Mayfield, Darnold to play a series in preseason opener against Commanders, coach says

WASHINGTON — The Carolina Panthers and the Washington Commanders are meeting for their first preseason game of the year on Saturday.

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Channel 9′s Phil Orban and DaShawn Brown will be in Washington, D.C. to break down the matchup against the Commanders. Then, the game will air immediately afterward at 1 p.m. on Channel 9.

>> You can watch our coverage in a special edition of Eyewitness News at noon Saturday, LIVE on Channel 9.

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Quarterback situation heats up

Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold, left, looks to throw as quarterback Baker Mayfield looks on during the NFL football team's training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., Wednesday, July 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold continue to battle for the Panthers’ starting quarterback job as the team’s time in Spartanburg winds down. Just two practices remain at training camp and then, it’s back home to Charlotte to prepare for the preseason.

On Thursday, head coach Matt Rhule said the quarterbacks will play a series during the preseason game against the Commanders.

So far, the work has been split fairly equally, with both quarterbacks getting plenty of work in with the first team. But each day, Mayfield seems more and more comfortable in the offense and may be starting to separate just a bit. He’s not focused on where he stands in the competition though -- he’s just trying to get better and learn from his mistakes.

“Now, just putting the finishing touch on it. There were a few things communication-wise with it, just different,” Mayfield said in a press conference. “Blitz looks and checking plays that I knew what I wanted to do, but just making sure we over-communicate those and just making sure everyone’s on the same page because when everyone is on the same page, good things happen.”

(WATCH BELOW: Panthers began training camp in Spartanburg)