4 major observations from Baker Mayfield’s 11th Panthers practice

What were some major observations from Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield’s 11th practice with the team in training camp? 

After kicking off the week with another exceptional performance, Baker Mayfield is rapidly emerging in the battle to become the Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback in 2022. This represented a great outcome for the team, who need inspiration under center after a series of failed moves and questionable decisions hindered their progress since head coach Matt Rhule was appointed in 2020.

Mayfield was acquired relatively cheaply from the Cleveland Browns, who took on a substantial amount of dead-cap to get the deal over the line. Things couldn’t have gone much better for the former No. 1 overall selection so far and Rhule also conceded how good he’s been despite his obvious connection to Sam Darnold.

The Panthers don’t appear that keen on officially confirming Mayfield as the starter just yet. Rhule and his staff want to see how things develop during joint practices with the New England Patriots, with the ex-Baylor man also stating he’d like to get all his quarterbacks some action during their preseason opener at the Washington Commanders on Saturday.

Without further ado, we picked out some major observations from Mayfield’s 11th practice with the Panthers at Wofford College in Spartanburg.

Major Observation No. 1

Baker Mayfield’s noticeable energy

While Sam Darnold has had a decent camp, there is much less risk-taking from the signal-caller throughout drills. Most of his completions are aimed at tight ends and running backs, with his targets to wideouts normally in between the numbers.

It is much different when Baker Mayfield is under center. There is an energy and tempo that hasn’t been seen within the Carolina Panthers for some time and the signal-caller is also developing chemistry with those tasked with making plays for good measure.

This is something that goes relatively unnoticed in the stat-driven era, but is important nonetheless.

Carolina Panthers OC highlights the need for prolonged tape

Before the Carolina Panthers participated in an intense practice, which was the last for the first team unit, offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo took to the podium to lift the lid on how the quarterback situation is currently unfolding.

While it appears as if Baker Mayfield is running away with it after another exceptional showing on Tuesday, McAdoo was keen to highlight the importance of prolonged film before making any judgments on who the No. 1 will be moving forward.

This could be something and nothing at the same time. But one thing that really came across was how impressed McAdoo’s been with the approach of every signal-caller vying for depth chart position.

"“Those guys are out there battling. They’re out there competing. We want to give everybody an opportunity to go out there and put their best football on tape, and we’ll let it play itself out.”"

Much has been made of McAdoo’s comments about Mayfield before he was selected No. 1 overall in 2018. However, that’s well in the past and now that he’s seen the quarterback for himself, it’s clear this perception has altered dramatically.

And in truth, that was always half the battle for Mayfield in pursuit of making this opportunity count.

Carolina Panthers getting true command from Baker Mayfield

Picking things up in a short space of time is nothing new for Baker Mayfield. This is something he’s had to overcome both in college and through various offensive coordinators since entering the league, which has stood him in good stead upon joining the Carolina Panthers.

Mayfield looked in complete command throughout a grueling 2.5-hour session, which was the last featuring the first and second units before Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium on Thursday. It was a memorable day for the offense overall, but the Oklahoma product is now far more comfortable within Ben McAdoo’s scheme and something he can build upon before going up against his former team in Week 1.

Aside from his blossoming connections with Rashard Higgins, D.J. Moore, and Robbie Anderson, Mayfield is also looking confident in pre-snap recognitions and getting off his first read in pursuit of moving the chains or finding the end zone.

Again, it’s a relatively small sample size – especially as Mayfield is still splitting reps with Sam Darnold – but the aura surrounding Carolina’s new acquisition is growing. Although the defense is coming up against a better player under center they’ve had since Matt Rhule joined the team, they’ll be better off for days like this.

There is now a prolonged series of outstanding practices from Mayfield. Something that can hopefully transition into the regular season during a crossroads campaign for the Panthers in 2022.

Baker Mayfield’s production during Carolina Panthers’ red-zone drills

One notable takeaway from Baker Mayfield’s production on Tuesday was his lights-out performance in red-zone situations. The quarterback looked extremely composed manning the plate, with the Carolina Panthers deploying ‘live’ situations that enabled the defense to go full speed in pursuit of making things as difficult as possible for the offense.

Working behind the majority of what should be the first-team offensive line, Mayfield was outstanding. There were multiple touchdowns secured by the Heisman Trophy winner throughout, with the likes of Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble, D.J. Moore, and Christian McCaffrey benefitting from his distribution under center.

There is a fearless nature to Mayfield that’s hard not to love. It can be his undoing at times, but head coach Matt Rhule was impressed by what he saw from the quarterbacks before the third and fourth string take center stage on the final official day in Spartanburg.

"“I was really pleased by our offensive execution today, especially in the red zone. That first (session) was live. So there was no, ‘I would have had him.’ To end (practice) that was 30ish seconds, one timeout and need a touchdown to win the game. So both quarterbacks got us in the end zone. That was impressive.”"

The Panthers listed Mayfield and Sam Darnold as joint QB1 on their first depth chart of the offseason. But there is now an undisputed gap between the two heading into Carolina’s three preseason games and joint practices with the New England Patriots.