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.
An increased belief within the Carolina Panthers locker room
Sam Darnold had a solid camp and deserves credit for the way he conducted himself in the face of adversity this offseason. But there was just something different about Baker Mayfield from the moment he joined the Carolina Panthers.
It took Mayfield a week or so to shake off the rust. After that, he was nothing short of outstanding in practice and during his time on the field in the preseason.
More importantly, the former Oklahoma standout won over the locker room. Installing further belief in his capabilities to lead this team back to prominence next season.
The likes of D.J. Moore, Christian McCaffrey, and Bradley Bozeman were all highly complimentary of Mayfield for the way he’s approached his second chance. Perhaps more telling were the comments made by Robbie Anderson, who was critical of the trade before his arrival and has changed his tune greatly after watching the Heisman Trophy winner in the flesh.
"“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.”"
This was always going to be half the battle for Mayfield. Especially considering the talk of childish, immature behavior behind the scenes in Cleveland.
Everyone is now fully on board with Mayfield. And even the most skeptical fan can now look forward to the campaign with some cautious optimism.
Baker Mayfield’s spark could ignite the Carolina Panthers
Baker Mayfield is a polarizing figure. There’s no getting away from that.
But he might just provide the spark that ignites the Carolina Panthers in 2022.
The quarterback position has been a complex riddle to solve for head coach Matt Rhule. Whether it’s signing Teddy Bridgewater, trading for Sam Darnold, or releasing Cam Newton before bringing him back, nothing personnel-wise under center has done the Panthers any favors.
Mayfield can change all that.
His gunslinger mentality coupled with exceptional poise in the pocket is night and day to what Carolina’s had since Rhule replaced Ron Rivera. There is also a fierce will to win and a swagger to his overall demeanor that makes him someone everyone can get behind.
It was just a small sample size during the preseason, but Mayfield’s production was impressive. The Panthers also have a first-class group of pass-catchers, an offensive line that should be much improved, and the return of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey to further assist the No. 1 overall selection in 2018.
If there is one thing the Panthers have lacked on the field lately, it’s inspirational quarterback play. Providing Mayfield starts the season well, there’s a high chance he can achieve this feat.
Carolina Panthers have a rejuvenated Baker Mayfield
It would have been easy for Baker Mayfield to cut a forlorn figure upon joining the Carolina Panthers. Almost everyone wrote him off after the Cleveland Browns secured Deshaun Watson and there didn’t appear to be a queue of suitors willing to take a chance before Scott Fitterer came calling.
Thankfully, his character wouldn’t allow it.
Mayfield was eager to join the Panthers after speaking with Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule. This was an instant chance to start straight away and it’s not like the cupboard is bare regarding weapons for the signal-caller in Carolina.
He looks rejuvenated after successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. The stars could be aligning for Mayfield to do some real damage next season, but building early momentum with so many home games to begin the campaign is of critical importance.
This is one last roll of the dice for Rhule, one suspects. Another failed season in 2022 is likely to come with severe consequences, so there is urgency across the board to finally get the Panthers on the right track.
There are plenty of personal incentives for Mayfield, too. He is now in the final year of his rookie deal, so the player is seeking either a bigger commitment from Carolina next year, perhaps the franchise tag, or perform well enough to generate legitimate interest from elsewhere.
Either way, you won’t be able to take your eyes off it from start to finish.