In the midst of the preseason action, former Panthers star Steve Smith is already casting his vote for the next leader of the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers’ quarterback lineup currently consists of Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, PJ Walker, and rookie Matt Corral, who unfortunately might be sidelined for the season due to a lisfranc injury.
Despite neither Darnold nor Mayfield taking the field in the Panthers’ recent 20-10 loss to the Patriots, Smith didn’t shy away from expressing his choice for Carolina’s starting quarterback in the season opener against the Browns.
Describing Mayfield, who joined the Panthers in a trade this July, as having the “charisma,” “swagger,” and a “John Wayne” mindset, Smith’s comments on Darnold highlighted a contrasting image, suggesting that Darnold is more likely to lull you to sleep with a book in hand.
“We don’t need any librarians,” Smith remarked about Darnold.
Ultimately, the Panthers made the decision to appoint Mayfield as the team’s starting quarterback for the upcoming season.
Interestingly, Smith, who previously defended Darnold, has shifted his perspective and now holds Mayfield in high regard, despite having been critical of him in the past.
He notably criticized Mayfield’s performance during his time with the Browns, labeling him as “not very good”.
