Matt Rhule details timeline of Panthers trading for Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield was the big addition for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. The franchise was constantly connected to him throughout the adverse end of his Cleveland Browns career. Although they still had Sam Darnold and drafted Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, they pulled the trigger on a deal for Mayfield at the start of July for a conditional 5th-round draft pick in 2024. Panthers head coach Matt Rhule says it was a long process. However, it was one that was best for the team in the end.

Rhule talked about the timeline of acquiring Mayfield during a press conference ahead of the Panther’s opening to training camp this week. He said this went all the way back to the 2022 NFL Draft with several course changes since then.

“Scott (Fitterer) and I had that conversation before the draft and in the draft. We were talking about that (but) the deal just didn’t happen. It was sort of an ongoing conversation until it finally did occur,” said Rhule. “Other times it looked like it wasn’t going to occur. In spring and OTAs, we became really excited about what Sam was doing. When we got Matt we were obviously excited. There was a time that (I) wasn’t sure it was going to happen. When the time came, we felt like it was the right thing for the team and we did it.”

With that stretch behind them, it’s now all about what Mayfield’s timeline is moving forward. He’ll compete against Darnold, Corral and PJ Walker for Carolina’s starting QB spot during training camp in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Rhule says Mayfield has hit the ground running, though. Film and playbook study since the trade plus connections on the Panther’s staff already have him ahead of schedule.

“We were able to get him the playbook, an IPad, all those things once it was official. He was able to start on his own. I think when you have a guy like Baker, he has had several different offensive coordinators in his time. He has gone through this process,” Rhule said. “He knows what it takes to learn a new offense so he’s kind of had that head start by going back and watching tapes, watching the installs, having the playbook in his hands, and then he has a history with coach (James) Campen.”

Mayfield will have to shake the negative impression he earned last season with Cleveland. He’ll also need to prove he can master this offense over QBs who’ve played in Matt Rhule and Ben McAdoo’s system already. Mayfield has a long way to go but, with the help of the offensive staff, Rhule sees Mayfield as a competitor for the job as the Panthers head to camp this week.

“He has to get here, he has to learn the offense, and he has to go from level one of knowing the offense to level four mastery where you’re unconsciously confident. That’s part of his journey when he gets here. Ben will do a great job having a plan for him, scripting plays for him so he can really grow in the offense as we get going.”