Struggling quarterback Baker Mayfield was waived by the Carolina Panthers on Monday, interim coach Steve Wilks confirmed.
“This is a tough business,” Wilks said following the announcement. “Sitting in this seat, it was a tough decision on my part, but something I felt like was the best move for the team moving forward.”
According to Wilks, the decision to cut Mayfield from the team was reached by way of mutual agreement. For Mayfield, the decision to agree to the waiver came after he learned that he would not be used as a starter nor as a backup going forward this season.
Following Mayfield’s departure, the Panthers will have to choose between Sam Darnold and PJ Walker to replace Mayfield at quarterback. Darnold is largely expected to start the Panthers’ upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Now, Mayfield will be available on waivers to each of the other 31 NFL teams until Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Potential suitors for Mayfield include the San Francisco 49ers, whose first-choice quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is out for the season due to a broken ankle, and the Baltimore Ravens, who could be without Lamar Jackson for a few weeks.
