4 primary scapegoats from the Carolina Panthers 2022 season
By Dean Jones
Baker Mayfield – Former Carolina Panthers QB
Despite the Carolina Panthers drafting Matt Corral and having Sam Darnold on the books, Matt Rhule opted for one last roll of the dice via trade at football’s most crucial position. After lengthy and complex negotiations, Baker Mayfield was the newest supposed savior and someone the head coach was betting his job on in 2022.
Mayfield didn’t have much time to pick things up in training camp. He left a good impression overall and fitted into the locker room seamlessly, but the needless quarterback position against Darnold came with obvious potential complications once the regular season began.
These fears were realized for Mayfield and the Panthers. There were obvious timing issues between the signal-caller and his playmakers, with Ben McAdoo’s restrictive scheme portraying little to no confidence in the former No. 1 overall selection for good measure.
Mayfield’s first five weeks were poor even if the circumstances needed context. A dismal loss to the San Francisco 49ers saw Mayfield go on injured/reserve and team owner David Tepper finally fire Matt Rhule after a torrid three years at the helm.
The Oklahoma product got one final opportunity to prove his worth, but another inept outing at the Baltimore Ravens spelled the end. Mayfield was waived and ended up with the Los Angeles Rams, adding his name to the increasing list of trades that blew up in Carolina’s face.