LANDOVER, Md. — Baker Mayfield's first drive was a productive one.
In his first preseason start, Mayfield was a reasonable 4-of-7 for 46 yards passing, and led a 13-play field goal drive to open the game, staking the Panthers to a 3-0 lead.
Mayfield missed a chance at a big play when a deep ball to Robbie Anderson was broken up in the end zone, but he did have a couple of nice third-down conversions to Shi Smith. There was an apparent miscommunication on his final third down play, as his pass and receiver Brandon Zylstra were not in the same location.
He was out there without Christian McCaffrey and DJ Moore, so it was an encouraging debut.
That represented the day for Mayfield, since the plan was to let him play eight to 10 snaps, and then make way for Sam Darnold.
Stay tuned to Panthers.com for all the post-game reaction from the quarterbacks and the rest of the day's news.
See photos of Panthers playing at FedEx Field during Saturday's preseason game against the Commanders.
Washington Commanders cornerback Kendall Fuller, left, can't stop a touchdown catch by Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rashard Higgins during the first half of a NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers running back D'Onta Foreman (33) jumps but is tackled by Washington Commanders safety Kamren Curl, left, during the first half of a NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Arron Mosby, center, celebrates his fumble recovery with defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon, left, and safety Xavier Woods during the first half of a NFL preseason football game against the Washington Commanders, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robbie Anderson, left, can't catch a pass as Washington Commanders safety Bobby McCain defends during the first half of a NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Arron Mosby, right, recovers a fumble during the first half of a NFL preseason football game against the Washington Commanders, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) reaches to take the handoff from quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the first half of a NFL preseason football game against the Washington Commanders, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
LB - 40 - Brandon Smith
LB - 50 - Julian Stanford
SAF - 34 - Sean Chandler
LB - 40 - Sean Chandler
DB - 29 - Duke Dawson
QB - 11 - P.J. Walker
SAF - 34 - Sean Chandler
DB - 29 - Duke Dawson
CB - 23 - Stantley Thomas-Oliver
DE - 92 - Darryl Johnson
CB - 23 - Stantley Thomas-Oliver
SAF - 34 - Sean Chandler
SAF - 34 - Sean Chandler
C - 56 - Cory Littleton
G - 73 - Mike Jordan
FB - 45 - Giovanni Ricci
