Carson Beck and Haynes King both impressed in their NFL debuts at the Hall of Fame Game, with King’s game-winning touchdown run capping a thrilling 33-30 win for the Panthers over the Cardinals.
The 2026 NFL preseason kicked off in dramatic fashion Thursday night in Canton, Ohio, as the Carolina Panthers edged the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game — a contest that ended up being far more entertaining than your typical exhibition opener. With most projected starters sitting out, the spotlight fell squarely on two rookie quarterbacks, and both delivered performances that left fans and analysts buzzing.
Carson Beck Announces Himself in Arizona
Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur had named Carson Beck the starter earlier in the week, with regulars Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew both held out of the game. The move paid off immediately. Beck, Arizona’s third-round pick, looked nothing like a rookie making his professional debut, leading the Cardinals on three consecutive scoring drives in the first half.
Beck finished the night completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, going a full two-plus quarters without a turnover and posting an impressive 125.4 passer rating. Among the highlights was a 49-yard deep completion to Jalen Brooks and a five-yard touchdown fade to Simi Fehoko in the end zone. His poise navigating the pocket and ability to convert on third downs helped fuel a 96-yard scoring drive that showcased solid chemistry with his new coaching staff. Once Beck’s night wrapped up, fourth-string quarterback Kedon Slovis stepped in and kept the offense rolling, going 9 of 10 for 106 yards and a touchdown of his own.
Haynes King Delivers the Signature Moment
If Beck’s performance was the appetizer, Haynes King’s finish was the main course. An undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech — despite being named ACC Player of the Year last season — King entered the game as the Panthers’ third-string quarterback, replacing veteran Kenny Pickett with just under ten minutes left in the first half, at a point when Carolina trailed 14-7.
From there, King took over the game. He completed 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, including a 15-yard and a 5-yard scoring strike, while also adding 39 rushing yards on just three carries. The signature moment came on the final play of the game, when King capped the comeback with a 5-yard touchdown run as time expired, sealing a 33-30 win for the Panthers and instantly making him one of the standout storylines of the entire preseason.
A Back-and-Forth Thriller
The game itself lived up to the moment. After a scoreless first quarter, both teams traded scores throughout the rest of the night. Arizona actually appeared to have the win in hand late, as Cardinals quarterback Kedon Slovis connected with a diving Bryson Green in the corner of the end zone for what looked like a go-ahead score with under two minutes remaining — a play initially ruled incomplete before replay confirmed Green had gotten both feet down in bounds.
That set the stage for King’s heroics. Offensively, the two teams put up nearly identical yardage totals, with Arizona finishing with 425 total yards to Carolina’s 378, reflecting just how competitive the night turned out to be despite neither team’s usual starters taking the field.
Setting Up a Real Quarterback Battle
Beck’s performance in particular has already sparked conversation about a potential quarterback competition brewing in Arizona, given how sharp he looked in his very first professional action. For Carolina, King’s emergence adds intriguing depth behind Kenny Pickett heading into the regular season, especially after a performance that showed off both his arm and his legs under pressure.
A Night That Also Honored the Legends
Beyond the on-field drama, Thursday’s game also served its traditional purpose of honoring the newest class of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, who were recognized on the field before kickoff ahead of their formal enshrinement ceremony this weekend. This year’s class includes former quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, running back Roger Craig, and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who won the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game? The Carolina Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 33-30, with Haynes King scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 5-yard run as time expired.
Q: How did Carson Beck perform in his NFL debut? Beck went 15-of-19 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown, posting a 125.4 passer rating while leading Arizona on three scoring drives in the first half.
Q: Who is Haynes King? King is an undrafted rookie quarterback out of Georgia Tech who was named ACC Player of the Year last season before signing with the Panthers as a free agent.
Q: Did the teams’ regular starting quarterbacks play? No. Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew did not play, and Carolina’s Bryce Young also sat out, giving rookies like Beck and King extended opportunities to showcase their skills.
Q: Who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year? The 2026 class includes Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Roger Craig, and Adam Vinatieri, who were honored on the field before the game ahead of their formal enshrinement.
