Just four years ago, Baker Mayfield became the surprise No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
Obviously, the Browns have since moved on by landing on Deshaun Watson as their future of the franchise instead.
This sudden change this past offseason opened up the possibility for Mayfield to land with a new team, namely the Carolina Panthers.
But even once he arrived to the Panthers, Mayfield entered a two-man QB competition, battling with the third overall pick from the same draft class, in Sam Darnold.
While the battle may not have been a legitimate duel, Mayfield nevertheless emerged as the starter.
The same week the announcement was made that Mayfield would be Carolina’s QB1, Darnold suffered a high ankle sprain to wipe him out at least the first few weeks of the season.
Buried in the madness of the Carolina QB situation is that both Mayfield and Darnold are in the final year of their rookie contracts and are set to be free agents at the end of the season.
Of course, strong play by either one could prompt general manager Scott Fitterer to offer a contract extension to either quarterback,
but the Panthers are more likely to keep their options open.
Then again, that line of thinking flies in the face of what one NFL insider believes.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano “wouldn’t be surprised” if Mayfield returns to Carolina next season,
whether in a starting role or as a backup remains to be seen.