4 potential destinations for Panthers QB Baker Mayfield in 2023

What potential destinations could Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield end up in time for the 2023 season?

The growing emergence of P.J. Walker has left Baker Mayfield on the outside looking in more often than not since his return from injury. Not what anyone anticipated when the Carolina Panthers secured his services via trade from the Cleveland Browns last summer.

Mayfield‘s production during the second half at the Cincinnati Bengals was not enough to convince the Panthers to make a permanent change. Interim head coach Steve Wilks has already declared the one-time XFL MVP candidate will be under center in Week 11 as the organization looks to build on their positive result on Thursday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons.

This situation is not an easy one for Mayfield, who is adapting to a new normal and growing as a leader behind the scenes. However, this does not detract from what an uncertain future awaits the signal-caller when his rookie contract comes to a conclusion next spring.

With this in mind, here are four potential landing spots for Mayfield in 2023.

Team No. 1

Baker Mayfield could re-sign with the Carolina Panthers

Although unlikely, the prospect of Baker Mayfield re-signing with the Carolina Panthers cannot be ruled out. Especially if the team wins enough games to put themselves out of the running for a top quarterback prospect during the 2023 NFL Draft.

This would need to be a team-friendly deal with no guarantees of playing time whatsoever. Mayfield could be a mentor to the returning Matt Corral or someone else emerging from the college ranks, which is something he’s currently adopting to assist P.J. Walker with starting responsibilities.

Whether things would have been different for Mayfield had Matt Rule not been around is debatable. But if the Panthers don’t get either Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, they might need a veteran piece until another prospect is ready.