How much pressure is on Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield heading into an important Week 4 game against the Arizona Cardinals?
The Carolina Panthers might have got themselves a morale-boosting victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, but the offense and quarterback Baker Mayfield still have a significant amount of work ahead. Things looked pretty disjointed for the large majority of Sunday’s game, which is rapidly becoming the team’s biggest concern thanks to steady improvement in other phases that have left a positive mark.
Mayfield came into the organization late and had to split reps in training camp. There is obvious hesitancy within offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s scheme, which is resulting in the signal-caller creating pressure for himself and missing open looks when opportunities arise to move the chains.
One solace for the signal-caller is that there is a lot of football left and a solid running game to lean on led by Christian McCaffrey. However, the time for Mayfield to start delivering is upon us entering Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals.
The former Oklahoma star won’t have things easy by any stretch. Zach Allen and future Pro Football Hall of Famer J.J. Watt will know how much pressure Mayfield is under, with the Cardinals also possessing a dynamic linebacking corps featuring two first-round picks in Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins.
Baker Mayfield must get more comfortable with the Carolina Panthers
Familiarity is the only thing that’s going to make Mayfield more comfortable. Trusting a much-improved offensive line would also help, but with a 51.9 percent completion percentage through three games, it remains to be seen whether enough strides can be made in the coming days before taking the field once again at Bank of America Stadium.
Mayfield knows there might not be another chance to start again immediately if things don’t work out in Carolina. But the player has recognized the major flaws so far and is more than eager to put them right at the earliest possible opportunity.
"“Just ball location honestly on some of these man-to-man spots. I am going to look back at the tape and not be real happy with how I played. Obviously, considering that third-down conversions and our passing game. We will take wins when we can get them, there’s no doubt about that. Just need to capitalize on it. I don’t think it’s anything schematically. The physical errors are going to happen every once in a while.”"
Mayfield won’t want this to stretch too far and can ill-afford to hold this team back. It won’t be much longer before Sam Darnold returns from an ankle sprain, which should increase the sense of urgency despite the USC product’s dismal performances following his trade from the New York Jets in 2021.
Finding a way to get D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson involved prominently would also assist. Both have flashed in and out over the opening three games, so McAdoo has to find better solutions in terms of his scheme that allows Mayfield additional opportunities.
Pressing the panic button so early in the season would be hasty where Mayfield is concerned. It was always going to take a little time, but if progress doesn’t come in Week 4 – one month into the regular season – then it won’t take long before the alarm bells start ringing.
It’s time for Mayfield to step up and repay the faith shown in him by Carolina when most looked the other way.
Simple as that, really.