One of the biggest storylines of the NFL offseason has been Baker Mayfield. The former top pick in the 2018 draft fell out of good graces with the Cleveland Browns organization. The franchise elected to take the risk and move on from Mayfield and trade for DeShaun Watson. The writing was clearly on the wall for Mayfield's time in Cleveland, and he was ultimately traded to the Carolina Panthers for the small cost of a 2024 fourth-round pick.

While Mayfield was clearly eager for a clean slate, it is an interesting situation in Carolina as he will enter a true quarterback competition:

Sam Darnold was the Panthers' primary starting quarterback last season and showed some intriguing flashes. Baker Mayfield wanted to shut down any potential rumors of bad blood between the two ahead of him officially joining the team. While talking with Darin Gantt of Panthers.com, Mayfield gave a window into his mindset and relationship with Darnold:

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Xavier Legette (South Carolina), Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri) both in Panthers jerseys with 2024 NFL Draft background.

Shervon Fakhimi ·

Panthers coach Dave Canales and owner David Tepper surrounded by Chop Robinson, Penn State Xavier Legette, South Carolina, Malachai Corley, Western Kentucky, Ben Sinnott, Kansas State, CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State, Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State, and Dylan McMahon, North Carolina State with a 2024 NFL Draft background.

Tim Crean ·

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Gerard Angelo Samillano ·

“I think any of that has already been squashed… Sam reached out, got my number first. We've been talking about how to get the guys together the last minute before camp. It's been great. Sam just wants to win. That's just who he is. Our personalities might be different, but that doesn't mean we don't have the same goal, and that's to win and help this team out…I'm really looking forward to being in that room with him and just challenging each other, and elevating each other.”

This is also a huge sign of maturity in Baker Mayfield. He is in a contract year and will need to be on his best behavior this season. There have been some personality concerns in his past, but turning over a new leaf would improve his NFL appeal. It is important to note that both quarterbacks were in the 2018 draft class and Darnold was selected by the Jets with the third overall pick — two slots behind Mayfield. This is a great sign that both quarterbacks are on the same page heading into the season.