Panthers announce Baker Mayfield as starter for Week 1 vs. Browns

Baker Mayfield is officially QB1 in Carolina.

The former No. 1 overall pick, acquired in a July trade with the Cleveland Browns, will start Week 1 after beating out Sam Darnold in training camp, the Panthers announced Monday.

Mayfield's first start will come against his former team, as Carolina hosts Cleveland to kick off its 2022 season Sept. 11.

Mayfield appeared to be on the verge of establishing himself as a franchise player after he led the Browns to an 11-5 record in 2020. But after throwing for 3,563 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions, various injuries caused Mayfield to take a major step back in 2021. Cleveland opted to go in a different direction by trading for Deshaun Watson.

Darnold, another fellow 2018 first-rounder, will now be relegated to a backup role in the Panthers' quarterback room. The 25-year-old struggled in 11 starts last year after arriving in a trade with the New York Jets, completing less than 60% of his passes for 2,527 yards, nine touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

Veteran signal-caller P.J. Walker will round out the quarterback group. Third-round rookie Matt Corral is expected to miss the entire 2022 season due to a Lisfranc injury.