September is nearly here, which means the 2022 NFL season is about to kick off.
However, the new NFL season will see Baker Mayfield with the Carolina Panthers.
His first game as the starting QB for Carolina will see him facing his old team, the Cleveland Browns.
The game is important for Mayfield, as he wants to prove the Browns made a costly mistake by moving on from him.
If he can win against the Browns in Week 1, it starts the path of instant regret for the Browns.
Baker’s Success In 2022 Will Be The Driving Factor Behind The Browns’ Regret
Cleveland made the move to trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson, signaling an end to the Mayfield era.
However, Watson is now serving an 11-game suspension, meaning the team must rely on backup QB Jacoby Brissett.
The problem is of the Browns’ own making, as they failed to do their due diligence with Watson before pursuing him.
But I thought he didn't do it and did nothing wrong? Also remember the Browns said they did there due diligence and back him, meaning they knew what the judge said in her verdict smh https://t.co/C0BhSZ1saA
— DouglieDoWrong (@DouglieDoWrong) August 12, 2022
But they instead got a better quarterback, in their eyes, over him.
This all leaves Cleveland with a backup for most of the season, while Mayfield pushes to find success with his new team.
Each game he’s able to win causes regret to build up in Cleveland.
However, the more games that Brissett or Watson lose while Mayfield wins only makes the regret worse.
But can Mayfield do better with Carolina than the Browns can do with Brissett and Watson in 2022?
Mayfield Has A Tough Battle To Do Better Than Cleveland Can This Season
One luxury the former first overall pick doesn’t have in Carolina is a stacked team.
The Panthers offensive line isn’t good and they don’t have big-name defensive stars like the Browns.
However, Mayfield might have the drive to push past these obstacles before him.
That drive can show he’s maturing as a player in the NFL.
Being immature is something critics often point out about him.
Carolina is not falling anyone. There is no winning QB on that roster. Mayfield is their best choice and can be a top 10 QB. He needs to keep his mouth shut and learn to be a team leader. He has all the ability just needs to mature.
— Walleye (@walleyejz) June 25, 2022
With maturity, and a healthy Christian McCaffrey, he can tackle the tough battle ahead of him.
Most of his toughest games in 2022 will be in the NFC South, as he’ll face the Saints and Buccaneers two times each.
However, the Browns’ schedule isn’t overly hard, as they can rely on defense and their running game to win games.
These factors all make life for the Panthers’ new starting QB a little difficult this season.
How Bad Does He Want To Beat Cleveland?
Mayfield wants to send a message to Cleveland in their Week 1 game.
It’s his chance to get revenge for him dumping him for someone else.
No player likes when a team wants to replace them.
Fans have seen this with other quarterbacks as their teams draft a new QB to replace them.
Green Bay seems to be famous for QBs who don’t like their teams getting a player to replace them in the future.
So there’s going to be some hard feelings between Baker and the franchise he was once a part of.
Getting a win will give him some satisfaction, as he can prove to be the better QB on that day.
NEXT: Panthers Have A Big Concern With List Of Injuries