2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game: Haynes King steals rookie spotlight from Carson Beck, leading Panthers to 33-30 win over Cardinals

The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals kicked off the 2026 preseason with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio and provided a surprising thriller.Rookie quarterback Haynes King ran 5 yards for a touchdown with no time remaining in the fourth quarter to lead the Panthers to a 33-30 win over the Cardinals. Cardinals QB Kedon Slovis connected with a sliding Bryson Green in the right corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:55 left. The play was initially ruled incomplete, but replay showed that Green got both feet in bounds and had control of the ball as he hit the ground. Bryson Green with an insane TD grab 🙌@ProFootballHOF Game on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/gi4N84qZkv— NFL (@NFL) August 7, 2026 As could be expected, both teams' usual starters did not play. So Bryce Young wasn't at quarterback for the Panthers, nor was Jacoby Brissett under center for the Cardinals. But that provided an opportunity for rookies to shine. One performance may have been expected, but the other was a surprise.Carson Beck, the Cardinals' third-round draft pick (No. 65 overall), looked impressive in his NFL preseason debut. He played the entire first half and first series of the third quarter, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and 1 touchdown. Beck led Arizona on a 96-yard drive for that touchdown. He also connected on several deep throws to receiver Jalen Brooks, who caught 3 passes for 99 yards. Beck showed touch on his TD throw, hitting Simi Fehoko on a 5-yard fade route for the score.Carson Beck throws his first career NFL touchdown for the Cardinals 👏(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/cVmC2XNNMv— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 7, 2026 Play Yahoo's new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now!Yet King, the Panthers' undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech, stole the debut spotlight from Beck. Taking over for Kenny Pickett on Carolina's second possession of the second quarter, King led a 65-yard touchdown drive that was finished off with a 15-yard scoring pass to Ja'seem Reed. King connected on several long throws, including a 16-yarder to Jimmy Horn on third-and-15 that eventually led to the Panthers taking the lead. The likely third-stringer finished completing 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and 2 TDs. Impressive stuff overall from Haynes King so far, but he misses a few throws here to end the drive #NFL #Hayesking pic.twitter.com/mZkRaeCgB4— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhifer) August 7, 2026 He likely wished he could get a do-over on a 15-yard pass attempt to Horn just before halftime. King had Horn wide open down the right sideline, but overthrew him and Carolina had to settle for a field goal. As it turned out, he got a memorable consolation prize.With Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier both sitting for the Cardinals, Bam Knight and Corey Kiner combined to rush for 113 yards on 24 carries. Chad Ryland kicked three field goals, while Slovis completed 9 of 10 passes for 106 yards and what initially appeared to be the game-winning TD. For the Panthers, Ryan Fitzgerald hit his two field goal tries. The second of those was particularly important, giving Carolina a four-point lead that provided a chance to drive for the tie or win after the Cardinals went ahead.