While everyone was talking about Carson Beck starring in the early moments of his first preseason NFL game of the year, it was another rookie quarterback who stole the show on Thursday night.
Haynes King, a 25-year-old undrafted rookie who started his college career at Texas A&M before moving over to Georgia Tech, put on a show in the second half of the Panthers’ comeback victory over the Cardinals.
“It was a dream come true,” King said postgame after he plunged into the endzone to score a game-winning rushing touchdown as time expired to win 33-30. “Growing up, you hear about all these first-ballot Hall of Famers, and to see some of them walking in front of you before the game is pretty amazing. And to be able to showcase your talent in front of them is a dream come true.”
King was a senior last season when he was ACC Player of the Year while at Georgia Tech in his sixth season playing college ball – and no one saw that level of success coming in his first taste of professional action.
The former Yellow Jackets star threw for 180 yards and two touchdowns while completing 61.7 percent of his passes (21-for-34). He added three carries for 39 yards, including the game-winning touchdown run as time expired.
“I’m very excited that I got this opportunity, and I feel like I went out there and operated at a high level,” King said. “I allowed everybody around me to play better as well.”
After he dove into the endzone and scored the winning touchdown, the entire Panthers bench stormed the field to celebrate with King’s dramatic moment.
“Haynes is a fantastic athlete and he just finds a way to win, and that’s what he did,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “Really proud of the group and also proud of the whole team celebrating. That’s something we pride ourselves on, celebrating how hard we work on these situations and then watching it come alive.”
King is currently competing for a roster spot as backup Kenny Pickett is pretty much locked in as the second string behind starter Bryce Young.
Pickett, a former first-round draft pick of the Steelers, signed a one-year $7.5 million contract that includes $4 million guaranteed.
Pickett started the game Thursday night and completed 8-of-11 passes for 62 yards.
