🏈 FINAL: Carolina Panthers 33, Arizona Cardinals 30
Former Georgia Tech star Haynes King made the most of his first NFL opportunity Thursday night.
King scrambled five yards for the game-winning touchdown on the final play as the Carolina Panthers rallied past the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Because the Hall of Fame Game does not use overtime, Carolina elected to go for the win from the Arizona 5-yard line on the last play. King dropped back to pass but then took off when nothing was open, reaching out of the end zone to give the Panthers a dramatic preseason victory.
The former ACC Player of the Year completed 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in his NFL debut while adding 39 rushing yards and the winning score. King directed three touchdown drives after replacing veteran Kenny Pickett in the second quarter, including his first.
Arizona quarterback Carson Beck, who spent the 2025 season at Miami after serving as the back up as Georgia won back-to-back national championships earlier in his career, also looked sharp. Beck completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown before giving way to former Pitt quarterback Kedon Slovis.
The Panthers erased a pair of deficits before finally taking the lead for good on King’s final run. Rookie receiver Jordan Reed hauled in a 15-yard touchdown reception from King in the second quarter, while running back A.J. Dillon and receiver Anthony Tyus also found the end zone for Carolina.
King of the Game! 👑
Walkoff winner at the @ProFootballHOF game!
📺 NFL+ pic.twitter.com/u1Ovl6MpDe— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 7, 2026
🔄 Last Updated: August 7, 2026
🎯 Key Moments
- Haynes King threw touchdown passes to Jordan Reed and Anthony Tyus before scoring the winning touchdown himself.
- Arizona took a 30-27 lead with 1:55 remaining on Kedon Slovis’ 1-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Green.
- Carolina answered with a 13-play, 65-yard drive, capped by King’s game-winning 5-yard scramble as time expired.
⭐ Stars of the Game
Haynes King, Panthers: 21-of-34 passing, 180 yards, 2 TD; 3 carries, 39 yards, game-winning rushing TD.
Carson Beck, Cardinals: 15-of-19 passing, 188 yards, 1 TD.
Jordan Reed, Panthers: 2 catches, 30 yards, TD.
Jalen Brooks, Cardinals: 3 catches, 99 yards
Austin Keys, Cardinals: 11 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss
📊 By the Numbers
- Panthers: 378 total yards
- Cardinals: 425 total yards
- Carolina converted 9 of 14 third downs.
- Final: Panthers 33, Cardinals 30.
🔜 What’s Next
The Panthers continue the preseason on Aug. 15 with a road game against the Buffalo Bills before traveling to Jacksonville on Aug. 21.
🏈 Game Archive
The information below was published before kickoff and has been retained as part of this game’s archive.
Published: Aug. 3, 2026 (pregame)
Updated: Aug. 7, 2026 (final recap)
🏟️ Game Information
Final: Carolina Panthers 33, Arizona Cardinals 30
Date: Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
TV/Stream: NBC, NFL+, Fubo
Pregame Storylines
Kenny Pickett gets the first opportunity
With Bryce Young sitting out the Hall of Fame Game, the Panthers will turn to Pickett, age 28, for the opening series.
Canales indicated Pickett, who signed with the team in March after stints in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Las Vegas, is expected to play only a handful of possessions before Carolina rotates to younger quarterbacks later in the evening.
Haynes King makes his NFL debut
One of the most intriguing storylines for North Carolina football fans is the expected debut of quarterback Haynes King, one of the top players signed by the Panthers as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft.
The former Georgia Tech standout has impressed throughout training camp and is expected to handle much of the quarterbacking duties after Pickett exits.
Thursday will provide King’s first opportunity to showcase his mobility, decision-making and arm talent against NFL competition as he vies to make the 53-man roster.
Roster battles continue
With most veterans expected to watch from the sideline, Thursday’s spotlight shifts to players trying to secure roster spots or larger roles entering the regular season.
Several offensive linemen, young receivers, reserve defensive backs and backup defensive linemen should receive extended playing time, giving the coaching staff valuable tape before the remainder of the preseason schedule.
Carolina Panthers Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft
✅ Round 1, Pick 19 overall — OT Monroe Freeling (Georgia)
✅ Round 2, Pick 49 overall — DT Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
✅ Round 3, Pick 83 overall — WR Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee)
✅ Round 4, Pick 129 overall — CB Will Lee III (Texas A&M)
✅ Round 5, Pick 144 overall — C Sam Hecht (Kansas State)
✅ Round 5, Pick 151 overall — SAF Zakee Wheatley (Penn State)
✅ Round 7, Pick 227 overall — LB Jackson Kuwatch (Miami OH)
Hall of Fame Spotlight
Thursday also serves as a celebration of one of the greatest players in Panthers history.
Former linebacker Luke Kuechly will be honored during Hall of Fame festivities as a member of the Class of 2026 alongside Larry Fitzgerald, Drew Brees, Roger Craig and Adam Vinatieri.
Kuechly spent his entire NFL career with Carolina and became one of the franchise’s most decorated defensive players, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors and helping lead the Panthers to Super Bowl 50.
What’s Next
The Hall of Fame Game marks the beginning of Carolina’s four-game preseason schedule.
Date Opponent Time (ET) TV Aug. 6 at Arizona (Hall of Fame Game) 8 p.m. NBC, Peacock Aug. 15 at Buffalo 1 p.m. NFL+ Aug. 21 at Jacksonville 7:30 p.m. ESPN App Aug. 28 vs. Houston 7 p.m. NFL+
Carolina opens the regular season on Sept. 13 at Jacksonville.
👉 View the Carolina Panthers’ complete 2026 schedule and more at our Carolina Panthers Hub page.
