Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield has won much more than the starting job after a sensational transition to the organization.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the Carolina Panthers will name Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback sooner rather than later. A recent report from Jeff Howe of The Athletic confirmed this notion after their joint practices with the New England Patriots, which began in a rocky fashion for the former Oklahoma standout but ended on an extremely positive note during the second session.
Mayfield’s high-profile trade from the Cleveland Browns obviously comes with some risk. He’s getting a moderate pass for a down year in 2021 after playing through a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, but one cannot ignore how quickly he was cast aside by the team that drafted him No. 1 overall once they had a shot at landing controversial signal-caller Deshaun Watson.
After a turbulent offseason and a positive meeting with the Panthers, Mayfield decided this was the right move to galvanize his career. It’s been a crash course in picking things up, but after blowing away some cobwebs over the first week of the team’s training camp, things couldn’t have gone much better for the Heisman Trophy winner.
Many saw this competition as a foregone conclusion from the outset. Sam Darnold had a decent camp, but there was no way that Matt Rhule was going to be his job on last season’s big arrival given how poorly he’s performed during his four-year stint in the league.
Mayfield is the starter. The player that provides the Panthers with a better chance to win after so much underachievement since their memorable Super Bowl run in 2015.
However, Mayfield has won much more than the No. 1 gig in Carolina.
Carolina Panthers have growing confidence in Baker Mayfield
An impressive start to the summer has installed further confidence from the team’s fanbase. Some criticized the move and remain skeptical, but the player is slowly winning people around with fierce determination and swagger that is not going unnoticed by his teammates for good measure.
Robbie Anderson, who was vocal in his displeasure about the Panthers’ pursuit of Mayfield, is now fully on-board with his new quarterback. The pair were seen working together after practice in camp and the wide receiver was glowing with his praise regarding the leadership and energy brought by the fifth-year-pro in a relatively short space of time.
"“He’s smart. He’s picked up the offense, like, rapidly. I like his energy a lot. I like that a lot about him. Like his leadership. And his confidence.”"
Everyone heard the stories coming from Cleveland about Mayfield being viewed as childish and immature. This also came with claims about his study habits and overall ability to inspire those around him.
There is a long way to go, obviously. But none of that has been seen since his switch to the Panthers.
If anything, Mayfield has quashed these claims in no uncertain terms. Perhaps knowing that third chances for quarterbacks drafted high don’t come along all that often.
Just ask Darnold.
Mayfield’s calm approach, focusing on the team, and remaining professional with all the rumors surrounding his character have served him well. But the signal-caller is all too aware that the Panthers will only go as far as he takes them in 2022.
"“To be honest with you, I haven’t been worried about when the decision is going to be made or any of that, timeline-wise. Just, how can we be playing the best ball at the end of camp and just handle it correctly? I’ve said it before: the locker room and the organization is going to go as the QB room goes, and as long as we’re leading correctly and we’re supporting each other, good things are going to happen.”"
Confidence is key here. Mayfield has generated a significant amount of that from teammates, coaches, and fans since joining the Panthers, but all that matters is whether or not he can produce when it comes to the crunch every Sunday.
The weapons are there and the offensive line should also improve. Mayfield is also familiar with offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s demands – another big hurdle that was overcome effectively this offseason.
Fans are right to err on the side of caution. Especially after the Panthers’ recent woes at the most pivotal position in football.
But they might just have something here after all.