Baker Mayfield: QB Battle Isn’t ‘About Trying to Stab One Another in the Back’

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Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold realize they’re battling for a starting position, but they’re not about to allow their competition to become contentious.

“It’s not about trying to stab one another in the back,” Mayfield said Monday, per Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer. “It’s about elevating, because the franchise and the team go as the QB room goes.”

The Panthers traded for Mayfield on July 6, which put him behind Darnold in terms of understanding the offensive terminology. Mayfield spent his offseason in a state of limbo while seeking a trade from the Cleveland Browns, meaning he had not been part of any offseason team work until the start of training camp.

Panthers coach Matt Rhule, who said he plans a patient approach in determining the starter, has been impressed with Mayfield’s quick uptake in practice.

“He’s definitely improving, as he gets more and more of a feel for what he can do at the line of scrimmage. … What he’s done in 10 days (of training camp practice) is pretty impressive. He’s making really good jumps,” Rhule said.

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

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