The Carolina Panthers are off to a rough start to the season.
With a 3-7 record, the Panthers are slated to miss the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
A big reason for their poor play has been their inconsistencies at the quarterback position.
Quarterback Controversy
Before the 2022 NFL season began, Baker Mayfield was traded to Carolina.
Before this season, Mayfield had spent his previous four years with the Cleveland Browns, who drafted him first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
After this surprising trade to the Panthers, Mayfield wasn’t playing up to his full potential.
In his first five games as the starter, Mayfield was only averaging 192.4 passing yards per game, with an average completion percentage of just 54.46%.
Wanting a fresh start after starting the season 1-5, the Panthers shifted their attention to former XFL star, P.J. Walker.
Walker hadn’t lit the world on fire in his six games as the starter.
His stats were worse than Mayfield’s.
He was averaging 121.83 passing yards per game, garnered a 59.4% completion percentage average, and only threw for three touchdown passes.
However, see the below tweet from Ian Rapaport.
#Panthers coach Steve Wilks announces that PJ Walker has a high-ankle sprain, which means Baker Mayfield is back in as the starting QB. Sam Darnold will back him up.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 14, 2022
We’re not saying that the Panthers got bailed out by Walker’s injury, but his being out this week certainly allows Mayfield to get some much-needed playing time.
Mayfield and the Panthers have two tough games in a row.
They face the Ravens this week and play the Broncos the week after.
If Mayfield wants to win the starting job back, he must prove it against these staunch defensive fronts.
NEXT: Will Baker Mayfield Ever Start Again In The NFL?