Baker Mayfield missed the mark. What’s next for the Carolina Panthers at quarterback?
We’ve seen this before.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield plays poorly and then says things to the media that raise more questions than answers.
“I’ll be honest with you. I put my heart and soul into this. This sucks. I just hope everyone else feels the same way to be honest with you,” Mayfield said after quarterbacking a 13-3 loss to the Ravens on Sunday. “That’s how you turn things around, you have to care about it.”
Asked to elaborate, Mayfield said he thinks everyone does care. Then he suggested the team is starting to “let things slide” by not emphasizing the small details, only to say “I’m not saying we’re doing that throughout the week, but ...”
If Mayfield does not think the Panthers’ offense is lacking effort or attention to detail then why mention it? It’s confusing, yet on-brand for Mayfield.
In Cleveland, there were times when Mayfield publicly criticized the Browns. In 2019, he told reporters “you’re either on this train or you’re not,” after his then-teammate Duke Johnson requested a trade during OTAs. Last season, Mayfield called the Browns’ game plan too “conservative” following a 24-22 victory against the Ravens.
Perhaps Mayfield’s Sunday comments are harmless. But considering his past, it’s hard not to wonder if him mentioning how much he cares compared to others could alienate teammates. Are those remarks pointed at a player or a coach? We do not know. But now his words are in the ether for the Panthers’ 52 other players to decipher for themselves.
Losing football is no fun. Analyzing transcripts more than game film isn’t great either. But that is the reality surrounding the Panthers (3-8) after the team lost its fifth consecutive road game this season.
Football is not working out for Mayfield in Carolina. In his first start since injuring his ankle in Week 5, Mayfield completed 21 of 33 passes (63.6%) for 196 yards and two interceptions. Both turnovers came in the fourth quarter with the game still in reach.
Off the field, Mayfield is a sharp young man with an infectious personality. Interim head coach Steve Wilks says Mayfield “is an alpha” nearly every chance he gets. When things are going well, teammates vouch for Mayfield. He’s done everything well as a Panther — except throwing the football.
Whether Mayfield starts Sunday against the Broncos or not, he likely only has six weeks left as a Panther. Carolina is seeking a veteran backup next year to pair with rookie Matt Corral and perhaps a first-round quarterback in the draft. Mayfield wants to start for a team in 2023.
Mayfield can play for a lot of years in the NFL. His next landing spot must be a place where he can begin remaking his career.
As for the Panthers, both the Saints (4-7) and Falcons (5-6) won Sunday. Their playoff hopes are on life support. If the season ended today, Carolina would pick second in the next draft.
Here are this week’s biggest questions heading into Week 12.
Return of Sam Darnold?
As is tradition, Observer columnist Scott Fowler said what everyone is thinking about the Panthers’ three-point performance. It’s time to start Sam Darnold, again.
On Monday, Wilks was not ready to name a starting quarterback. Instead, the team will wait until at least Wednesday to possible pick starter.
PJ Walker isn’t likely to be healthy as he recovers from a high ankle sprain sustained two weeks ago against Atlanta. Wilks said he will know more about Walker’s health in a couple of days.
Trotting Mayfield back out there is uninspiring.
Darnold could’ve played Sunday. He was active for the first time all season after sustaining a preseason ankle sprain. But Wilks said it would’ve been unfair to plug Darnold into a one-sided game that late in the fourth quarter.
Darnold hasn’t played a regular-season game since Week 18 of last season. All week, Wilks broadcasted a desire to play Darnold before starting him considering it’s been 10 months since he’s played a regular-season game. The only way that is still possible is if Mayfield starts against Denver but Darnold plays some as well.
However, Wilks doesn’t seem interested in a two-system quarterback. Thus, it’s time to hand things back over to Darnold.
Questions at wide receiver
Slot receiver Shi Smith struggled in Baltimore. His fourth-quarter fumble swung the game. But he also shares responsibility for Mayfield’s first interception.
Mayfield threw a check-down pass to Smith who was running a zig or return route from the right slot. The route is undisciplined. Smith drifted out of his break rather than working parallel to the line of scrimmage. Most receivers are taught to come back toward the line of scrimmage to avoid a defensive back undercutting a late throw, which is exactly what Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey did.
Rashard Higgins has not played since fumbling a reverse handoff in Week 4. Terrace Marshall is showing splashes of excellence but both he and DJ Moore dropped critical passes on Sunday.
Laviska Shenault Jr. is explosive but proving one-dimensional. The room doesn’t really have a bonafide leader or veteran presence.
It’s a talented group but a pair of veteran and talented corners in Humphrey and Marcus Peters highlighted Panthers receivers’ inefficiencies.
A wasted defensive performance
The Panthers’ defense is on a roll. For two consecutive weeks opposing offenses are being drastically held under their season averages.
Defensive coordinator Al Holcomb called a game that generated three sacks of quarterback Lamar Jackson, a turnover and 11 tackles for loss. Yet, defensive end Brian Burns was not satisfied.
“I would say it’s not really about the offense, it’s more about us,” Burns said. “Our goal every game is to have three takeaways and we only had one. It was a great play by (Bravvion Roy). We only had one, but we have opportunities to get more. We’ve got to capitalize.”
Burns sounds like a leader who knows what he has to say. In reality, allowing just 13 points on the road against one of the game’s most dynamic quarterbacks should be enough to win.
On Sunday, the Panthers host the Denver Broncos. The opening point total was set at 35.5 points, according to Fan Duel, which is the lowest game total of the year.
This story was originally published November 21, 2022 at 11:15 AM.
