Should Panthers put more pressure on Baker Mayfield?

The Carolina Panthers are within the midst of a quarterback battle. All indicators, although, level to Baker Mayfield being their starter, not Sam Darnold. 

Mayfield took reps with the highest offensive unit within the Panthers’ preseason opener towards the Washington Commanders. He has additionally taken nearly all of the snaps with the offensive starters throughout coaching camp practices up to now. 

Emmanuel Acho is not positive the Panthers are taking the proper strategy, and he in contrast Mayfield to a sure superhero in explaining why. 

“Baker Mayfield’s just like the Unbelievable Hulk,” Acho mentioned on Tuesday’s “Converse For Your self.” “When the Unbelievable Hulk’s burdened, he prompts a superpower. In the identical breath, when Baker Mayfield’s challenged, it prompts his superpower.”

Acho cited virtually each season of Mayfield’s profession relationship again to when he was a freshman in school and gained the beginning quarterback job at Texas Tech as a walk-on. Acho used Mayfield’s time at Oklahoma, the place he needed to win the beginning job as a walk-on earlier than successful the Heisman as extra proof.

Within the NFL, Acho pointed to Mayfield’s rookie and third seasons with the Cleveland Browns as much more poof that he thrives when challenged. Mayfield needed to beat out Tyrod Taylor to earn the beginning job as a rookie, and in his third season, he needed to show himself after a disappointing second 12 months. 

Acho believes that Mayfield wasn’t challenged sufficient in his second and fourth seasons with the Browns, which each resulted in shedding seasons. Acho thinks that Carolina could also be making the identical mistake. 

“Now, enter the Carolina Panthers,” Acho mentioned. “Please problem Baker Mayfield so we are able to see the Unbelievable Hulk. They do not. They hand him the job, seemingly.”

Pleasure Taylor took a unique strategy. She did not argue if the Panthers are taking the proper or mistaken strategy. Somewhat, she believes that Mayfield wants to alter his strategy.

“I actually cannot get into someone that I’ve to play thoughts video games with to do their job,” Taylor mentioned. “You understand what your motivation is? It is that test you get each two weeks. No one wants to inform me to go work at my job as a result of I receives a commission to do my job, so subsequently, I will do my job. That is how I am wired. And that is how I need my quarterback to be wired.”

The upcoming season is a vital one for Mayfield. He is within the ultimate season of his rookie deal and was traded for only a fifth-round conditional decide in July, suggesting that he would possibly must show he is starter materials this season. 

Taylor needs Mayfield to drop his “underdog” mindset as a result of he already has to show sufficient as it’s.

“The problem is you are an NFL quarterback,” Taylor mentioned. “That’s a particularly aggressive place. There are usually not loads of these jobs on the planet. That ought to be your motivation already. 

“I hear you, however you’re a No. 1 total decide. You have been the Heisman Trophy winner. You are not an underdog anymore, my man! You might have arrived. You might have 47 Progressive commercials, we get it. So, the entire underdog factor to me will get drained.” 

The Panthers face the New England Patriots of their second preseason recreation on Friday, and Carolina coach Matt Rhule implied that he’ll decide on who’ll be the starter after that.

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