The Panthers dropped to 1-3 on Sunday with a 26-16 loss to the Cardinals in Week 4. The one win came against the similarly struggling Saints. The record may not be entirely unexpected, but the manner in which it has been compiled has Panthers fans shifting in their seats.
The home crowd booed quarterback Baker Mayfield and the offense multiple times in a game that featured four Mayfield passes batted down at the line of scrimmage. Things came to a head when Mayfield had a pass knocked down on fourth-and-1.
The boos continued when Mayfield airmailed a third-down pass over the head of his intended target.
MORE: Panthers owner being patient with Matt Rhule, for now
Mayfield finished the day 22 of 36 for 197 yards, a touchdown, two interceptions and a 61.9 passer rating. For the year, Mayfield has completed 54.7 percent of his passes for 747 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The Panthers entered Sunday 23rd in the NFL with 5.1 yards per play. They averaged 4.3 yards per play against Arizona.
Will the Panthers change quarterbacks?
Behind Mayfield is Sam Darnold, who is a known quantity in Carolina. Darnold was the team’s starter for the majority of the 2021 season.
Both quarterbacks are playing on fifth-year options. Mayfield’s was picked up by the Browns before he was traded to the Panthers, and Darnold’s was picked up when the Panthers acquired him from the Jets.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said he didn’t consider a change Sunday, but he also didn’t commit to starting Mayfield against the 49ers in Week 5.
“I was just kind of in the moment like, ‘Hey, go to the next drive,’” Rhule told reporters. “Obviously, I know it wasn’t good enough. And I know the numbers aren’t what they need to be — in a lot of different areas.
“I have to, even as I said to the team, go back and see, ‘Hey, why is this happening? Why are we not playing better than this?’ I know we have the personnel on offense to make plays and it’s just not coming together the way it needs to.”
Under Rhule, the Panthers are 1-26 when opponents score more than 17 points. Rhule himself is now 11-26 overall with Carolina since being hired in 2020. His and Mayfield’s Panthers tenures could both be short-lived.
