When Baker Mayfield eventually suits up again for the Panthers, there’s no guarantee he’ll be sliding back into the role of QB1.
That’s according to Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks, who has been tasked to right a struggling Carolina ship following the firing of coach Matt Rhule last week after a dreadful 1-4 start.
“I can tell you right now those guys [in the quarterback room] are going to compete at that position just as well as other positions do to see who exactly goes out there on Sunday,” Wilks said Monday, according to ESPN.
Wilks, who previously served as Carolina’s defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach, did not commit to Mayfield when asked if the 27-year-old quarterback would be the team’s starter upon his recovery from a left ankle sprain.
Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass against the 49ers on Oct. 9, 2022. Getty Images“I can’t give you that answer,” Wilks said.
Mayfield, the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, was traded to the Panthers over the summer following four years with the Browns. Cleveland acquired his replacement in Deshaun Watson in March. Although Mayfield beat out former Jets quarterback, Sam Darnold, for the starting job, he struggled in his first five games of the season, throwing for four touchdowns against four interceptions.
“I haven’t played well enough, obviously. There’s a lot of ball left. We have to get it fixed,” Mayfield previously said.
Panthers coach Steve Wilks on the sideline during Sunday’s game against the Rams on Oct. 16, 2022. Getty Images“That’s how I’m wired. I don’t live in the past. I live in the moment. Figure it out and move forward.”
Mayfield is expected to be out for two-to-six weeks.
PJ Walker, who suffered a neck injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Rams, said he will be ready for practice later in the week, per ESPN. Darnold is also expected to come off of the injured reserve list in the near future.
Jacob Eason, who was elevated to the active roster this month, impressed Wilks with his play and poise on Sunday, when he entered the game for Walker.
“I told [Eason] on the plane I was very pleased with how he played with poise and really took the team down and put us in a position where we had an opportunity to score,” Wilks said.
The Panthers will host the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.
