As many expected, the Panthers finalized a trade sending Baker Mayfield to Carolina last week. The former No. 1 pick is expected to represent an upgrade over last year’s top quarterback, but he could be named the starter only after the remainder of the offseason. 
In a press conference, general manager Scott Fitterer announced that Mayfield and Sam Darnold will take part in an “open competition,” as detailed by Joe Person and Larry Holder of The Athletic. Fitterer further described the circumstances now surrounding the team’s QB room as being “a very healthy situation.”
The Panthers were consistently linked to Mayfield this offseason, in large part due to Darnold’s struggles in his first year in Charlotte. The 25-year-old put together a 4-7 record, completing less than 60% of his passes and throwing more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes (nine). Mayfield struggled last season as well during an injured-plagued campaign, but if healthy, he would profile as having more upside given some of his past performances in Cleveland.
Nevertheless, Person tweets that Fitterer expects the snaps during training camp to be split in a “fairly even” manner. Part of the reason for that could of course be Mayfield’s late arrival; the Panthers wanted to get the trade done before minicamp. To that point, Person adds that the team set an internal deadline of July 5 to finalize the swap (Twitter link). Mayfield will be playing catch-up relative to Darnold especially in the early stages of camp, but he has already begun preparing himself for the competition to win out the starting job.
“I want to be a starter, I want to be a franchise-level quarterback for years, and hopefully, it’s here in Charlotte,” he said, via the team’s website. “And I want a level playing field, and I want to elevate the guys around me and be the best version of myself… I know it’s not going to be easy by any means, I’ve got to go earn it, but I’m looking forward to the competition and the challenge.”
When camp opens up later this month, this positional battle could be one of the Panthers’ top storylines to watch.
Excluding injuries, both will start games this year. Clearly, the front office and coaching staff have no idea how to build a roster.
Read this today:
The Panthers have used 2nd, 3rd, 2 4ths, 5th and 6th round picks for Mayfield, Darnold and Matt C. Ouch!
The ultimate punchline would be Carolina starting the season with Darnold as QB1
Or Matt C outplaying Baker & Sam!
Why trade for baker and not start him?? What has Sam done to earn a starting spot?? I mean if he out works baker sure . But if I was them I’ll rather have baker start
Fully expect Baker to win the competition, but it’s good to add the extra motivation to him.
mrshyguy99 It being competition is 100% BS. My guess is they just don’t want to hand the job to Baker, and want him to be extra motivated in camp and preseason to ‘earn it’. Baker would have to be a disaster to justify starting Darnold Week 1.
They’d be stupid not to give Baker a fair chance in real games and take the time to evaluate his play to see if they have something with him or not.
If they really decide to start Darnold despite years of evidence that he’s a mediocre QB, after trading for Baker, Tepper should clean house immediately.
Tepper could clean house, but since Tepper hasn’t done a damn thing right since he bought the team in 2018, nothing will change.
If the competition is wide open, Darnold will still panic and miss it by five yards.
Open competition… all for show. Baker has got what he wanted and now we should see him totally focused on football. I think the biggest problem Carolina is going to have is going to be the coaching staff pressing unnecessary buttons.
“Open competition” wink wink
Doesn’t even matter who wins the job. Both are mediocre QB’s that don’t push the needle.
So when Darnold wins out the competition. What’s that say about the 2018 draft?
Some owners have no imagination or inclination to build a winning team. They just want to one a team.
The Panthers don’t give up a pick and Baker didn’t shave millions off his deal to come in and watch from the sidelines. Short of injury he’ll be starting week 1.
Yeah yeah yeah. Sure. Open competition. The Panthers need a complete administration makeover.