The Hall of Fame game marked the beginning of the NFL preseason with a matchup between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals. The Panthers emerged victorious with a close 33-30 win, thanks to rookie quarterback Haynes King.
King, a standout from Georgia Tech, scored the winning touchdown with a 5-yard run in the final play. His performance included completing 21 out of 34 passes for 180 yards, delivering two touchdowns, and running for 39 yards.
Carolina’s Coach Dave Canales praised King’s ability to adapt and finish strong, a key aspect the team focuses on in practice. King’s performance included a 4-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Tyus III and a 15-yard pass to Ja’seem Reed. His agility was evident with a crucial 26-yard run on third-and-14, which extended the final drive.
On the other side, Arizona’s rookie Carson Beck also impressed. Completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards with one touchdown, Beck demonstrated professionalism and calmness under pressure. Coach Mike LaFleur commended his smooth performance, highlighting Beck’s ability to handle the national stage effectively.
Kedon Slovis contributed with a touchdown pass near the end, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win for the Cardinals. Veteran quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew are expected to hold the starting positions for Arizona, yet there is optimism for Beck’s future development under LaFleur.
King is expected to be Carolina’s third quarterback behind starters Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett. King replaced Pickett in the game, following Pickett’s performance of completing 8 out of 11 passes for 62 yards.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 includes notable figures like Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Adam Vinatieri, Larry Fitzgerald, and Luke Kuechly. Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin joined NBC as a studio analyst for “Football Night in America.” Tomlin’s new role follows a 19-year coaching career with Pittsburgh.
Cardinals players honored Larry Fitzgerald by donning his No. 11 on red T-shirts. Fitzgerald appreciated the gesture, acknowledging the organization’s support.
The Panthers will face the Buffalo Bills on August 15, while the Cardinals are set to play against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 13.
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