SPARTANBURG S.C. — The Carolina Panthers Turn the heat up Sam Darnold They traded earlier this month. Baker Mayfield Darnold believes they are both “cool” in battling for the starting quarterback position.
Darnold stated Tuesday that the Panthers would have fun if they could get things rolling in training camp. “At its core, this is a business. Both Darnold and I take what we do and our craft very seriously.
“So it’s going be serious when that time is comes, but off-the-field and all of the rest, me and Baker, are really cool.”
Darnold spoke for the first time since the Panthers traded Mayfield’s conditional 2024 draft pick to Cleveland in exchange for Mayfield. Mayfield was made expendable following the trade. Cleveland Browns Trade with the Houston Texans For Deshaun Watson.
This resulted in the 2018 draft’s top pick (Mayfield), being reunited with the third overall selection (Darnold).
Since entering the league, Mayfield has been a full-time starter with Cleveland while Darnold is with the New York Jets Panthers. They consider themselves to be starters, despite the fact that the Panthers have declared an open competition for the job.
Darnold said, “We’re both in the eyes of the starting quarterback for that team right now.” Darnold said, “And that’s the way we’re going to see it. It’s all about competing and having fun.
Matt Rhule, Carolina’s coach, stated that the competition would be beneficial for the team that has seen four quarterbacks over the past two years.
He doesn’t have an exact date, but he would like to know by the Sept. 11, against Cleveland, opener.
Rhule stated Tuesday, “If you set timelines for things, you end-up rushing and making poor decisions.” “This is all about being present and not making quick judgments,” Rhule said Tuesday.
Darnold agreed that the competition would be beneficial for both the team and himself.
“That’s not my job. I need to understand and evaluate why.” [the trade was made]He said, “Yes.” It’s all about winning. We all want to win the Panthers at the end of it all. All of us are part of the same team. They will do what they think is best to win the ballgames this season.
“If it’s Baker and me competing against each other and us competing for the starting job, then that’s the best for the team.”
Darnold was actually one of the first to contact Mayfield after the trade. He invited him to run back in the pre-camp training. Christian McCaffrey Other Carolina players in Charlotte
This weekend’s event included team bonding sessions and dinners at McCaffrey’s Lake Norman home.
Darnold stated, “I don’t think anyone here enjoys feeling awkward or being put in awkward situations.” “There will plenty of time to do that when training camp begins and we start actually competing.
“When I got the news, I had to take a couple days to process it and absorb the information. I discussed it with Coach, then I reached Baker to tell him all about the little throwing session we had.
Darnold claimed that Mayfield’s interaction has been “very cordial” thus far.
McCaffrey enjoys the dynamic between these two quarterbacks.
He stated, “Those guys are professionals.” “They are great players who have seen a lot of this league. They are both hungry. Both have huge chips on their shoulders. They will be competing with respect.”
Darnold finished fourth at Carolina with a record of 4-7 and is currently ranked 17-32 as an NFL starter. Mayfield finished 6-8 at Cleveland last season and is now 29-30.
Both are currently in the fifth and final years of their rookie agreements, so they’re looking for their futures.
Darnold stated, “Anytime you bring someone like Baker’s competitive levels out there on Sundays and not just on Sundays but on the practice fields, it can only benefit the room.” “It can only help our group.”