CANTON, OH, USA — Undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King ran in from the 5-yard line on the final play of the game to lead the Carolina Panthers to a 33-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame game that kicked off the NFL preseason.
The annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, delivered a thrilling start to the NFL preseason. With both teams resting their starting lineups, rookie sensation and former Georgia Tech star Haynes King stole the show, engineering a dramatic late-game comeback for a 33-30 Carolina victory.
Game Highlights and Performance Breakdown
While the starters watched from the sideline—including Bryce Young cheering on King—the backups put on an offensive show.
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Haynes King’s Heroics: King finished the night 21 of 34 for 180 yards and two passing touchdowns, adding 39 rushing yards and the game-winning score on the ground.
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Late-Game Lead Changes: After Arizona quarterback Kedon Slovis tossed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Green with 1:55 remaining to give the Cardinals a 30-27 lead, King orchestrated a clutch final drive. This drive included a crucial 26-yard run on third-and-14 to keep the winning hopes alive.
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Cardinals Debut: Carson Beck also put together an impressive debut performance for Arizona before giving way to the rest of the preseason roster.
Hall of Fame Weekend Context and Other Notable Events
The opening matchup coincided with a weekend of celebrations honoring the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Key Event Highlights
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New Hall of Famers: The Class of 2026 features legendary figures including quarterback Drew Brees, running back Roger Craig, kicker Adam Vinatieri, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and linebacker Luke Kuechly.
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Special Honors: Cardinals players honored franchise icon Larry Fitzgerald by wearing red T-shirts featuring his No. 11 during warmups and on the sidelines.
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Preseason Ahead: Following the opener in Canton, the Carolina Panthers look ahead to an away game against Buffalo on August 15, while the Arizona Cardinals travel to face Las Vegas on August 13.
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