4 critical areas that can help Panthers QB Baker Mayfield shine in 2022

Carolina Panthers must keep Christian McCaffrey healthy

Baker Mayfield is generating the headlines, which is not entirely unexpected given the media circus surrounding the player from the moment he entered the league. But the Carolina Panthers might only go as far as Christian McCaffrey takes them in 2022.

Mayfield has a fierce competitiveness and charisma that makes him easy to root for. McCaffrey is a little more understated, but that does not detract from what an integral part of the team’s plans he remains despite going through some significant injury complications over the past two seasons.

If McCaffrey can put all this behind him and put a consistent run of games together alongside Mayfield in the backfield, then the Panthers will have two players capable of moving the chains consistently. And having the league’s best dual-threat weapon to lean on when things aren’t developing as expected isn’t a bad security blanket, either.

The former first-round pick out of Stanford praised Mayfield for his integration and tireless work ethic. But the Panthers also need to play their part and utilize McCaffrey in a way that maximizes production while keeping him out of unnecessary contact.

That’s a tall order given that McCaffrey has featured just 10 times in two years. However, having a quarterback that can pick up the slack and make big plays can also take some heat off the All-Pro.