The Carolina Panthers opened the 2026 NFL preseason in dramatic fashion, rallying for a 33-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
The preseason opener delivered far more excitement than typically expected from a game featuring mostly backup players, with rookie quarterback Haynes King providing the final highlight. King ran 5 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the fourth quarter, giving Carolina the walk-off victory in a thrilling finish.
With the game tied late, Arizona appeared to have taken control when quarterback Kedon Slovis connected with Bryson Green for a go-ahead touchdown with 1:55 remaining. Green made a sliding catch in the right corner of the end zone that was initially ruled incomplete. Replay, however, showed Green had control of the ball and got both feet in bounds before hitting the ground, giving the Cardinals a 30-26 advantage.
That left Carolina with one final opportunity—and the Panthers capitalized. King led the decisive drive before scrambling into the end zone from 5 yards out as the clock expired, sending the Panthers to a 33-30 victory and providing one of the most memorable finishes possible for the opening game of the preseason.
As expected, neither team played its usual starting quarterback. Bryce Young did not take the field for Carolina, while Jacoby Brissett remained on the sideline for Arizona.
That created an opportunity for young quarterbacks to make their case, and both teams received encouraging performances.
Perhaps the biggest surprise came from Cardinals third-round pick Carson Beck, who made an impressive NFL preseason debut. The No. 65 overall selection played the entire first half and the first series of the third quarter, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown.
Beck engineered a 96-yard scoring drive and showed impressive accuracy and touch throughout his outing. His touchdown pass was particularly well executed, as he found Simi Fehoko on a 5-yard fade route for the score.
Beck also repeatedly connected with receiver Jalen Brooks on deep throws. Brooks finished with three receptions for 99 yards, giving Arizona another promising performance from a young player.
There was one throw Beck would likely like to have back. Just before halftime, he attempted a 15-yard pass to Horn that fell incomplete, but the bigger issue was that the throw sailed over a wide-open target down the right sideline.
While Beck provided the most impressive extended performance at quarterback, King ultimately delivered the moment that decided the game.
King had opportunities to make plays through the air but also displayed his athleticism as a runner. His final 5-yard touchdown run capped a dramatic fourth-quarter sequence and gave Carolina its first victory of the preseason.
Earlier in the game, Carolina had to settle for a field goal after King missed a chance to hit Horn on a deep throw. But the rookie quarterback bounced back when it mattered most, putting the Panthers in position to win on the final play.
Arizona’s running game also provided plenty of positives despite the absence of Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier.
Bam Knight and Corey Kiner combined for 113 rushing yards on 24 carries, giving the Cardinals a consistent presence on the ground.
Chad Ryland added three field goals for Arizona, while Slovis delivered a strong performance when he entered the game. He completed 9 of 10 passes for 106 yards and threw what initially appeared to be the game-winning touchdown to Green.
Ryan Fitzgerald connected on both of his field-goal attempts for Carolina. His second field goal proved particularly important, giving the Panthers a four-point advantage and keeping them within striking distance after Arizona had taken the lead late.
The Hall of Fame Game is traditionally a showcase for young players fighting for roster spots, but Panthers-Cardinals provided considerably more drama than expected.
Carolina overcame a late Arizona touchdown, while King delivered the final blow with his walk-off rushing score. Beck, meanwhile, gave Cardinals fans plenty of reason for optimism after an impressive preseason debut.
Neither team had its regular starters on the field, but the game still offered an early glimpse at several players who could play important roles as the 2026 season approaches.
For the Panthers, the 33-30 victory provided a thrilling beginning to the preseason. For the Cardinals, the loss was disappointing, but Beck’s performance and several strong individual showings offered encouraging signs heading into the rest of August.
The Hall of Fame Game may not count in the regular-season standings, but Canton delivered a preseason opener that certainly felt like a game worth remembering.
