4 key ways Panthers QB Baker Mayfield has impressed this offseason
By Dean Jones
How has Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield impressed during an eventful offseason in a different environment?
After a turbulent offseason period for Baker Mayfield, he is now fully focused on leading the Carolina Panthers during the upcoming campaign. A road to redemption is well within the quarterback’s capabilities, with an added sense of motivation there for all to see after being written off by the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2018.
This is another massive roll of the dice at the most important position in football. The Panthers couldn’t justify moving forward with Sam Darnold after a poor first year, so getting Mayfield for minimal compensation could be the key that unlocks this offense to bigger things next season.
Carolina couldn’t have asked much more from Mayfield this summer. Something that saw the signal-caller emerge comfortably from his competition with Darnold and installed further hope that this is the right guy at the right time.
With this in mind, here are four key ways Mayfield has impressed during the offseason.
Key Way No. 1
Baker Mayfield’s smooth integration into the Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers bided their time to ensure they got a good deal for Baker Mayfield. A new approach after overpaying for Sam Darnold and handing Teddy Bridgewater a lucrative deal more than the going rate.
This had the potential to make things complicated for Mayfield in terms of adjustment. However, he’s integrated superbly into the locker room and the player also deserves credit for picking up offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s complex system in a short space of time.
Mayfield took the bull by the horns to emerge as a valued contributor and team leader. But getting it done when things get serious is the biggest remaining stumbling block.