Panthers waive Baker Mayfield. Here’s what that move means for the QB depth chart
The Carolina Panthers are moving on from former starting quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The team announced Monday it has waived Mayfield, ending the quarterback’s brief tenure in Charlotte. Mayfield asked to be released, according to interim head coach Steve Wilks.
Mayfield went 1-5 as the Panthers’ starting quarterback, and was benched twice during his 13-week regular-season stint with the team.
The Panthers acquired Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns in March. Carolina traded a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick for the Heisman trophy winner. Had Mayfield played 70% of the offense’s snaps this season, the pick would have been upgraded to a 2024 fourth-round selection. With Mayfield’s release, that condition will not be met.
Mayfield completed 57.8% of his passes for 1,313 passing yards, 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions during his time with the Panthers. The former first overall pick routinely failed to lead the Panthers to consistent offensive success, and his work was out-shined by replacements, PJ Walker and Sam Darnold, when he was sidelined.
Mayfield suffered a high ankle sprain in a Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Following that game, former head coach Matt Rhule was fired and Wilks took his place.
Wilks started Walker at quarterback for the first five games of his interim tenure before the quarterback suffered a high ankle sprain of his own. Mayfield returned to the starting lineup in a 13-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but was ultimately benched again, this time for Darnold, in Week 12.
Darnold, who returned from injured reserve last month, led the Panthers to a blowout win over the Denver Broncos and was immediately named the starter for this week’s battle against the Seattle Seahawks. Coming off a bye week, the Panthers allowed Walker to heal his ankle, and with him on the mend, Mayfield’s importance to the depth chart dwindled.
The Panthers, who had kept two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster throughout the first half of the season, will move forward with Darnold at the top spot and Walker as his backup, the team announced Monday.
Darnold, in his regular-season debut against the Broncos, completed 11 of 19 passes for 164 yards and touchdown. With the Panthers still in the hunt in the lowly NFC South, Darnold will be front and center as Wilks looks to turn his interim post into a permanent position.
Mayfield will be subject to waivers. With the Ravens and San Francisco 49ers suffering injuries at the position on Sunday, Mayfield might not be unemployed for long.
This story was originally published December 5, 2022 at 11:08 AM.
