The 2026 NFL preseason opened in dramatic fashion as the Carolina Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 on a thrilling walk-off touchdown in the annual Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Carolina erased a late deficit with a 16-point fourth quarter, ending the game on the final snap when rookie quarterback Haynes King escaped pressure, pump-faked a defender, and dove across the goal line for a 5-yard game-winning touchdown as time expired.
S³ Game Story
The Hall of Fame Game delivered far more offense than expected, with both teams combining for 803 total yards. While the starters watched from the sidelines, young quarterbacks and roster hopefuls put on an entertaining showcase.
King became the story of the night by leading multiple scoring drives and displaying both poise and athleticism in his NFL debut. Arizona answered throughout the game behind an impressive performance from rookie quarterback Carson Beck, keeping the contest close until the final seconds.
The Cardinals briefly grabbed the lead late in the fourth quarter after Kedon Slovis connected with Bryson Green for a 1-yard touchdown under the two-minute warning. Carolina responded with one final drive, culminating in King's unforgettable walk-off run.
Top Performers
Haynes King (Panthers)
- 21 of 34 passing
- 180 passing yards
- 2 passing touchdowns
- 39 rushing yards
- Walk-off rushing touchdown
Carson Beck (Cardinals)
- 15 of 19 passing
- 188 passing yards
- 1 touchdown
- Efficient NFL debut
AJ Dillon (Panthers)
- 1-yard rushing touchdown
- Helped power Carolina's rushing attack
Kedon Slovis (Cardinals)
- Late touchdown pass to Bryson Green
- Nearly led Arizona to the victory
Team Stats
| Category | Panthers | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 33 | 30 |
| Total Yards | 378 | 425 |
| Passing Yards | 237 | 282 |
| Rushing Yards | 141 | 143 |
| First Downs | 25 | 23 |
S³ Takeaways
- Haynes King made the strongest statement of the night and significantly boosted his chances of earning a roster spot.
- Carson Beck looked comfortable, accurate, and decisive in his first NFL action.
- Carolina's resilience stood out after overcoming a late deficit.
- Arizona's young offense showed encouraging depth despite the loss.
The 2026 preseason opened with one of the most entertaining Hall of Fame Games in recent memory.
