4 burning questions Carolina Panthers fans are asking ahead of Week 14

What’s next following Baker Mayfield’s release?

Does the release of Baker Mayfield open the door for another potential signing of a free-agent quarterback or will they go a different route? – Aspen Gray

Great question, Aspen.

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield hit the ground running with a sensational come-from-behind drive to steer the Los Angeles Rams to a memorable victory after arriving just a day before their Thursday Night Football clash.

First off, it’s been a season to forget for Carolina, their quarterback situation, and Mayfield. Nothing seemed to go right for all parties involved. It seemed the signal-caller wasn’t a fit from the start, though there was hope he could adjust and adapt to the new offense.

As for what the Panthers could do at quarterback going forward, I think they’re sticking with Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker as the top two guys. I don’t see them acquiring another quarterback in free agency.

The only top available option on the open market is none other than Cam Newton. Though that book is closed for good and I don’t anticipate him coming back unless it’s for a one-day contract to retire as a Panther.

This means it’s time to focus on what quarterback the front office could target in the upcoming NFL Draft. I believe this is the direction the team will likely go with.

I have recently done my final evaluation on C.J. Stroud and he is everything as advertised, worthy of a top 10 selection and a likely target for the Panthers wherever they select from next April.

There is also Alabama’s Bryce Young and Kentucky’s Will Levis, of course. A polarizing prospect among Panthers fans as of late is Flordia’s Anthony Richardson, where opinions are all over the place.

Richardson is a rare athlete for the position with a great physical profile, elite arm strength, and rushing ability. Consistency is an issue, yet he has shown progression throughout the college campaign.

Some draft analysts I follow on Twitter believe Richardson is further along as a prospect than Levis, last year’s draft class overall, and Zach Wilson when he came out of BYU. Again, there are a lot of varying opinions, but the dual threat is without a doubt an intriguing talent heading into the assessment process.