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The quarterback contest that never really felt like a contest won’t be for long.
As expected, Baker Mayfield is expected to be named a starter in Carolina. TheAthletic.com reports that it’s inevitable. However, no timeline for the release of the announcement was applied.
The Panthers were traded for Mayfield after completing the offseason program. The mere fact that the deal went through gave the impression that the Panthers wanted Mayfield to play over Sam Darnold. But when former Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, who currently works for the team as a broadcaster, stated that Darnold has the upper hand in the competition, some wondered if the Panthers would simply add Mayfield as a buy-low proposition and get him for one had fifth-round election and only pays $5 million of his salary. (The Browns pay $10.5 million.)
Then, when camp opened, the coaching staff split up the first-team representatives, giving Darnold what appeared to be a fair shot at winning the job while Mayfield had less chance of being comfortable on a new team with a new offense. Though Mayfield doesn’t get the full mass of reps, he’s convinced the coaching staff — and presumably the dressing room, too — that he’s the better option, at least if the Browns come to town for the first week.
Even if Mayfield starts every game, Darnold is actually going to make more money this year. He has a fifth-year option salary of $18.8 million, along with the 17th game sweetener of $1.1 million. Mayfield, who was originally on the same salary as a fifth-year, agreed to a pay cut of more than $3 million. While he can earn it back through incentives, he must have a very special year (more than $1 million is tied to getting to the Super Bowl and winning it), the 17th game check is gone forever.
Of course, Mayfield isn’t thinking of not making nearly $20 million in 2022. He’s thinking about earning a lot more in 2023 and beyond. To get there, he must play. And apparently he will, at least when the season starts.
After that it’s up to him. He has to be effective. He also needs to stay healthy. His this-is-my-job attitude in Cleveland allowed him to play with a bad non-throwing shoulder when he clearly shouldn’t have been on the field. He likely won’t receive such homage at Carolina, especially with the coaching staff also thinking a lot more about 2023 and beyond.