4 major flaws that Carolina Panthers QB Baker Mayfield must rectify
By Dean Jones
What major flaws must Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield rectify to get out of his current slump and turn the 2022 season around?
It’s not been the start Baker Mayfield or the Carolina Panthers envisaged to begin their 2022 campaign. The quarterback’s inconsistent performances following his trade from the Cleveland Browns came to the fore once again during a disappointing loss at the New York Giants, which puts Matt Rhule’s men on a nine-game losing streak and 0-2 from two winnable contests.
Mayfield was always going to need a little time. Arriving at the Panthers so late and splitting reps with Sam Darnold in training camp were significant challenges to overcome, but this is a luxury the Panthers don’t have with immediate pressure to show improvements.
The former Oklahoma standout stated there is plenty of football left. But even though the message coming out of Carolina was how close this team is, their brutal stretch over the next five weeks means that things have to start coming together, and quickly.
With that being said, here are four major flaws Mayfield must rectify at the earliest possible opportunity.
Major Flaw No. 1
Baker Mayfield must trust Carolina Panthers OL
For all the faults on offense for the Carolina Panthers in Week 2, protection in front of Baker Mayfield was the least of their problems. It was another productive afternoon for the offensive line aside from a couple of errors, which was another step in the right direction within a unit that got a much-needed makeover this spring.
Mayfield must start trusting his line more. There were times when the quarterback created pressure by hanging onto the football too long and failing to maneuver effectively, which did the Heisman Trophy winner no favors whatsoever.
This comes with familiarity. But the margin for error has now gone from slim to non-existent.