Panthers' Baker Mayfield snaps back about question on passes batted down

The pressure to revive his NFL career coupled with a handful of lackluster performances may be getting to Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield. 

As Ryan Glasspiegel noted for the New York Post, Mayfield was asked during Wednesday's media availability about issues he's experienced with passes being batted down at the line of scrimmage, particularly during this past Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals that dropped the Panthers to 1-3 on the season. Specifically, a reporter wondered if the signal-caller listed at 6-foot-1 could complete any practice drills that might help "alleviate that problem" on gamedays. 

"No, I mean it still goes to what we’ve been talking about, finding windows to throw in-game, and also being sure to get our hands down when it comes to quick game — things like that," Mayfield responded. "Just finding windows." 

Mayfield then encountered a question about trying "something new or change something drill-wise" during midweek sessions. 

"If you have a drill for me, let me know," the first overall pick from the 2018 draft snapped back. "It’s staying in the pocket, finding windows to throw, getting their hands down in quick game, everything I said." 

As David Newton explained for ESPN, Mayfield has thus far had a season-high 11 passes batted down at the line of scrimmage since Week 1. No NFL quarterback has had more passes batted down at the line since Mayfield entered the league. 

"Mayfield's 15.3 total QBR is the second worst by a quarterback in his first four games of a season since ESPN began tracking the statistic in 2006," Newton added. 

Mayfield heard boos during the home loss to Arizona and seemed to lash out at fans via his post-game comments that probably sounded somewhat familiar to those who support the Cleveland Browns. Life won't get any easier for the 27-year-old this coming Sunday, as the Panthers will welcome the 2-2 San Francisco 49ers to town.