Who is the starting quarterback for the carolina panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The Carolina Panthers will start PJ Walker at quarterback for the third-straight game when they face the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football this week.

The decision was announced by interim head coach Steve Wilks a day after Carolina was blown out by the Cincinnati Bengals to fall to 2-7 on the year.

Walker went 3 for 10 for 9 yards with two interceptions in the first half before being benched for early-season starter Baker Mayfield. Mayfield threw two touchdowns in the second half.

Despite the poor performance, Walker will get another shot just two weeks after he led the Panthers to overtime against the same Falcons team in Week 8. Walker had a 119.1 passer rating in the second half of that game. That included a 62-yard Hail Mary touchdown to wide receiver DJ Moore.

Last year’s starter, Sam Darnold was activated on Monday morning, leaving Carolina with three possible starting QBs.

The Panthers also fired two coaches on Monday following the loss to the Bengals. Cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper and defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni were relieved from their duties.

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield isn't ruled out for Sunday's game in Los Angeles but would be the backup if he is active.

Interim coach Steve Wilks said Friday that P.J. Walker will get the start against the Rams, and Mayfield (ankle; doubtful) could suit up as the backup if he ends up being active.

"Baker had a great workout this morning. Looked good," Wilks said. "Definitely could be the backup."

Walker will make his first start of 2022 and his third for the Panthers. Walker is 2-0 as a starter in his career, winning in Week 11, 2020, versus Detroit (20-0) and Week 10, 2021, at Arizona (34-10).

It's the second time Walker will face a Matthew Stafford-led team. Walker led the Panthers over Stafford's Lions in 2020. With a win, Walker would become only the fourth player since starts were first tracked in 1950 to win each of his first three QB starts in different seasons. Others: John Stofa with Miami and Cincinnati in 1966-68; Jeff Hostetler with NYG in 1988-90; and Jason Garrett with Dallas in 1993-98.

As for Mayfield, he prides himself on playing through injuries. The Panthers not ruling him out on Friday could be a nod to that determination. But there is little reason to believe he'd be in shape to keep Carolina competitive after not practicing all week.

Elsewhere, the Panthers listed corner Jaycee Horn (ribs), cornerback C.J. Henderson (knee), linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder), CB Donte Jackson (ankle), guard Cameron Erving (groin) and receiver Robbie Anderson (illness) as questionable. Receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (hamstring) and CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (thigh) are out.

In a move most everyone saw coming from the moment he became a Panther, Baker Mayfield has been named Carolina's starting quarterback to open the 2022 season.

Head coach Matt Rhule announced his decision Monday.

"When we started this process, we were looking at three things," Rhule said, via the team's website. "No. 1, mastery of the offense, No. 2, situational football excellence, and No. 3, moving the ball and getting guys involved. That's been our focus all along.

"Baker has made a lot of improvement, a lot of growth in all three areas in a short amount of time."

Cleveland traded Mayfield to Carolina in early July in exchange for a 2024 conditional fifth-round draft pick, officially ending his time with the Browns and giving the 27-year-old an opportunity to prove he could still be a viable starter in the NFL. Mayfield needed only to beat out Sam Darnold -- a 2021 acquisition who fell short of expectations in his first year in Charlotte -- for the starting job with the Panthers.

"Obviously, Sam and I knew this day was gonna eventually come," Mayfield said. "But, we weren't counting down the days, we didn't know when it was gonna happen or anything like that. Just this morning, I was made aware I was going to be starting. Saw Sam shortly after and he made it very clear that anything I needed in support or in terms of that aspect, he was gonna be there. That just shows what kind of team guy he is. Honestly, just an unfortunate circumstance that we're both here in the same year, fighting for a job, but that's the kind of guy he is.

"I truly, truly appreciate that and he's a great guy."

Darnold reacted to Rhule's decision with class and grace.

"My mindset is it is what it is," Darnold told reporters on Monday. "And for me, right now, I'm going to do everything I can to support Baker and get him ready to play a game."

Mayfield had less than a month to learn Carolina's offense, yet he apparently overcame those challenges to earn the position. He saw brief preseason action in Week 1, completing 4 of 7 passes for 45 yards before being replaced by Darnold. Evidently, his performance in that short stint and during all of training camp was enough to convince Rhule to proceed with Mayfield as his top quarterback. Darnold will serve as Mayfield's backup, per Rhule.

"All along, we've felt like we need to have a really strong quarterback room, and have every quarterback ready to play," Rhule said. "The reality of this league is most teams will play multiple quarterbacks. Sam has worked incredibly hard, played really well for us during training camp, and will be ready to go if and when it's needed."

Mayfield will see more work when he takes the field as Carolina's starting quarterback in its third preseason game versus Buffalo, Rhule said. From there, Mayfield will prepare to take over as QB1 with his new team in what is a crucial season for his future in the NFL.

Carolina opens the 2022 season against Mayfield's former team, the Browns, in Charlotte. We can guarantee plenty of eyes will be on Bank of America Stadium for the 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Sept. 11.

"Obviously, there's a lot of attachment there," Mayfield said of playing the Browns. "I'm not gonna sit here and be a robot and say that it doesn't mean anything. It will. But right now all that matters is me continuing to improve until this regular season starts."

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