Baker Mayfield has won the quarterback competition in Carolina and will be the Panthers’ starter for Week 1 of the 2022 season. This sets the stage for an exciting affair as the Panthers play Mayfield’s former team Cleveland Browns to start the campaign.
The Browns traded Mayfield to Carolina last month for a conditional fifth-rounder. Previously, Cleveland acquired Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans.
Following Mayfield’s arrival to the Panthers, the former first-overall pick wasn’t immediately given the starting spot. The coaching staff decided on the QB competition with the last year’s starter Sam Darnold, although many believed Mayfield was the favorite all along.
Despite not having any dazzling performances during the training camp or preseason, Mayfield reportedly did enough to remain in front of Darnold. He quickly learned the playbook, and the Panthers simply felt more confident rolling with him to start the campaign.
“When we started the process, we said we were looking at three things,” said Panthers’ head coach Matt Rhule. “No. 1, mastery of the offense; No. 2, situational football excellence; and No. 3, moving the ball and getting guys involved… Baker has made a lot of improvement, a lot of growth in all three areas in a short amount of time.”
Baker Mayfield made 59 starts with the Browns in the past four years and has a 29-30 record as a starter. Overall, he threw for 14,125 yards, 92 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions.
