Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield Griffin Zetterberg-USA TODAY Sports

Christian McCaffrey: Baker Mayfield is showing up to Panthers practice at 5 a.m. every day

Baker Mayfield is now the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. This is his second chance in the NFL, and the former No. 1 overall pick is apparently taking it very seriously.

Mayfield is so serious that he's put himself on the Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant workout plan. Kobe, especially, was known for being at the gym bright and early — sometimes even at 4am — and he never stopped working on his game no matter how great he became.

That's good news for the Panthers and their fans because at least according to running back Christian McCaffrey, Mayfield is putting in the work.

Mayfield is a former Heisman Trophy winner, so he has talent, but it didn't all translate to the NFL. That, plus a string of bad luck injuries is what got Mayfield demoted by the Cleveland Browns and eventually traded to the Panthers.

Will the talent and winning persona he showed at Oklahoma and, at times, in Cleveland, show up in Carolina...or will Mayfield join the ever-growing list of quarterback busts in the NFL?

Only time will tell, but Mayfield is undoubtedly giving himself a leg up by being an early bird.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Yankees ace making long-awaited return for AL East clash
Report: Veteran backfield signing 'likely' for Giants
Phillies option speedy OF to make room for veteran SS
Saints star RB reportedly open to restructured deal
Brandon Aiyuk tells ex-teammate the 49ers 'don't want me back'
Former DPOY remaining patient as he looks for 'right opportunity'
Jets to add two to coaching staff in assistant roles
Noteworthy Mets veteran addresses future amid trade speculation
Veteran goaltender expected to retire, join Blues front office
Les Miles levies a shocking claim against LSU in lawsuit
Reporters update Aaron Rodgers' recovery from torn Achilles
Blue Jays right-hander dealing with soreness in right elbow
Seahawks expect second-year WR to be 'massive piece'
Flyers sign defenseman to two-year extension
Star CB discusses future with Broncos
Lightning winger named a potential buyout candidate
Curry Brand signs 'Japanese Steph Curry' to multi-year deal
Steelers LB T.J. Watt addresses retirement timeline
136-game streak comes to an end for Spain in Euro 2024 opener
Watch: Bryson DeChambeau pays tribute to the late Payne Stewart after winning U.S. Open

Want more Panthers news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.