Panthers’ Baker Mayfield ‘rolling with the punches’ as QB2

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Baker Mayfield, regardless of being wholesome sufficient to play on Sunday when the Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons, is accepting his position because the backup to journeyman quarterback PJ Walker.

This would be the first time for the reason that first three video games of his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns that the highest decide of the 2018 draft hasn’t began when wholesome.

“It is a type of issues. It is a type of new issues,” Mayfield stated Thursday in his first interview since being sidelined for 2 video games with a excessive ankle sprain. “You simply should roll with the punches. It is not my plan, clearly. I am a competitor, however I am rolling with the punches to assist this group out in any method I can.

“I got here right here to win. If it is my position to assist PJ out from the sideline and assist this protection out with scout group stuff, I am gonna do it. And I am gonna do it with every part I can.”

Mayfield added he does not need to be traded earlier than Tuesday’s NFL deadline.

“I’ve spent sufficient occasions with these guys,” Mayfield stated. “I need to be right here.”

Mayfield stated this case is completely different than it was in Cleveland within the spring when he requested to be traded after the Browns started pursuing former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

“That is a really completely different state of affairs,” stated Mayfield, who was acquired by the Panthers in a July commerce. “They had been 1-31 earlier than I obtained there. That is very completely different. I am not going to get into that. It is not even comparable conditions.”

Mayfield additionally admitted he is at a crossroads in his profession as he performs out his fifth-year possibility on his preliminary NFL contract.

“It is clearly instrumental,” Mayfield stated. “Fifth-year possibility. There is not any extra ensures that I will be right here. So I am simply attempting to deal with it in addition to I presumably can, do no matter position that’s and do it one of the best I can and roll with the punches.

“I belief the opinions on this constructing that they see the work I put in consistently and I would like the group to win. That is simply who I’m.”

Regardless of the choice to go together with Walker, Mayfield additionally confirmed assist for interim coach Steve Wilks, who was with him in Cleveland in 2019 because the Browns’ defensive coordinator.

“You have obtained respect that he calls it like he sees it,” Mayfield stated. “He does not maintain again. He is clear. That that is what it is all about.”

This can be Walker’s third straight begin for Carolina (2-5) since Mayfield was injured in a Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Sooner or later later, coach Matt Rhule was fired.

Wilks introduced Monday he was sticking with Walker this week no matter whether or not Mayfield or veteran Sam Darnold, additionally coping with an ankle harm, had been wholesome.

Mayfield, who began 59 straight video games at Cleveland after changing Tyrod Taylor in 2018, made it clear he was wholesome sufficient to play.

“If I am going on the market and training, I can play,” stated Mayfield, who missed two video games for the Browns in 2021 due to a shoulder harm.

Mayfield could not say sufficient good issues about Walker, a former XFL star who started his NFL profession in 2017 as an undrafted rookie with the Indianapolis Colts.

“I do not suppose he is ever had that mindset he was fourth on the depth chart,” Mayfield stated. “PJ’s an incredible chief. He is an incredible quarterback. He is a man that is constantly stepped up on this place. He is clearly been a number of different spots, however he did not hesitate. He went in there and simply did his factor. I’ve an amazing quantity of respect for PJ as a participant, however extra in order a person.”

Mayfield is ready of getting to earn the job again for a motive. He ranked final within the NFL in Whole QBR (15.3) through the first 5 video games and is on course for profession lows in virtually each statistical class.

Walker is 3-1 as a starter — and 1-1 this season — since coming into the league in 2020. He had a Whole QBR of 73.9 in Sunday’s 21-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, finishing 16 of twenty-two move makes an attempt for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo stated Mayfield is dealing with his position because the backup nicely.

“Baker is Baker. Baker has no scarcity of confidence,” McAdoo stated. “He is performed lots of soccer on this league. I do not see something completely different from him. He is serving to out in any method that he can.”

Darnold, the 2021 starter who misplaced the beginning job in coaching camp, stated Mayfield has a “nice, optimistic angle on a regular basis.”

“It is enterprise,” Darnold stated. “There is not any change in physique language, nobody shaking their head in [the quarterback room]. Regardless of the deal is, we perceive what it’s. PJ is enjoying this week and we’re doing one of the best to assist him.”

Extensive receiver DJ Moore says Mayfield understands the enterprise.

“I do know he needs he was the starter, however he is the backup proper now,” Moore stated. “So he will inspire PJ one of the best ways he can.”