The Carolina Panthers on Tuesday announced the release of veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield. The team traded for the former No. 1 draft pick this past July sending a conditional 2024 fifth-rounder to the Cleveland Browns. The move ends a short, but eventful, stint and comes on the tail of the team’s decision to move PJ Walker ahead of him on the depth chart.
Mayfield split starter reps in training camp with Sam Darnold before being named the starter but he never quite found his footing. He started the first five games of the season, only winning one, before a high ankle sprain sidelined him. Walker took over starter duties with Mayfield backing him up until he too was sidelined with a high ankle sprain following the Week 10 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Thursday Night Football. Mayfield got the start as the Panthers fell to 3-8 with the loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. Many were certain that we had seen the last of Mayfield’s days as a starting quarterback for the Panthers. Darnold, back from a preseason ankle injury, led the team to a home win over the Denver Broncos, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
The bye week gave Walker a chance to heal and he moved ahead of Mayfield on the depth chart once again. Upon being given this news, the veteran asked the team for a release to which they obliged. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick will hit waivers this afternoon. In his time with the Panthers, Mayfield threw for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions while completing 57.8 percent of his passes.
