What would be a realistic expectation for the Carolina Panthers after trading for quarterback Baker Mayfield?
Does he propel them to playoff contender status or will they still miss the postseason for the fifth straight year?
Christian McCaffrey‘s return could help them play better, as shown in their start last season.
But with or without him, Mayfield will never deviate from the attitude that led him to the NFL.
Therefore, he will demand the best of his teammates if he becomes the starting quarterback.
Baker will always be Baker. 💯 (via @Panthers) pic.twitter.com/EjzIrf4gIh
— NFL (@NFL) July 12, 2022
In his recent time with the media, Mayfield said, “I love playing this game, and I truly have fun doing it, and I’m going to be myself while doing it. I’m going to challenge you, I’m going to challenge myself, and they’ll see the real version of me.”
It’s nice to see him retain the love for the game even after what the Cleveland Browns did to him.
At first, he was declared the starter after the team initially fell out of the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes.
But when they traded for Watson and signed him long-term, Mayfield was an outcast and was put on the trading block.
Carolina got him cheap, trading only a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft.
A Fresh Start For Mayfield
The first challenge he must hurdle is to win the starting role over Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker, and Matt Corral.
While he has the best credentials among the four, a strong training camp should lay any doubts about him to rest.
The Panthers hope that they will see Mayfield’s best version in every game, especially against division rivals.
They need him to play at his best against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be much of a change regarding their outlook and heads might roll by Black Monday.
NEXT: Panthers GM Comments On An Impending Competition