Canton: Haynes King leads Panthers to Hall of Fame game victory
The Carolina Panthers began the 2026 NFL season with a 33-30 win against the Cardinals in Canton, Ohio. The game, held at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, saw undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King lead a comeback, culminating in a game-winning touchdown run.
King, who was named ACC Player of the Year last season but went undrafted, was signed by the Panthers as a free agent. He entered the game in the first half, replacing veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett with 9:38 remaining and the Panthers trailing 14-7.
King’s Performance and Game-Winning Drive
During his time on the field, King completed 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, including a 15-yarder and a 5-yarder. He also contributed 39 rushing yards on three carries. His final carry was a 5-yard touchdown run on the last play of the game, securing the 33-30 victory for the Panthers.
The rookie quarterback’s performance included several key plays. After taking over, King moved the offense with quick throws. He later demonstrated his athleticism by rolling right, pump-faking, and running for 8 yards. This was followed by a pass to Feleipe Franks for a fresh set of downs.
From the Cardinals’ 15-yard line, King connected with Ja’seem Reed for a touchdown. Reed finished the game with two catches for 30 yards and a score. In the fourth quarter, King found Jimmy Horn Jr. for a 16-yard gain, which was extended by a penalty. He then converted a fourth down with a 22-yard pass to tight end Caden Prieskorn before throwing a 4-yard touchdown to Anthony Tyus III, putting the Panthers up 24-20.
The Panthers added a field goal to extend their lead to 27-23 before the Cardinals scored a late touchdown. King then orchestrated the final drive, which ended with his game-winning run.
Team Contributions and Hall of Fame Celebration
The game also featured several other notable performances. On offense, AJ Dillon ran for a 1-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-all. This drive was set up by John Metchie III’s 35-yard kickoff return and a 19-yard reception. Dillon contributed 22 rushing yards on two plays during the drive.
Defensively, Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus started at linebacker, while Chau Smith-Wade started at nickelback, rotating with Corey Thornton. The special teams unit also made an impact, with Sam Martin’s 58-yard punt downed by Ja’seem Reed after a dive by Lathan Ransom.
The Hall of Fame Game also served as a celebration for former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Many Panthers players, including Jackson Kuwatch, Kenny Pickett, Damien Lewis, David Moore, Jalen Coker, and JJ Jansen, wore Kuechly’s No. 59 jersey in his honor. Kuechly was present on the sidelines, interacting with former teammates like Steve Smith Sr. and current players before being honored at the 50-yard line with his fellow inductees.
Most of the Panthers’ starters were held out of the game, as is common for the additional fourth preseason game. Approximately 22 players watched from the sideline, with Monroe Freeling being the only rookie starter held out. However, several major contributors, including David Moore, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Trevin Wallace, Chau Smith-Wade, and Lathan Ransom, did start. Brady Christensen, an offensive lineman recovering from an Achilles injury, also started. Ransom briefly left the game with an eye injury but was cleared to return.
The Cardinals’ starting quarterback, Carson Beck, completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown before being replaced by fourth-string quarterback Kedon Slovis, who was 9 of 10 for 106 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals gained 425 total yards in the game, while the Panthers accumulated 378 yards. The Panthers have three remaining preseason games scheduled.
Source: nbcsports.com
