When the Panthers traded for Baker Mayfield, it seemed pretty clear they wanted him to take the reins this year. However, Matt Rhule wanted him to fight for the job before announcing who would be QB1.
This week, Carolina finally announced that Mayfield will be the starting quarterback in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season against his former team, the Cleveland Browns.
That means Sam Darnold‘s aspirations of keeping the job are over after weeks of fighting for the position. Though it’s not what he wanted, he didn’t complain about the Panthers’ decision to bench him.
Sam Darnold not mad about losing Panthers’ QB job to Baker Mayfield
“We were fighting for the starting job,” Darnold said, via ProFootballTalk. “Every day was our game day out there during camp, especially as we got into these last couple weeks. . . . Obviously it didn’t go my way. Coach named Baker the starter. My mindset is it is what it is. For me, right now, I’m gonna do everything I can to support Baker and get him ready to play a game.”
At the end of the day, this is a team sport, regardless of which position you’re playing. Darnold had his chance last year, and he didn’t seize it. Now it’s Mayfield’s turn, and Darnold has no option but to support him and be ready in case he’s needed.
