5 Panthers players unlikely to return in 2023 through Week 4
By Dean Jones
Baker Mayfield – Carolina Panthers QB
The honeymoon period is over for Baker Mayfield.
Another dismal outing against the Arizona Cardinals with the same mistakes left confidence in the quarterback at an all-time low. However, plenty of blame can also be directed to Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo for implementing an outdated system that is not maximizing the weapons at his disposal.
Mayfield is having difficulty adjusting. Batted passes are frequent, there remains hesitancy despite playing behind a consistent offensive line, and timing is way off with the likes of D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson.
Patience is wearing thin within the fanbase, who booed Mayfield off the field late in Week 4. Things might not get much better this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers and their No. 1 ranked defense.
Sam Darnold is a few weeks away from returning and has enough bad tape to suggest nothing much would improve if he replaced Mayfield. However, the onus is now firmly on the former Oklahoma standout to prove beyond all doubt he has what it takes to succeed in a different environment.
As for his long-term future in Carolina, there are far too many doubts right now to consider Mayfield as anything more than a one-year rental.
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