with his obvious rushing ability, suggests the Panthers may have uncovered a gem in the undrafted free agent pool — something that's exceptionally rare at the quarterback position.
Where Things Stand Now: Training Camp Battles Heat Up
Both teams now return to their respective training camps with the Hall of Fame Game providing crucial evaluation tape. For Arizona, the defensive depth concerns exposed by Carolina's rushing attack — including runs of 36 and 26 yards up the middle — will be a priority for LaFleur's staff. The return game also needs work after multiple miscues, including a muffed kickoff that pinned the Cardinals deep.
The Panthers, meanwhile, are counting down the days to their regular season opener against the Chicago Bears — now just 37 days away. The heavy rotation at every position made individual evaluations challenging beyond the quarterback spot, but players like Ja'Tavion Sanders, who looked difficult to bring down after the catch, and defensive contributors like Jared Harrison-Hunte and Nick Hampton, who each recorded sacks, gave the coaching staff positive data points.
The Hall of Fame weekend also celebrated the induction of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, headlined by Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald and Panthers icon Luke Kuechly. Fitzgerald's presence added an emotional layer to the Cardinals' sideline throughout the week, with several defensive starters choosing to watch the game sporting Fitzgerald's No. 11 jersey rather than suiting up.
What Happens Next: The Road to Week 1
With the Hall of Fame Game in the books, the NFL preseason now kicks into full gear. Both the Panthers and Cardinals will have three more exhibition contests to finalize their rosters before the 53-man cutdown. For Haynes King, the challenge is building on his spectacular debut and proving it wasn't a one-night wonder. For Carson Beck, the question shifts from whether he can play at this level to how soon he should be playing meaningful snaps.
The Cardinals face additional decisions on the defensive side, where players like Austin Keys are making strong cases for roster spots that simply may not exist. General manager Monti Ossenfort will have difficult conversations ahead as the team trims from 90 players to the final 53.
For the Panthers, the quarterback room suddenly looks more intriguing than anyone anticipated. With Pickett the presumptive starter and King now forcing his way into the conversation, head coach Dave Canales has the kind of depth that was unimaginable just a week ago.
The Bottom Line: Key Takeaways from the Hall of Fame Game
- Undrafted rookie QB Haynes King led a game-winning drive culminating in a rushing touchdown on the final play, finishing with both a passing and rushing score
- Cardinals third-round pick Carson Beck impressed in his debut, completing 15-of-19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, sparking early QB1 discussions
- The 2026 Hall of Fame class — headlined by Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly — was celebrated throughout the weekend in Canton
- Mike LaFleur's head coaching debut for Arizona featured offensive flashes but defensive concerns, particularly against the run
- Both teams now have three remaining preseason games before the regular season kicks off in 37 days with the Panthers hosting the Chicago Bears
