CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers waived quarterback Baker Mayfield on Monday.
“It is a powerful enterprise,” interim coach Steve Wilks stated Monday. “Sitting on this seat, it was a troublesome choice on my half, however one thing I felt like was the perfect transfer for the group shifting ahead.”
Carolina (4-8) continues to be in rivalry within the weak NFC South and can go the remainder of the season with Sam Darnold and PJ Walker at quarterback, with Darnold anticipated to start out Sunday’s highway recreation in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks.
Wilks stated the choice to maneuver on from Mayfield was a mutual settlement between the 2 sides and that Mayfield requested for his launch after studying he would not be the starter or backup shifting ahead.
With the transfer, Mayfield will probably be out there on waivers to the opposite 31 NFL groups. If he goes unclaimed by 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, he’ll develop into an unrestricted free agent.
Among the many groups presumably trying so as to add a veteran quarterback are the San Francisco 49ers, who misplaced starter Jimmy Garoppolo for the season Sunday to a damaged ankle, and the Baltimore Ravens, who could possibly be with out Lamar Jackson (knee) for a number of weeks. Rookie Brock Purdy completed the 49ers’ 33-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins, whereas veteran Tyler Huntley completed the Ravens’ 10-9 win over the Denver Broncos.
“He felt and we felt we needed to present him the chance to hunt no matter him and his agent felt was greatest for him,” Wilks stated. “He has been nothing however an expert for us, so I needed to increase that courtesy.”
The Panthers acquired Mayfield in a commerce with the Cleveland Browns in July, agreeing to ship a conditional 2024 fifth-round draft decide to Cleveland that might have develop into a fourth had Mayfield, the primary decide of the 2018 NFL draft, performed 70% of the snaps. That didn’t occur.
Mayfield received the beginning job in coaching camp after an open competitors with Darnold, the third decide of the 2018 draft. He went 1-4 earlier than struggling a excessive ankle sprain that sidelined him for one recreation. He remained the backup to Walker whereas Darnold continued to rehab from a excessive ankle sprain suffered within the ultimate preseason recreation.
Mayfield received one different begin, after Walker suffered an ankle sprain, and misplaced, ending his stint with the Panthers with a 1-5 report. He had a career-low 57.8 completion proportion and threw solely six landing passes to 6 interceptions.
Mayfield ranks final within the NFL in Whole QBR amongst certified quarterbacks with a ranking of 18.2. The following closest is Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills at 29.2.
Requested why Mayfield failed at Carolina, Wilks stated: “I would not say that he failed. I might say it simply did not work out. He is nonetheless a great soccer participant. Similar to coaches, identical to gamers typically, they simply want a change.”
Large receiver DJ Moore stated Mayfield was “upset” it got here to this.
“He was a bit of heartbroken,” he stated. “I do not know what occurred upstairs, however he was fairly bummed about it.”
“I would not say that he failed. I might say it simply did not work out. He is nonetheless a great soccer participant. Similar to coaches, identical to gamers typically, they simply want a change.”
Steve Wilks on Baker Mayfield
Moore stated Mayfield was a “cool dude” within the locker room and revered.
“I did not see that coming,” he stated of Mayfield’s exit from the group.
Neither did guard Austin Corbett, who spent his first two NFL seasons (2018-19) with Mayfield in Cleveland.
“It is an terrible enterprise, actually,” he stated. “I really feel so dangerous. He is such a great man. There’s love for him and his spouse, and I am simply gonna miss him.”
Corbett stated Mayfield met with the offensive line earlier than leaving the stadium.
“It is stunning to us,” he stated. “He is the final word teammate. All people liked him. He loves everyone in right here. It hurts. I simply hope any person claims him off waivers and he will get into one other room.”