Panthers defeat Cardinals on rookie quarterback's game-winning run in preseason

Carolina secured a 27-24 victory over Arizona in the opening game of the NFL preseason on Thursday night when rookie quarterback Haynes King broke free for a touchdown on the final play. King, who is third on the Panthers' depth chart behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett, threw for two touchdowns and added the rushing score, prompting speculation about his future role as a backup.

Arizona's rookie quarterback Carson Beck also posted a strong performance, completing 18 of 28 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Analysts noted that much of his production came against a Panthers secondary that featured several depth-chart players and limited situational play-calling.

The Panthers' pass defense allowed 312 yards, raising questions about the unit's readiness, though coaches emphasized that the lineup included many reserves and that the defensive coordinator did not employ his full scheme.

Both teams highlighted promising wide receivers: Arizona's Jalen Brooks and Carolina's Ja’Seem Reed each recorded over 70 receiving yards. While their contributions were notable, experts cautioned that earning a spot on the regular-season roster will be a significant step for the former seventh-round pick and the undrafted free agent.

"We need to see consistent performance against regular-season competition before drawing any long-term conclusions," said a Panthers spokesperson.

"The game showed that there are still areas for improvement on both sides of the ball," added an Arizona representative.