Sports

Baker Mayfield trade: Panthers make a Hail Mary play

By Martin Rogers
FOX Sports activities Columnist

Signing Baker Mayfield is the equal of the Carolina Panthers sending a hopeful heave into the top zone, in search of fortune to fall their approach.

It’s a determined transfer for a determined staff, a staff in pressing want of quarterbacking salvation, however with out the leverage to land somebody that will match most concepts of the savior stereotype.

It was a change that took place as a result of the Panthers have a common supervisor in Scott Fitterer, and a head coach in Matt Rhule, who’re each on the steamiest of sizzling seats, because of a two-year stretch with 10 mixed wins and stagnant progress. And clearly, it additionally took place due to the wild flip of occasions that ended Mayfield’s time with the Cleveland Browns.

Is Carolina an excellent place to resurrect Mayfield’s profession?

Is Carolina a good place to resurrect Mayfield's career?

Baker Mayfield is on the transfer, and Skip Bayless explains why he disapproves the Carolina-Cleveland commerce.

The Panthers are hoping to seek out lightning in a bottle. However they’re additionally doing the suitable factor.

For when issues are dire and solely a drastic uptick will suffice, there is no such thing as a level enjoying it secure, no level sticking with what . If ever there was a time to take an opportunity on an unpredictable character able to flashes of brilliance, it’s now.

Mayfield is in no way an ideal QB, however he’s simply what the Panthers want. He’s loud and lively and unafraid of the highlight. He’s used to coming in and making an attempt to show round a forlorn state of affairs as a result of that’s what he discovered with the then-hapless Browns made him the No. 1 choose in 2018.

There are shortcomings to Mayfield’s play, which is why Cleveland was keen to maneuver on from him and go down the Deshaun Watson path, regardless of all the luggage and uncertainty that accompanies that individual journey.

It’s the proper transfer due to what it’s — an inexpensive gamble with no long-term tether.

Mayfield turns into a free agent after the season, and the transfer will value Carolina simply $4.858 million, because of the Browns agreeing to pay $10.5 million, and Mayfield agreeing to a pay lower to get issues over the road.

Sam Darnold stays on the Carolina roster, and coaching camp, which begins in a number of brief weeks, will probably be a real competitors. Count on issues to lean Mayfield’s approach, nevertheless. Why would the group go to the difficulty of swapping a fifth-round choose (fourth if he meets sure targets except they had been keen to provide Mayfield a go?

Carolina is aware of what it’s going to get with Darnold. That degree is unlikely to be sufficient to spark the sort of turnaround that David Tepper, the richest proprietor within the NFL, is in search of. It could be that Mayfield, enjoying with a far weaker offensive unit than he had in Ohio, received’t be as much as scratch both.

However you by no means know, and that’s the entire level. Mayfield’s very nature as a QB, all of the issues he has been criticized for, really work in his favor right here.

Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield are ‘Underneath Duress’

Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield are ‘Under Duress'

Chris Broussard explains why Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield face big stress as Panthers coaching camp nears.

He’s been accused of being streaky and inconsistent, typically over-performing towards the larger groups and struggling unexpectedly towards weaker ones. He’s not afraid to say what he thinks, and he generates consideration wherever he goes. 

He’s the sort of man who makes followers livid however who additionally makes them love him. Make no mistake, there have been some unhappy eyes in Cleveland as soon as the deal lastly acquired made, and never just some.

Moreover, it is nonetheless unclear precisely what Mayfield is able to. He’s proven the power to take a staff to the brink of a Tremendous Bowl, as in 2020. He’s proven that he’s unfazed by a story of previous failure, immediately uplifting the Cleveland fan base when he entered the league.

He’s additionally proven he can play particularly poorly at occasions, however opinions stay divided as to how a lot final season ought to depend towards him. 

Sure, he had solely the Twenty seventh-best quarterback ranking in 2021 and did not get the 8-9 Browns into the postseason. However he was additionally combating harm points, had a severely depleted offensive line and operating again corps, and misplaced star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in a commerce.

“Even when Baker performs nicely, the Panthers will not make the playoffs,” FS1’s Nick Wright mentioned on “First Issues First.” “He is probably subsequent season, whether or not it is on the Panthers or elsewhere, going to be on his sixth head coach and sixth offensive coordinator in his sixth NFL season. However he is one of the best QB on the roster, and he’ll be the Week 1 starter.”

Panthers purchase Baker Mayfield from Browns

Panthers acquire Baker Mayfield from Browns

Nick Wright discusses if this commerce goes to work: “Even when Baker performs nicely, the Panthers will not make the playoffs.”

Right here’s the factor although. The Panthers aren’t essentially in search of their QB of the long run. They suppose they’ve that in Matt Corral, who they took within the third spherical of the latest draft. 

If Mayfield is available in, will get flashy a number of occasions, and results in a common improve within the vibe across the place, if he will get the report remotely near .500, then heads some place else after retaining Corral’s seat heat? The Panthers could be very happy with that.

So, after we’re speaking about determined throws of the cube, all the things is relative. Sure, it’s a Hail Mary that Mayfield leads the Panthers to playoff glory. In spite of everything, they, and maybe he, are most likely simply not adequate for that.

However he’s a persona and a participant who desires to win, and he’s the suitable match for the suitable time.

His signing isn’t the precursor to a gilded path and it positive as heck isn’t a surefire wager. What it’s a roadmap for an journey, for Mayfield all the time brings that. For Carolina — for now — that’s one of the best they’re going to get.

Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports activities and the creator of the FOX Sports activities Insider e-newsletter. You can subscribe to the every day e-newsletter right here.


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