4 key observations from Baker Mayfield’s first Panthers presser

No awkwardness between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold

With Baker Mayfield’s arrival, fresh doubts are now on Sam Darnold’s future with the Carolina Panthers. Last season’s marquee trade acquisition simply didn’t do enough to win the job long-term and left those in power hunting vigorously for a better alternative throughout an eventful offseason.

The Panthers are stating that it will be a competition between Mayfield and Darnold in training camp, with Matt Corral seen as a development project until further notice. That could lead to some awkwardness between two of the top-three overall selections in 2018, but they’ve already been in contact with a view to hitting the ground running at Wofford College later this month.

Mayfield stated that Darnold was one of the first players to get in touch following the trade. The duo will also be arranging a get-together with the team’s primary weapons in the passing game in Charlotte before camp.

"“Sam just wants to win. That’s just who he is. Our personalities might be different, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have the same goal, and that’s to win and help this team out. I’m really looking forward to being in that room with him and just challenging each other, and elevating each other.”"

This might not be a competition when it’s all said and done, but keeping a sense of urgency between the quarterbacks could bring the best out of both this summer. This won’t hurt the Panthers in the slightest and it could see another team come in for Darnold before the campaign if the reports are good about his progress.