3 reasons the Carolina Panthers could show interest in Baker Mayfield

Carolina Panthers need to take a chance on another QB

This season isn’t the year to draft a quarterback. There are simply too few options.

While Carson Strong and Kenny Pickett come to mind, both are prospects that need time to develop. Cutting Sam Darnold would result in an $18.85 million dead cap hit – the same amount as his actual salary after the Carolina Panthers triggered his fifth-year option.

Releasing Darnold seems highly unlikely and finding a taker in a potential trade seems even less likely. Who wants to pay him that amount with the tape he has put together this season?

Darnold is likely to be the backup quarterback for the Panthers next season, or Matt Rhule might even decide to give him another starting chance, which seems unfathomable.

The former No. 3 overall selection’s presence on the roster means Carolina must attempt to develop a young quarterback with only Darnold behind him or bring in a bridge player for a season.

Teddy Bridgewater had a worse roster playing competitively. So we know this team can succeed with even a capable quarterback.

Enter Baker Mayfield.

When healthy, Mayfield would easily be the best quarterback the Panthers have started since Cam Newton’s decline. At his best, he is a game manager with a swagger who can distribute to Carolina’s weapons and support a defense that has been given far too many challenges from Darnold and Cam Newton to show their true capabilities.