Baker Mayfield has had a terrible fall from grace.
On Monday, Panthers’ head coach Steve Wilks told reporters that P.J. Walker will get the start next week. He is fresh off a 37-34 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons where he completed 19 of his 36 pass attempts for 317 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. It should’ve ended in a win, but DJ Moore taking his helmet off screwed things up.
“My philosophy, you guys have heard this, is about winning today,” Wilks said when asked if Walker will be the starter for the rest of the season. “And that’s just really staying with the day-to-day operation with each week. So I can’t really go beyond this week and tell you exactly what’s gonna happen next week. So, just staying in the moment with Cincinnati, and PJ’s the starter this week.”
This will be Walker’s third consecutive start for the Panthers, as Mayfield hasn’t played since their 37-15 loss in week 5 to the San Francisco 49ers.
So what is he doing?
The footage below shows Mayfield playing on defense during practice.
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Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who is still nursing a high-ankle sprain, will presumably remain as factors in the conversation as 2022 rolls on. As long as Walker continues to play like he is, both of them might be playing defensive end on the practice field for the next few weeks.
In total, Walker has completed 50 of his 80 passes (62.5%) for 614-yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception.
The Bengals and Panthers will kick off on Sunday.
