Despite trading for Baker Mayfield back on July 6—a pretty clear reaction to the uncertainty of Sam Darnold’s capabilities—Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule was dead set on having himself a quarterback competition this summer. And now, he might be paying the price.
Sunday’s season-opening loss to the Cleveland Browns was largely a comedy of errors, one that was perhaps highlighted by four botched snaps between Mayfield and center Pat Elflein. It was quite apparent, on each and every one of those four (four!) fumbles, that the chemistry just wasn’t there for the offense’s battery.
So, naturally, that gets you to think—did the Panthers waste too much time holding their quarterback battle? Did they take precious first-teams reps away from Mayfield, who was always the heavy favorite to earn the staring job, by entertaining Darnold?
Well, Rhule—who spoke with reporters on Monday following the Week 1 defeat—doesn’t believe so.
“I think the starting competition was what it was,” Rhule said. “I can’t go back. I think we had to do was right for the team and be certain about who our quarterback was. Yesterday was one of 17. The snaps, they were kinda a mixed bag. A couple hit Baker right in the hands, and we kinda expect him to catch those. And one was low.”
Luckily for Carolina, Mayfield did not lose any of those four fumbles. He did, though, struggle mightily throughout the course of the outing—particularly in a painfully disoriented first three quarters.
But, hey, at least there’s 16 more to go!
