Mayfield is in what the Panthers call an “open” competition with starting starter Sam Darnold for 2021. He will play the first string today and Darnold the second. The two split reps with the first team in the first phase of training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which ended Wednesday.
Coach Matt Rhule recently said he won’t decide on his Week 1 starter against Cleveland until after next week’s joint practices in New England and Friday’s preseason game against the Patriots. His mantra since the camp opened has been “when we know, we know.” But Mayfield was at FanFest Thursday night at Bank of America Stadium for the first time, and now heading into the preseason opener, signs the team is leaning toward him. Carolina acquired Mayfield last month in a trade with the Browns, who traded the top pick in the 2018 draft for Deshaun Watson.
