Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold got caught up in Panthers’ crazy at-quarterback – Carolina Panthers blog

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterbacks Sam Darnold And Baker Mayfield One thing is certain.

“It’s a crazy business,’’ Darnold said on Wednesday.

Crazy in that Darnold is against the Denver Broncos Sunday, January 1, at 1 p.m. ET, Fox), making him third quarterback to start for Panthers in just three weeks.

Darnold will replace Mayfield. Darnold beat Mayfield in an open competition at training camp. Mayfield went 1-4 for the first four matches before sustaining a high ankle injury that allowed P.J. to take over. Walker was unable to play last week due to a high ankle strain. Walker was able to return as the starter.

Mayfield is out again as the starter after throwing two fourth-quarter interceptions in Sunday’s 13-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Steve Wilks was appointed interim coach to replace Mayfield, who started the season as an injured reserve player with a high-ankle sprain.

“It is a crazy year,’’ Mayfield said. “There’s a lot of strange things happening [at quarterback around the league]. . . . The quarterback room has handled the situation in the most professional way, taking the punches and rolling with it. We’re just doing what we’re told.’’

Mayfield may be leaving Carolina after being replaced the second time. However, this could not have been before the season ends. The team could move on from Mayfield who has a terrible Total Quarterback Rating (17.8).

“There’s a lot of things up in the air for the future here, so I don’t really know,’’ Mayfield said. “I’m doing what I can, what I can control. I know how my teammates feel about me and how I’ve handled things here. So I can leave here with my held high and understand that I did everything I could.’’

The Panthers (38-8) currently have the No. The Panthers currently have the No. They’ve had eight different starters since.

On Sunday, they’ll have started three different quarterbacks in three of the last four seasons.

Darnold was the choice this week, as Wilks wanted to see how he could contribute to an offense that relied on the running and offensive lines for at least 169 yards in each of the previous four games.

“That’s where it all starts,’’ Wilks said. “There’s not any indecision with the quarterbacks. I’m looking for that right mix and that guy that can come in and manage and operate the offense to the fullest.’’

Wilks declined to speculate on what the Panthers will do if Walker is ready to return after next week’s bye.

Mayfield believes that this year has been an educational experience, regardless of what happens.

“Did I draw it up this way? No,’’ Mayfield said. “You’ve got to handle the situation everywhere you go. It’s never gonna go as planned. That’s kind of how the season’s gone.’’

Darnold was the third pick of 2018’s draft by the New York Jets, is back in the starting lineup the same week that the Jets benched Zach WilsonHe was replaced by a player named.

“I’m not really paying too much attention to what’s going on over there,’’ Darnold said with a smile. “But I did see it. It’s a crazy business.’’