The noise around Carolina Panthers QB, Baker Mayfield, continues to get louder.
Mayfield played terribly in Week 4 as the Panthers fell to the Arizona Cardinals 26-16.
In the game, the former first-overall pick turned the ball over three times and had five passes batted down.
ESPN media personality, Stephen A. Smith, has some choice words for the Panthers’ QB after this game.
Baker Mayfield- Stephen A Smith is not mad at you, he’s just disappointed in you. pic.twitter.com/GEMLxqM5vy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 3, 2022
Stephen A. has never been shy when it comes to criticizing players.
This time the criticism is warranted.
Mayfield was brought to Carolina with hopes that he could be their franchise QB.
Instead, he has made the Panthers worse and might be in danger of losing the starting QB job before the season is over.
Smith said, “You do not look like a starting quarterback in the national football league.”
That statement could not be more true through four weeks.
Of all the quarterbacks who have played this year Mayfield might not be one of the best 32.
Backups Jacoby Brissett and Cooper Rush have been better than Mayfield, and have helped their teams win games.
In the one game the Panthers won, Mayfield still completed less than 50% of his passes.
Panthers fans started to boo after this play by Baker Mayfield 👀
(via @NFLonFOX)pic.twitter.com/OMzdXnraha
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 2, 2022
Any game Carolina wins will be despite Mayfield, not because of him.
Stephen A. exclaimed, “Your career is in jeopardy because that’s how sorry you look.”
It has been quite the fall from grace for the 2018 first-overall pick.
Mayfield went from leading the Browns to the playoffs and winning a game, to now a borderline NFL starter.
After this season it would be a surprise if Mayfield finds a starting job in 2023.
All the teams in need of a QB will be looking for someone younger and more productive.
Despite the harsh words, Smith explained how he wants to see Mayfield succeed, “I’m not saying it to get on you. I am saying it to get you up because I know you’re better than this.”
Mayfield has always been one of the more outspoken QBs in the NFL, so it will be interesting to see if he responds to this criticism.
Either way, Mayfield and the Panthers both know winning is the only thing that will cure their problems.
The pressure is on the 27-year-old QB to save his career over the final few months of the NFL season.
