4 major factors behind Carolina Panthers poor start in 2022
By Nick Halden
Carolina Panthers cannot find the answer at QB
Did we watch both Baker Mayfield and Matt Rhule end their Carolina Panthers careers against San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon?
It certainly seems possible with P.J. Walker coming in for Mayfield thanks to injury that is also expected to keep him sidelined for a few weeks to further compound the quarterback’s misery. Ignore the yardage and look at the missed opportunities that the Oklahoma product had yet again.
D.J. Moore is an elite wide receiver and finished the game with little impact. San Francisco knows all they had to do is pack the box and stop Christian McCaffrey, forcing Mayfield to make consistent throws.
The only thing Mayfield is doing consistently is turning the football over and frustrating Panthers fans. Now that he’s going to the sidelines with a high ankle sprain, one has to wonder if he’ll get another chance to suit up once returning to full health.
Walker or Sam Darnold could be considered as starters this season. With Matt Rhule now gone, the offense and strategy should adjust somewhat despite offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo sticking around.
Carolina should give Mayfield one or two starts without Rhule at the helm and see if it makes a difference. In what amounts to a lost season, the Panthers are simply treading water for the rest of 2022 when their search for another franchise quarterback can begin.
What we do know now, however, is that is decidedly not Mayfield.