There is one fewer starting quarterback battle ongoing in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers, as expected, have named trade acquisition Baker Mayfield as their Week 1 starting quarterback against the visiting Cleveland Browns, Mayfield's former team. Mayfield's long-term replacement, Deshaun Watson, is currently suspended, so it'll be Jacoby Brissett under center for Cleveland. The Browns had been as high as -4.5 for the opener but now are +1 at Caesars Sportsbook.
“When we started this proc ess, we were looking at three things,” Coach Matt Rhule said. “Number one, mastery of the offense, number two, situational football excellence, and number three, moving the ball and getting guys involved. That's been our focus all along. Baker has made a lot of improvement, a lot of growth in all three areas in a short amount of time.”
Mayfield and Darnold split reps evenly through the first three weeks of training camp. Mayfield is 0-3 straight up and 1-2 against the spread in his three season openers. He didn't start the first game in his 2018 rookie season; Tyrod Taylor did and Cleveland tied Pittsburgh 21-21. In 2019, the Browns were creamed at home by the Tennessee Titans 43-13. Mayfield threw for 285 yards and a touchdown, but was also picked off three times and sacked five times. In 2020, Cleveland was crushed 38-6 in Baltimore. Mayfield threw for 189 yards with a TD and pick. Last year, the Browns lost 33-29 in Kansas City. The 2017 Heisman Tro phy winner was 21-for-28 for 321 yards and a pick.
Mayfield is Carolina's fourth different Week 1 starter in as many years, following Darnold in 2021 (beat the Jets 19-14), Teddy Bridgewater in 2020 (lost at home to Raiders 34-30) and Cam Newton in 2019 (lost 30-27 at home to Rams). The Panthers gave the Browns a conditional fifth-round pick in 2024 in exchange for Mayfield. That pick could become a fourth-rounder in 2024 if he starts most of the season (around 70 percent of the snaps, or roughly 12 games).