Haynes King wins Hall of Fame Game for Panthers with final-play touchdown
Undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown on the final play to give the Carolina Panthers a 33-30 Hall of Fame Game win over the Arizona Cardinals, sparking debate over his future with the team.
Haynes King is an undrafted rookie quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. He scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown on the final play of the 2026 Hall of Fame Game, giving Carolina a 33-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals in his NFL debut.
Haynes King scored a rushing touchdown from the 5-yard line on the final play to give the Carolina Panthers a 33-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game. The undrafted rookie quarterback's last-second score settled a contest that went down to the wire. King, who played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets after high school football in Longview, Texas, was not selected in the NFL draft. He signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent in 2026. The Hall of Fame Game, which reports say served as the 2026 NFL preseason opener, was his NFL debut, according to those reports. Fellow rookie quarterback Carson Beck also performed well in the game. The performance has already shifted the conversation around King. According to reports, his showing in his first professional game has prompted discussion of how Carolina should handle him going forward. For a player who entered the league without a draft pick attached to his name, a game-winning touchdown is a strong first argument for a roster spot.
King's final-play touchdown seals 33-30 win over Arizona
The Carolina Panthers edged the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in the Hall of Fame Game, with the outcome decided on the final play. Undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King took it in himself, rushing for a touchdown from the 5-yard line as time ran out to give Carolina the win.
The game served as the 2026 NFL preseason opener, according to reports, and it doubled as King's NFL debut. He made the most of the stage. With the score tight and no time left, his five-yard run settled a contest that had swung back and forth, turning what might have been a routine exhibition into a dramatic finish.
King was not the only rookie passer to impress. Fellow first-year quarterback Carson Beck also performed well in the game, giving the preseason opener an unusual storyline: two undrafted-era newcomers at the position showing poise on a national stage. For King, the decisive touchdown was the defining moment of his first appearance in a professional uniform, capping a 33-30 victory that Carolina will remember far longer than most preseason results.
From Longview to an undrafted deal with Carolina
King's route to the NFL began in Longview, Texas, where he played high school football, according to reports. From there he moved into the college game, first with the Texas A&M Aggies and later with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, giving him experience in two major programmes before he turned professional.
That college career was not enough to secure him a place in the NFL draft. When the selections were made, King's name was not called, and he entered the league by a different door. In 2026 he signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent, joining the organisation without the status or guarantees that come with a draft pick.
It is a well-travelled path for quarterbacks on the fringes of roster construction, and one that leaves little margin for error. Undrafted players typically arrive at training camp fighting for attention behind established names, with preseason games offering their clearest opportunity to state a case. For King, that opportunity came in the Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals, the contest that served as the 2026 NFL preseason opener, according to reports. It was his first appearance in a Panthers uniform.
King played high school football in Longview, Texas.
King played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies.
King played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
King signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent after not being selected in the NFL draft.
King made his NFL debut in the Hall of Fame Game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals.
King scored a rushing touchdown from the 5-yard line on the final play to win the game for Carolina.
The Carolina Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in the Hall of Fame Game.
King's standout performance prompted discussion of how Carolina should handle him going forward.
What the debut means for King's place in Carolina
Reports suggest the performance has already shifted the conversation around King. According to coverage of the game, his display in Canton has prompted discussion of how Carolina should handle him going forward — a notable turn for a player who arrived only as an undrafted free agent. That discussion remains exactly that: reported talk, not a decision, and the Panthers have not indicated any change to his status.
What is clear is limited to the headline moment. King's full individual statistics from the game, beyond the winning touchdown, have not been detailed, so it is not yet possible to judge how complete his performance was across the night. Fellow rookie quarterback Carson Beck also played well, which means King was not the only young passer making a case for himself.
The bigger questions are unanswered. Whether King makes Carolina's regular-season roster, and in what role, remains unknown. The terms of his contract with the Panthers have not been disclosed. Nor is it clear why he went undrafted in the first place, given his college career at Texas A&M and Georgia Tech. For now, his debut has bought him attention and a debate about his future — nothing more concrete than that.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Haynes King, the Carolina Panthers quarterback?
Haynes King is an American professional football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies and later the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Before college, he played high school football in Longview, Texas, according to reports. King was not selected in the NFL draft and signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent in 2026.
What did Haynes King do in the Hall of Fame Game?
King scored a rushing touchdown from the 5-yard line on the final play to win the game for Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 33-30. King and fellow rookie quarterback Carson Beck both performed well in the game. Reports describe it as a standout performance that prompted discussion of how Carolina should handle him going forward.
Who won the Hall of Fame Game between the Panthers and Cardinals?
The Carolina Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in the Hall of Fame Game. The game was decided on the final play, when rookie quarterback Haynes King scored a rushing touchdown from the 5-yard line to win it for Carolina.
Was Haynes King drafted into the NFL?
No. Haynes King was not selected in the NFL draft. He signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2026. The briefing does not explain why he went undrafted despite his college career at Texas A&M and Georgia Tech.
Where did Haynes King play college football?
King played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies and, afterward, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Reports indicate he played high school football in Longview, Texas, before reaching the college level. Details about when he transferred or what he accomplished at each school are not yet known.
Compiled from reporting by 7 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
