4 major observations from Baker Mayfield’s sixth Panthers practice

Baker Mayfield tightened his grip on Carolina Panthers’ QB1 spot

It was another day where Baker Mayfield outperformed Sam Darnold en route to winning the starting job. If Monday was creating separation between the two, Tuesday’s session was tightening the grip on QB1.

There just seems to be something different when Mayfield is under center. The urgency increases – as does the production – which is exactly why the Carolina Panthers traded for the Heisman Trophy winner in the first place.

The Panthers will keep Darnold around and give him reps. But the time for Mayfield to take charge is not too far away if this trend continues throughout the second week.

Many on social media have deemed the winner of this quarterback battle as a foregone conclusion before it began. But in truth, Mayfield is winning the job outright and leaving no doubt thanks to some eye-catching progression and improved production with every passing practice.

Carolina got good value for Mayfield in the end. Biding their time safe in the knowledge that the Cleveland Browns would cave at some point.

Doing it in competitive games will be a far sterner challenge. But the No. 1 overall selection in 2018 couldn’t have done much more over the first six practice sessions following the trade.