4 major observations from Baker Mayfield’s eighth Panthers practice

What do the Carolina Panthers want from Baker Mayfield?

The Carolina Panthers couldn’t have asked for much more from Baker Mayfield throughout camp. Even if they are insistent on dragging this competition for the duration of their time in Spartanburg, one suspects.

After some serious mismanagement and failed personnel moves at the most important position on the field, any further errors in judgment will not be well received. Head coach Matt Rhule stated what exactly he’s looking for from the quarterbacks before officially confirming their starter and it appears as if Mayfield is ticking all the boxes based on what we’ve seen this week.

"“We try to look at it straight across the board over time. It comes down to who can function within the scheme and has great scheme mastery, who has production, who leads the team, who takes care of the football, and then who manages the situations. Great quarterbacks show up in the red zone. They show up in two-minute. They show up on third down. So we’re going to look at that over a long time and see, but those are the areas we’re looking at.”"

This is the Panthers, so anything could happen. But from production and influence standpoints, Mayfield looks like the frontrunner and the quarterback that should lead the team in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns.

Rhule is obviously tied to Darnold after gambling on the USC product last spring. It’s also worth remembering that Carolina is on the hook for $18.85 million fully guaranteed where he’s concerned, which could cloud their thought process when it’s all said and done.

Darnold always looks good in the structured setting that camp provides. But there is little doubt Mayfield boasts better credentials in a competitive environment.