The 2026 NFL preseason opens with the Carolina Panthers rallying to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in the Hall of Fame Game. Multiple outlets report that rookie quarterbacks Carson Beck and Haynes King draw attention, with Beck keeping the Cardinals in the game through the passing attack. The Panthers, however, seize control late and complete a comeback that comes down to the final moments. Haynes King, an undrafted rookie quarterback making his debut, is highlighted for delivering the game’s defining play. In the closing seconds, King runs in on the final play, scoring a rushing touchdown to seal the win. The sequence is described across reports as a last-play finish that overturns the Cardinals’ late lead or keeps the game within striking distance until the final drive. While Beck is credited for sharp passing and sustained competitiveness, the Panthers’ late rally and King’s decisive run are consistently cited as the reasons Carolina escapes with a one-point win in a closely contested matchup.