The guiding principle behind Baker Mayfield’s turbulent offseason has stayed constant: Control what you can control. Both the fact that Mayfield sustained several injuries in the 2021 season and the Browns’ assessment of him were outside of his control. The amount of money he would be prepared to forfeit from his guaranteed contract in return for a new beginning somewhere, on the other hand, was something he could control.
Following last week’s trade, that control eventually paid off with a new beginning in Charlotte with the Carolina Panthers after a protracted negotiating process. A new beginning does not, however, ensure Mayfield employment from day one.
Mayfield expressed his excitement for the fresh beginning in Charlotte at his news conference on Tuesday. “Evidently, I believe it is now rather well known; there are some recognizable faces, some individuals I know, and many more to meet. For myself, my family, and this new chapter, it’s just an exciting moment. I’m just very excited to be a Carolina Panther right now and am totally focused on that.”
