What must Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield show when the team heads down to Spartanburg for their annual training camp?
After so much uncertainty surrounding his future, it will be a relief for Baker Mayfield to finally get himself back down to football activities when the Carolina Panthers head to Wofford College for their annual training camp next week.
His high-profile trade from the Cleveland Browns could go either way. But there is no doubt this represents the best chance for the Panthers to win right now with Sam Darnold’s production offering little encouragement and Matt Corral more of a long-term solution rather than an instant fix to an ongoing complication.
Mayfield should be extra motivated to prove his doubters wrong after being cast aside in favor of Deshaun Watson. He has the tools providing everything goes well in camp, but there is a lot for the quarterback to take on in such a short space of time.
With this in mind, here are four things Mayfield must show throughout what’s sure to be an intense few weeks in Spartanburg.
Number 1
Baker Mayfield must show no ill effects from his shoulder injury
Playing from Week 2 onwards with a torn labrum was creditable and a testament to how much Baker Mayfield cared about helping his team. Even though it was probably unwise given how the Oklahoma product regressed and forced the Cleveland Browns into a different direction.
Thankfully for the Carolina Panthers, this was on his non-throwing shoulder and Mayfield should be all systems go for training camp. However, it’s something to monitor closely as the signal-caller looks to hit the ground running in a new environment.
If Mayfield shows no ill effects from his offseason surgery, then expectations will increase. A hope that Carolina’s fanbase hasn’t had in quite some time.