4 critical factors behind Baker Mayfield’s failed Panthers tenure

Carolina Panthers camp QB competition

Not only did Baker Mayfield arrive late in the offseason, but the Carolina Panthers went down a bizarre route when they descended on Spartanburg for training camp. Instead of giving his new signal-caller every opportunity to develop chemistry with new teammates, head coach Matt Rhule insisted on a quarterback competition that cost the Heisman Trophy winner valuable reps along the way.

Mayfield outperformed Sam Darnold in training camp. Even though it was clear for everyone to see, Rhule kept up the competition until camp broke and the Panthers embarked on their second preseason game.

This ended up being another critical flaw in Rhule’s management of personnel. The former Baylor man just couldn’t evaluate quarterbacks at the pro level effectively and when things turned sour, he blamed absolutely everyone but himself.

Announcing Mayfield as the starter right out of the gate might not have changed much. However, it would have provided the No. 1 overall selection in 2018 additional time with the first string at a time when every rep counted.

As it turned out, this also proved to be Rhule’s undoing after another disappointing loss in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. For all Mayfield’s faults, he saw off a coach out of his depth, which was a major positive all things considered.