Haynes King Shines With Last-minute TD in Hall of Fame Game

WHO:

panthers.com - Luke Kuechly roamed the sidelines before the game, taking group pictures with former teammates and talking with current players and coaches.

panthers.com - Jackson Kuwatch, a linebacker, was among the players wearing Kuechly's jersey to celebrate his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

panthers.com - David Moore stated, "Oh my God, he's so amazing," regarding Haynes King's performance.

panthers.com - Head coach Dave Canales advised King to "stay humble" after the game.

NBC Sports - Haynes King stated, "It was a dream come true," reflecting on his performance in front of Hall of Famers.

NBC Sports - King mentioned, "I allowed everybody around me to play better as well," highlighting his impact on the team.

panthers.com - Luke Kuechly, recent inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was celebrated by Panthers players wearing his jersey before the game.

panthers.com - Jackson Kuwatch, a linebacker, was among the players wearing Kuechly's jersey.

NBC Sports - Haynes King was not drafted despite being the ACC Player of the Year last season.

NBC Sports - The Panthers signed Haynes King as a free agent.

panthers.com - David Moore praised Haynes King, stating, "Oh my God, he's so amazing," and noted he had never seen a game end like that in the preseason during his 10-year career.

panthers.com - Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik attended King's post-game press conference and asked about the QB draw play.

panthers.com - Haynes King, rookie quarterback for the Carolina Panthers

panthers.com - David Moore, teammate of Haynes King

panthers.com - Dave Canales, head coach of the Carolina Panthers

panthers.com - Kenny Pickett, veteran quarterback who started the game

panthers.com - Luke Kuechly, former player and recent inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

panthers.com - Carson Beck, rookie quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals

WHAT:

panthers.com - The Panthers kicked off the 2026 NFL season with a win over the Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game.

NBC Sports - King threw touchdown passes of 15 yards and 5 yards during the game.

panthers.com - The Panthers scored a field goal in the fourth quarter, bringing their total to 27 points before the game-winning touchdown.

panthers.com - King executed a quarterback draw on a crucial third-and-14 play, which helped keep the drive alive.

panthers.com - The Panthers scored a total of 33 points, while the Cardinals scored 30 points, with the game-winning touchdown coming as time expired.

NBC Sports - King threw a touchdown pass to Anthony Tyus III for a 4-yard touchdown that sent the Panthers up 24-20.

NBC Sports - King completed 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, with no sacks and no turnovers, in his NFL preseason debut.

NBC Sports - King ran for 39 yards on three carries, including a game-winning touchdown run as time expired.

panthers.com - The Panthers had 22 players watching from the sideline during the Hall of Fame Game.

panthers.com - AJ Dillon scored the first touchdown of the season for the Panthers with a 1-yard run.

panthers.com - King threw a touchdown pass to Ja'seem Reed, who finished with two catches for 30 yards and a score.

NBC Sports - King replaced veteran Kenny Pickett with 9:38 remaining in the first half and the Panthers trailing 14-7.

NBC Sports - The Cardinals gained 425 yards and the Panthers gained 378 yards during the game.

NBC Sports - Rookie Carson Beck started for Arizona and went 15-of-19 for 188 yards and a touchdown before turning it over to fourth-string quarterback Kedon Slovis, who was 9-of-10 for 106 yards and a touchdown.

panthers.com - King ran for 39 yards and a touchdown on three carries in addition to his passing stats.

panthers.com - The Panthers scored a total of 33 points, while the Cardinals scored 30 points, with the game-winning touchdown coming as time expired.

panthers.com - The Carolina Panthers won the Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals with a score of 33-30.

panthers.com - Haynes King scored a game-winning 5-yard touchdown run as time expired.

panthers.com - King completed 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in his NFL preseason debut.

panthers.com - The Panthers scored a total of 33 points, while the Cardinals scored 30 points.

WHERE:

panthers.com - The game took place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

WHEN:

panthers.com - The Hall of Fame Game was played on a Thursday night.

WHY:

panthers.com - Head coach Dave Canales emphasized that there is no overtime in the preseason, stating, "Not, not a chance, not for a second, no ties, no overtime in the preseason."

panthers.com - Canales emphasized that there is no overtime in the preseason, stating, "Not, not a chance, not for a second, no ties, no overtime in the preseason."

NBC Sports - King expressed excitement about showcasing his talent in front of Hall of Famers during the enshrinement weekend.

panthers.com - The game served as an additional fourth preseason game, allowing teams to showcase their rosters.

HOW:

panthers.com - King executed a fake handoff on a fourth down play, leading to a 22-yard gain to tight end Caden Prieskorn.

panthers.com - King made a smart play by running out of bounds to stop the clock during a crucial drive.

NBC Sports - King demonstrated quick decision-making and mobility, moving the offense downfield with fast throws and huddles.

panthers.com - King executed a fake handoff on a fourth down play, leading to a 22-yard gain to tight end Caden Prieskorn.

panthers.com - King made quick throws to move the sticks and demonstrated his natural talent as a quarterback.

panthers.com - King executed a quarterback draw on a crucial third-and-14 play, which helped keep the drive alive, and he made a smart play by running out of bounds to stop the clock.

panthers.com - King entered the game after Kenny Pickett and played the final two-and-a-half quarters, demonstrating quick decision-making and mobility.

panthers.com - King executed a quarterback draw on a crucial third-and-14 play, which helped keep the drive alive.

panthers.com - The Panthers opted to go for it on fourth down multiple times, including during the final drive that led to the game-winning touchdown.

The Panthers kicked off the 2026 NFL season with a victory over the Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game, held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Quarterback King threw touchdown passes of 15 yards and 5 yards, and a crucial fourth-quarter field goal brought the Panthers' total to 27 points before they secured the game-winning touchdown. Luke Kuechly was honored during the event, as players like linebacker Jackson Kuwatch proudly wore his jersey to celebrate his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.