3 reasons Baker Mayfield could be the Carolina Panthers’ consolation prize
By Nick Halden
Baker Mayfield could fit the Carolina Panthers’ culture
Baker Mayfield is fun to watch. Whether or not you think he is an elite quarterback, every NFL fan around the league has an opinion on the young signal-caller.
He’s interesting and engaging – the opposite of Sam Darnold. But whether that is enough for the Carolina Panthers to pull the trigger if they miss out on Deshaun Watson is another matter.
Mayfield has a swagger and toughness that Carolina fans will appreciate. While he is a better thrower than some Panthers quarterbacks of the past, the former Oklahoma star also has a lot of similarities to Cam Newton regarding risk-taking that gets fans on the edge of their seats – to a lesser extent, obviously.
This trait brings out the best and the worst in Mayfield. But it no doubt makes him fun to watch.
The last time we saw Mayfield healthy he was in the playoffs and leading an impressive Cleveland Browns team that hadn’t sniffed success in over a decade. The No. 1 overall selection in 2018 came in and changed the culture and the fans adored him for it.
He would do the same in Carolina on a roster that has playmakers who would pair well with a quarterback who is going to be looking to prove a lot of people wrong next season.