The short version
- Haynes King rushed for the winning touchdown to secure a 33-30 victory for the Carolina Panthers over the Arizona Cardinals.
- Arizona quarterback Carson Beck delivered an efficient performance in his professional debut, completing nearly eighty percent of his passes.
- Both teams utilized reserve units extensively, highlighting development opportunities for backups behind established starters Bryce Young and Jacoby Brissett.
The National Football League preseason commenced Thursday night with a high-scoring affair that highlighted the depth of both the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals rosters. In a contest devoid of starting quarterbacks for most of the action, undrafted rookie Haynes King delivered the decisive play for Carolina, rushing from the five-yard line to cap a comeback victory. The final score stood at 33-30 in favor of the Panthers, marking an eventful start to the training camp season for both franchises.
King, who entered the league without being selected in the draft after earning Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year honors at Georgia Tech, displayed versatility throughout the contest. He completed twenty-one of thirty-four pass attempts for one hundred eighty yards and two touchdowns. His performance included a four-yard scoring strike to Anthony Tyus III early in the fourth quarter and a fifteen-yard connection with Ja’seem Reed in the second quarter. A critical twenty-six-yard run on third-and-14 sustained the final drive, setting up his game-winning rush.
Carolina head coach Dave Canales praised the resilience shown by his squad during the back-and-forth contest. He emphasized that the team practiced specifically for late-game scenarios and credited King for keeping plays alive through both passing and running. The coaching staff viewed the performance as a validation of their preparation, noting that King executed whatever was necessary to move the chains under pressure.
On the opposing sideline, Arizona’s Carson Beck made an impressive professional debut despite not being the team’s primary signal-caller. The third-round selection from Miami completed fifteen of nineteen passes for one hundred eighty-eight yards and a touchdown. Beck led a ninety-eight-yard scoring drive that featured precise deep throws, including a thirty-five-yard gain on third down and a forty-nine-yard completion to Jalen Brooks. He finished the sequence with a five-yard touchdown pass to Simi Fehoko.
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur noted that Beck handled the national stage with composure, treating the high-profile environment as just another game. This mindset aligns with Beck’s collegiate experience, which included leading Miami to a national championship appearance. LaFleur indicated that Beck could see playing time if he continues to develop under the new coaching regime, especially given the competitive nature of their division.
The Cardinals’ quarterback situation remains complex, with veteran Jacoby Brissett established as the starter and Gardner Minshew serving as the backup. The team faces a challenging NFC West division containing defending Super Bowl champions and strong contenders like the Rams and 49ers. Consequently, expectations for immediate success are tempered, creating an environment where developmental players like Beck might find opportunities to contribute.
Carolina’s quarterback hierarchy places King behind starter Bryce Young and veteran Kenny Pickett. Pickett began the game, completing eight of eleven passes for sixty-two yards before handing duties over to King. The Panthers finished last season with an eight-win record, securing the NFC South title before falling to the Rams in the wildcard round. This preseason performance offers insight into the depth available behind Young.
The event also served as a tribute to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, which includes Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Adam Vinatieri, Larry Fitzgerald, and Luke Kuechly. Cardinals players wore red shirts bearing Fitzgerald’s number eleven during warmups, honoring his legacy with the franchise. Brissett and tight end Trey McBride visited the museum to view jerseys commemorating their record-breaking achievements from the previous season.
Looking ahead, both teams will use remaining preseason games to evaluate roster depth and refine strategies before the regular season begins. The performance of reserve quarterbacks like King and Beck provides valuable data for coaches assessing talent beyond their primary starters. As training camps conclude, these early indicators may influence final roster decisions and game-day lineup choices.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗Panthers rally past Cardinals behind undrafted rookie QB in NFL preseason opener
