What were the critical factors behind Baker Mayfield’s failed stint with the Carolina Panthers that ended abruptly upon their bye week return?
Given how well Sam Darnold managed things in Week 12 and the prospect of P.J. Walker’s return from injury, things looked bleak for Baker Mayfield. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by the quarterback, who asked for and was granted an early release by the Carolina Panthers on Monday.
This brings an end to Mayfield’s brief time with the Panthers. The former Oklahoma star started just six games and couldn’t galvanize his career behind a much improved offensive line and one of the league’s best dual-threat running backs alongside him in the backfield, which was extremely disappointing.
Mayfield will now test the waiver wire in the hope someone picks him up. If not, then he’ll have to wait around in the hope another franchise comes calling with just five games remaining in 2022.
This is a sorry outcome for all parties involved. But what were the critical factors that played a leading role behind Mayfield’s failed stint in Carolina?
Critical Factor No. 1
Baker Mayfield’s late arrival
After a series of failed personnel moves that cost the Carolina Panthers a lot financially and in terms of draft capital, those in power were not willing to overpay for Baker Mayfield. After discussions during the 2022 NFL Draft came to nothing, negotiations continued before a deal was finally struck shortly before training camp.
While the Panthers will be giving up nothing more than a fifth-round selection for Mayfield, it made things complicated. The signal-caller had to familiarize himself with a completely new set-up and immerse himself within Ben McAdoo’s complex scheme for good measure.
Not an ideal situation. And looking back, it left Mayfield playing catch-up at an important stage of the preparation period.
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.
Carolina Panthers’ slow start
With the NFL world scrutinizing his every move, it was absolutely imperative for Baker Mayfield to begin the season well. And the football gods threw up a tantalizing first contest against the team that cast him aside during the offseason.
Mayfield couldn’t get one over on the Cleveland Browns during a disappointing performance. The same transpired at the New York Giants in Week 2, but there were slight signs of life against the New Orleans Saints that provided hope more could be on the way.
The Carolina Panthers capitulated against the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, which was the final straw for David Tepper regarding Matt Rhule’s status as head coach. Mayfield also spent time on injured/reserve and started just once more during another woeful effort at the Baltimore Ravens.
One could blame Carolina’s offseason choices or Ben McAdoo’s bland scheme as reasons behind Mayfield’s poor start. But the player’s own production left a lot to be desired and it didn’t take long for most fans to turn their attention to the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft class as a result.
Batted passes, hesitancy in the pocket, and a complete lack of confidence in his ability from McAdoo meant a bleak future awaited. And even though his release was something of a shock considering the timing, this break-up was almost inevitable once the 2022 campaign concluded.
Carolina Panthers didn’t get enough from Baker Mayfield
One can point fingers and make excuses regarding Baker Mayfield’s failed time with the Carolina Panthers. But at the end of the day, the quarterback just didn’t do enough.
He didn’t do enough to keep the job after winning it.
He didn’t do enough to keep Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker on the fringes.
And he didn’t do enough to win over Carolina’s fanbase – many of whom were extremely skeptical of this trade, to begin with.
Mayfield’s six starts came with a 57.8 percent completion percentage for 1,313 passing yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions. His passer rating was 74.4, the player’s QBR stood at a lowly 18.2, and his 52.2 grade from Pro Football Focus was another reflection of his poor performance levels.
If this was Mayfield’s final chance to win a starting job, it was a complete failure. Wherever the polarizing figure ends up next, it’ll be a long road back to relevancy.
Steve Wilks is a straight-talker and in fairness to Mayfield, he’s adapted well to a backup role enough to warrant consideration from elsewhere. Perhaps the recent injuries around the league played a part in this situation, but the interim head coach had already deemed him surplus to requirements in any case.
It’ll be interesting to see where Mayfield goes next. But his time with the Panthers will always come with a sense of what might have been.