Lea: The Carolina Panthers still don't have a franchise quarterback
Posted September 18, 2022 4:28 p.m. EDT
Updated September 19, 2022 12:07 p.m. EDT
Two games won't tell the full story of Baker Mayfield as the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. But two games has shown that the Panthers' search for a franchise quarterback will continue in 2023.
Mayfield doesn't seem to be prone to the mental lapses that Sam Darnold displayed last season, but he isn't much better.
Baker missed what probably would've been a sure touchdown to a wide open Shi Smith, who got behind the Giants secondary. That was just one example of bad throws or decisions made by the Panthers starting quarterback, making it painfully obvious that the Panthers may not win many games because of Mayfield. They'll need to get it elsewhere.
Early fumbles by Chuba Hubbard and Robbie Anderson, putting the Panthers in an early 6-0 hole, certainly isn't Mayfield's fault, but it proves the point. He just isn't good enough to pull the Panthers through, even after a small deficit.
This loss shouldn't be put squarely on Mayfield's shoulders. The turnovers were mentioned earlier. The head coach should be mentioned here.
Since becoming the Panthers head coach in 2020, Matt Rhule has had the services of Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, Cam Newton and now Mayfield. Newton, historically is the best quarterback from the group, but hasn't played to MVP-level since getting hurt in 2018. Still, none of these signal callers have been able to get the Panthers offense to be a formidable NFL threat. No one plays the Carolina Panthers worried about what the offense can do. That falls back on the head coach.
And now, the best option is to just start all over in 2023.
