Bye-bye, Baker: Carolina Panthers release quarterback Baker Mayfield

Driving the news: The Carolina Panthers released Mayfield with five games remaining in the regular season.

Context: Mayfield, a former No. 1 overall pick whom the Panthers traded for in July, started six games and only had one win. He also missed several games with an ankle sprain.

• He won the starting job in preseason, but was benched against the Broncos in favor of Sam Darnold.

The big picture: The Panthers haven’t tasted sustained winning in a while and their trip to the Super Bowl during the 2015 season feels like a million years ago. They are 4-8 and third in the NFC South, and fans are fed up.

• The team fired head coach Matt Rhule in October and named Charlotte native Steve Wilks interim head coach.

Between the lines: The team hasn’t had a true face of the franchise quarterback since Cam Newton. But even when they brought Superman back, he’d lost his ability to fly.

What’s next: Darnold will start vs. the Seahawks on Dec. 11.