Rookie quarterback Haynes King lifts Panthers to 33-30 win over Cardinals in Hall of Fame game

Undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King capped a 33-30 win for the Carolina Panthers with a five-yard rushing touchdown on the final play of the Hall of Fame preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. King completed 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, adding 39 rushing yards.

Panthers coach Dave Canales praised his performance, saying, > "Haynes did a fantastic job, just keeping the play alive, doing whatever he had to do, run it, throw it. Really proud of the group."

Arizona’s backup quarterback Carson Beck, a third-round pick, threw for 188 yards and a touchdown, completing 15 of 19 attempts. Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur noted Beck handled the spotlight well, adding, > "It was a cool environment and for him to just kind of, it’s just another game and that’s the way he took it."

Both teams used reserves throughout the contest. The Panthers’ starter Kenny Pickett was replaced by King early in the second half, and King later connected with Anthony Tyus III and Ja’seem Reed for touchdowns before his game-winning run. King is expected to remain the Panthers’ third-string quarterback behind Bryce Young and Pickett.

The Cardinals’ backup Kedon Slovis also contributed, completing 9 of 10 passes for 106 yards. The game marked the NFL preseason debut for several players and featured Hall of Fame honors for former stars, including a tribute to Larry Fitzgerald.

Next, the Panthers travel to Buffalo on Aug. 15, while the Cardinals head to Las Vegas on Aug. 13.