Bryce Young couldn’t be happier as the Carolina Panthers kicked off the 2026 season in dramatic style.
On Thursday, a relative unknown announced himself to the world during the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at the iconic Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Undrafted quarterback Haynes King scrambled for a five-yard touchdown as time expired, lifting Carolina to a 33-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
The dash, completed with a dive over the goal line, capped a 13-play, 65-yard drive just minutes after Arizona had taken the lead.
King was the second quarterback used by the Panthers. Kenny Pickett started and went 8 of 11 with 62 yards, while undisputed starter Bryce Young took the night off.
The broadcast captured Carolina players swarming King after his game-winning touchdown, and the official NFL X account posted a video of Young, who was seen smiling ear to ear.
“It’s not just me. There are 10 other guys out there doing it,” King told reporters after the game.
“The lineman with the run-game and pass blocking as well, allowing me to give it to the guys to make plays. I feel like we are going out there as a selfless group as well.
“I’m very excited that I got this opportunity, and I feel like I went out there and operated at a high level. I feel like I affected a lot of people, improved and allowed everyone to play better around me as well.”
The Cardinals sat out their top two quarterbacks, Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II.
2026 third-rounder Carson Beck stole the headlines, going 15 of 19 for 188 yards and a touchdown, while Kedon Slovis finished 9-for-10 for 106 yards and the one score.
“I just try to do the best I can do. I don’t try to compare myself to anyone else,” King added.
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“I feel like he [Beck] played a really good game today, but I try to be where my feet are and go from there.”
Who is Haynes King? Carolina’s unlikely hero
Coming out of high school, King committed to Texas A&M to play college football, but his tenure was marked by injury.
After entering two games as backup in his red-shirt year, King was handed the keys in 2021.
However, in his second start, King fractured his right leg and would miss the remainder of the season.
He would go on to make five starts in 2022 before entering the transfer portal, and signing with Georgia Tech.
In his debut season with Georgia, King led the Yellow Jackets to a 6–6 regular season record and a win in the Gasparilla Bowl against UCF.
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King finished 10th in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting after a 9–3 regular season that included notable wins over Clemson and ACC champion Duke.
He would also take home ACC player of the year and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.
He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Panthers in 2026.
