The Sneaky Way Haynes King Could Help Bryce Young, Panthers Offense

Hall of Fame game standout can bring Carolina added versatility

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Exactly one week after the NFL Hall of Fame game, Carolina Panthers fans are still buzzing about one player. QB Haynes King made the most of his first real NFL opportunity, posting 180 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and 1 rushing score that won the game as time expired.

The throwing yards were a fantastic sign of King's progression as a complete QB. Coming out of Georgia Tech, King was known as a great rushing QB, but not a reliable enough passer. King made all sorts of different throws that show he's improved as a passer.

The only issue is that the Panthers already have their QB. Bryce Young is entering his fourth year and has major stakes behind it. A potential multi-year, lucrative contract extension is in play for Young this season. Carolina is playing out Young's fifth-year option and seeing if he really has the goods to lead a successful franchise.

With Young as the solidified QB1 for the Panthers, King's status with the team is in limbo. Even if he's not throwing passes, King can still help Carolina in a big way.

Haynes King Can Thrive In a 'Taysom Hill' Type Role

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported that Carolina could end up using King not as a pure QB, but as a dynamic threat out of both the backfield and in the slot to catch passes.

That type of hybrid player should sound familiar to Panthers fans, as it mirrors the role that Taysom Hill played with the division rival Saints.

Panthers have no 3rd/4th and short answer

toyed with using Mitchell Evans in it last year

Haynes King offers that, at the minimum https://t.co/G4JSZR6rDV

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) August 10, 2026

That being said, King still excels as a rusher and has elite top speed for a QB. At the NFL Scouting Combine, King clocked in at a 4.46-second 40-yard dash. That's higher than Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Patrick Mahomes, and other elite QBs when they entered the NFL.

Speed like that doesn't occur often with QBs, but when it does, and there are times when Carolina needs some extra speed on the field, King has the perfect potential.

There's potential for Dave Canales and OC Brad Idzik to run some creative formations where King ends up with the ball as a rusher or receiver. Potentially a sweep in the backfield, or even direct snaps to King while Young is still on the field, to surprise the defense.

At least early on, in the limited snaps King does see, short-yardage situations are where he'll see the ball. Another way to use him would be to sub Young out, bring in an extra tight end, and have King rush himself with an extra blocker and King's bigger, physical frame.

Outside of the Panthers staff, no one really knows what it will look like, but Haynes King is clearly an NFL athlete in some capacity.