4 reasons why Baker Mayfield is the Panthers best QB option in 2022
By Dean Jones
Speculation remains surrounding a potential trade for Baker Mayfield, who could be the best quarterback option available to the Carolina Panthers in 2022.
Despite there being a sense of urgency for the Carolina Panthers to get a deal done with the Cleveland Browns for Baker Mayfield, nothing has materialized as yet as the team continues to do its “due diligence” on the quarterback, according to Josina Anderson of USA Today Sports.
Mayfield is clearly surplus to requirements on the Browns no matter what happens with newly acquired signal-caller Deshaun Watson, who could face a season-long suspension from the league per a recent report from the Washington Post. However, with no robust market for the Oklahoma product, the Panthers represent the best chance of redeeming himself right away providing a compromise can be reached between both parties.
Carolina has made no secret of its desire to find an upgrade under center this offseason. Mayfield might also have enough motivation in the final year of his rookie deal to finally get this franchise trending in the right direction at long last.
With this in mind, here are four reasons why Mayfield represents the Panthers’ best option at the most important position on the field in 2022.
Reason No. 1
Carolina Panthers have work to do with Matt Corral
There remains some real hope that Matt Corral can become the long-term answer at quarterback. The Carolina Panthers thought a lot of the player during their pre-draft assessment process and struck with conviction to end his slide down the pecking order at No. 94 overall this spring.
Corral left a positive impression throughout offseason workouts. But head coach Matt Rhule indicated that there remains a significant amount of work ahead before the team can feel confident about throwing him in at the deep end.
Expecting Corral to immediately save the Panthers is unrealistic. Acquiring Mayfield via trade gives them a far better chance of producing better performances on offense in the short term.