Mayfield not seeking trade despite losing starting job
Baker Mayfield lost his starting role to P.J. Walker for Week 8 but remains committed to the Carolina Panthers.
"I want to be here," Mayfield said Thursday, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. "I have spent enough time with these guys that I want to be here. If that's out of my control, it's out of my control. But just roll with the punches."
Mayfield has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Interim head coach Steve Wilks said Walker would start Sunday's contest against the Atlanta Falcons due to his impressive performance in last week's victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"We all want to play. That's the nature of this business, that's the nature of playing sports. My role right now is to help us win any way I can," Mayfield said, per The Athletic's Joe Person.
He added, "Obviously, I'd like to be out there, but P.J. played his ass off and deserves to go out there again and play. So, I'll do whatever I can to help this team win."
Mayfield, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns, has struggled across his five starts this season. The 2018 No. 1 pick has completed 54.9% of his passes for four touchdowns to four interceptions while racking up a 1-4 record.
The Panthers head into Week 8 with a mark of 2-5.