What are some crucial observations to take from the Carolina Panthers finally getting their hands on quarterback Baker Mayfield?
At long last, the Carolina Panthers have their man.
After a painstaking offseason full of speculation linking Baker Mayfield with a move to Carolina, a deal was finally confirmed with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday evening. This cost the Panthers a conditional fifth-round selection in 2023 for a quarterback that was taken No. 1 overall just four years ago.
The Panthers will only pay $5 million of Mayfield’s salary, which could rise to $8.5 million if the Oklahoma product meets some incentives. Something those in power within the organization will be hoping for during a critical 2022 campaign for head coach Matt Rhule.
With this in mind, here are five crucial observations from the Panthers finally pulling the trigger on Mayfield.
Crucial Observation No. 1
Baker Mayfield makes the Carolina Panthers better
Much has been made about Baker Mayfield’s disappointing 2021 season. Something that means the stakes could not be higher for the signal-caller on the Carolina Panthers next season.
Mayfield’s shoulder surgery didn’t help matters, obviously. But just how much this impacted performance is the big question that many don’t really know the answer to.
There is no doubt Mayfield makes the Panthers better at a time when they need consistent quarterback play to get them over the hump. How much remains to be seen, but this provides some hope that wasn’t there previously.
Carolina Panthers close the door on Cam Newton
It always seemed like a long shot for Cam Newton to return for another go-around with the Carolina Panthers. Now that the team has landed Baker Mayfield after months of rumors, it appears as if the door has been officially closed for good.
Newton sensationally agreed to return before Carolina’s game at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10 after Sam Darnold went out through injury. Something most never thought possible considering the messy circumstances and false promises surrounding his release in 2020.
Things didn’t go according to plan, which was not entirely unexpected considering how late he came into the fold and having almost no time to pick up the playbook or develop chemistry with his teammates. It was also clear that Matt Rhule was always going to go with Darnold once the signal-caller was cleared for a return.
Carolina has dangled the carrot regarding another deal for Newton this offseason. General manager Scott Fitterer stated that the lines of communication remain open without anything concrete emerging over free agency and before the draft.
This is obviously the end for Newton as a player in Carolina, one suspects. But the former NFL MVP deserves a fitting send-off after everything he’s given the organization.
Matt Corral set for redshirt rookie season with the Carolina Panthers
Acquiring Baker Mayfield will obviously have a ripple effect on those already on the Carolina Panthers. In particular, it’s going to have big implications on rookie quarterback Matt Corral.
The Panthers moved up to land the Ole Miss product at No. 94 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft after a concerning slide down the pecking order. Corral’s leadership, ability to make plays out of nothing, and lightning-fast release made him an intriguing pickup, but he’ll probably have to settle for a redshirt rookie campaign unless Mayfield suffers an injury at any stage.
This might not be a bad thing, in all honesty.
Matt Rhule stated that the signal-caller has a lot of hard work ahead in pursuit of becoming a long-term starter. Learning from the sidelines and working on refining his exciting skill set in the coming months should serve him well.
One could argue that the Panthers should have given Corral a chance. But if they thought he was ready right out of the gate, then this trade doesn’t happen.
Obviously, this is a complication if the Panthers wanted to take a quarterback from next year’s draft class, which is set to be exceptional. Seeing what Corral could do in a competitive environment before making that judgment call would be beneficial, but the urgency to win now has prevented this scenario from taking place.
Carolina Panthers saw no future with Sam Darnold
Despite the positive reports emerging from early offseason workouts regarding Sam Darnold, it’s been evident throughout the spring that the Carolina Panthers were going to do whatever it takes to find an upgrade under center. Once the financial terms were agreed with the Cleveland Browns, the primary decision-makers did not hesitate to get Baker Mayfield on board.
The Panthers sacrificed three draft picks to secure Darnold from the New York Jets. This came with no upturn in production from the former USC standout and Carolina now has a real problem on their hands regarding what to do with someone who is fully guaranteed $18.85 million next season.
Darnold probably feels aggrieved. There was no stable offensive line to work behind and the signal-caller rarely had Christian McCaffrey alongside him in the backfield to further decrease his chances of thriving.
Again, this has a lot to do with the amount at stake for Matt Rhule next season. Any further failings would likely come with a shift in direction from team owner David Tepper and betting his job on Darnold was never really an option.
Just what the future hold for Darnold is unclear. But whatever comes next for the player, it won’t be in Carolina after their decision to secure the services of Mayfield.
Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns is now must-see TV
Nobody was happier about the Carolina Panthers trading for Baker Mayfield than the NFL’s schedule-makers. As fortune would have it, the quarterback will lock horns with the team that cast him aside in Week 1 at Bank of America Stadium, which has now become a must-watch for even the most casual football fans.
Mayfield will be keen to get one over on his former employers and get off to the best possible start in Carolina. But the Cleveland Browns will know exactly how to minimize his production after working closely with the player from the moment he was drafted.
It’s highly unlikely that this game will feature Deshaun Watson, who could be subject to a lengthy league suspension relating to sexual misconduct. Something that gives the Panthers half a chance of beginning the 2022 campaign with a much-needed morale boost.
This only adds to the level of intrigue surrounding Mayfield, who is one of the most polarizing quarterbacks in the league. It will tell us plenty about his character and whether or not the former Heisman Trophy winner can get this team trending in the right direction, which has been a long time coming after some seriously questionable personnel moves at the most important position on the field.
Whether Mayfield adds his name to the list remains to be seen. But it’s going to be exciting to see things unfold, that’s for sure.