4 major observations from Baker Mayfield’s second Panthers practice

Baker Mayfield finishes Carolina Panthers practice strongly

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.

Baker Mayfield ended the second day of practice on a real high. The quarterback was virtually flawless in the red-zone drill and looked increasingly comfortable working with those he’ll be throwing to on a weekly basis during the regular season.

If Mayfield was a little erratic midway through practice, it didn’t seem to both him that much based on the conclusion. Shrugging off a bad play and starting with a fresh mindset will serve the player well – something that Sam Darnold couldn’t do en route to a disastrous 2021 season.

What’s important for Mayfield is building on this impressive end to his second practice. There will be some bumps in the road to come as he familiarizes himself with Ben McAdoo’s system, but his performance level on Thursday left some hope this can be the answer to improved fortunes in 2022.

Mayfield is professional enough to know there is a long way to go. And the Panthers are in no rush to name him as their starter despite the clear need to remove Darnold completely from the equation.

It’s easy to get carried away – fans certainly did when Mayfield threw his first interception on Day 1.  But if he keeps progressing like this, then the trade could pay off when it’s all said and done.