By Martin Rogers
FOX Sports activities Columnist
Sure, we knew this was most likely coming, as a result of the Carolina Panthers did not go and get Baker Mayfield with the thought of getting him function their backup quarterback.
However that doesn’t matter.
Neither does it matter that the man Mayfield beat out for the beginning job, Sam Darnold, had the worst and second-worst passer ranking within the NFL the previous two seasons.
It's unimportant, at this exact second in time, lower than three weeks from a scrumptious Week 1 matchup between Mayfield’s Panthers and the Cleveland Browns, that he is basically a one-year rental, or {that a} chunk of his wage is being paid by those self same Browns — his previous employer.
By being named the Panthers' starter to start out a recent week, Mayfield supplied some hope to the workforce’s beleaguered followers: the workforce has the potential to get fairly a bit higher, and it is sure to get much more attention-grabbing.
Mayfield is not Aaron Rodgers and he is not 2015 Cam Newton. In line with the Browns, he isn’t ok for them to have been in a position to withstand the temptation of going after Deshaun Watson, whatever the fallout that got here with that call.
However the Panthers and Mayfield are type of a really perfect match. The workforce might use a jolt of vitality to shake out of a four-year slumber with a mixed report of 22-43.
Mayfield brings vitality and a focus, that a lot could be assured. Don’t count on Carolina's season to slide quietly into the evening, not this 12 months. It’s Baker Time, which implies massive discuss, loads of eyeballs, and a mass of divided opinion.
"I used to be simply attempting to deal with the onerous a part of getting every little thing down first earlier than letting the character and stuff come out," Mayfield mentioned, after touchdown the beginning job. "However the ardour's going to come back out, regardless, on the sphere, simply because we’re competing."
Baker Mayfield's expectations with Panthers
The Carolina Panthers formally made Baker Mayfield their beginning quarterback for his or her season-opener towards the Cleveland Browns.
Every part feels in-your-face and quick with Mayfield, who would possibly as nicely be the poster boy for hot-take tradition. The character, loud and unapologetic, isn't removed from the floor. The detractors at all times appear to be hovering to pounce. Likewise, the reactions each time he has a giant sport or throws a flashy TD haven't any scarcity of feeling behind them.
Carolina is already embracing the brand new actuality.
The QB battle between Mayfield and Darnold was largely a public relations train that amounted to a pleasant, phony struggle. Offered Mayfield didn’t get harm or carry out abysmally, the job was going to be his.
Not everybody was bought on him coming in, with receiver Robbie Anderson and workforce legend turned analyst Steve Smith essentially the most notable disapproving voices. However Mayfield’s spark has received Smith over, as evidenced by a tv broadcast through which Smith labeled Mayfield as like "John Wayne" and in contrast Darnold to a "librarian."
Mayfield’s insertion into the beginning lineup makes issues devilishly awkward for Cleveland — a reality not misplaced on anybody. Given the Browns' present stage of utmost unpopularity, tied to the Watson signing, Mayfield would possibly — briefly — be the most well-liked soccer participant in America going into Week 1.
"We'll wait to speak about Carolina till we get there," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski advised reporters. "I’m nonetheless in Week 3 of preseason mode."
Uncomfortable a lot?
How will Baker Mayfield fare as Panthers' QB1?
Colin Cowherd explains why Baker is not going to have the chance on the Panthers as he did for his former workforce.
Mayfield bought jettisoned on the again of a 2021 marketing campaign (his fourth within the NFL) the place he performed by a torn labrum and noticed his productiveness decline. The Browns, to oversimplify a sophisticated state of affairs, went for Watson as a result of they believed a celebrity QB might propel them to a Tremendous Bowl.
The Panthers are in a far completely different spot. Respectability, with some memorable moments tossed in, could be a welcome and essentially uplifting step.
Mayfield could have some alternatives to make waves, and shortly. Beating the Browns in Week 1 could be the obvious thrill, however the standing of the NFC South confers an actual probability for a shot at a wild-card spot, many observers consider. Who is aware of, Mayfield might even develop into a Comeback Participant of the 12 months candidate.
The New Orleans Saints are seen as primed for a decline with out Sean Payton and the Atlanta Falcons are anticipated to be among the many worst groups in soccer. Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are overwhelming favorites to win the division, however with Carolina staging 5 of their first seven video games at dwelling, a swift begin might inject some momentum.
In different phrases, the Baker prepare might begin rolling and start to select up velocity. A technique or one other, it will be value watching.
Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports activities and the creator of the FOX Sports activities Insider publication. You can subscribe to the each day publication right here.
