The Carolina Panthers were losing 35-0 at halftime on Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals, due largely to Bengals running back Joe Mixon’s epic four-touchdown first-half performance.
The Panthers decided to make a surprising move at quarterback to start the second half when head coach Steve Wilks benched former XFL MVP P.J. Walker and replaced him with summer free agent signing Baker Mayfield. Mayfield had started the 2022 season for the Panthers, only to lose his starting spot after being injured and not returning to the position when he regained his health.
Mayfield promptly led the Panthers down the field to make the game 35-7, though Mixon added his fifth touchdown shortly thereafter.
The NFL was quick to react to Mayfield’s field promotion:
If there’s one thing Baker Mayfield can do, it’s carve up the Bengals.
— Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) November 6, 2022
“If there’s one thing Baker Mayfield can do, it’s carve up the Bengals,” Nick Pedone tweeted.
Baker Mayfield: pic.twitter.com/zKmXfVmc9R
— Dimers Sports Analytics (@DimersCom) November 6, 2022
“Baker Mayfield [is like a cockroach, you can’t get rid of him],” joked Dimers.com
Death, taxes, Baker Mayfield having success against the Bengals.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) November 6, 2022
“Death, taxes, Baker Mayfield having success against the Bengals,” Ben Baby said.
No one better down 35-0 than Baker Mayfield
— Jim Pignatiello (@JPignatiello) November 6, 2022
“No one better down 35-0 than Baker Mayfield,” Jim Pignatiello tweeted.
Baker Mayfield already making the case to start on Thursday night for Panthers.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 6, 2022
“Baker Mayfield already making the case to start on Thursday night for Panthers,” Pro Football Talk tweeted.
The Panthers traded for Mayfield after he spent his first four years in the league with the Cleveland Browns.
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