Rashard Anderson, a first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2000, has died at 45 years old.

His death was announced by Jackson State, where Anderson was a cornerback from 1996-1999.

"Today is a sad day for the JSU family," Jackson State vice president/director of athletics Ashley Robinson said in a statement. "Rashard was one of the best players in the history of our football program and an outstanding person. He attended our spring football game in April and was excited about the program returning to championship status. Rashard will always be remembered by Jackson State University, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."

The Panthers drafted Anderson with the 23rd overall pick in 2000, but his professional career lasted just two seasons.

He was suspended in 2002 for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. After being reinstated and released by Carolina, Anderson was not signed by any other club.

Baker Mayfield paid off new teammate Johnny Hekker so he can wear No. 6 with the Carolina Panthers.

When asked during his first press conference what number he'd be wearing with Carolina, Mayfield broke the news.

"I guess it's time to break the news," the quarterback said. "I made a deal, did my own negotiating with Johnny."

Scott Fitterer has confirmed that it will be an "open competition" between Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield to determine who starts at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers.

"The reason why we added Baker was to make the group better as a whole," Fitterer said. "Sam is very much a part of this competition. ... I think they're both gonna rise and play their best football they have."

Fitterer added that there have been no discussions about extending Mayfield's contract yet as both he and Darnold head into the final year of their current deals.

It hasn't been long since the Cleveland Browns traded Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers.

Stories about how the Browns viewed the quarterback are starting to trickle out.

Mayfield was "widely viewed as childish and immature," according to a report. The quarterback's behavior annoyed teammates and divided the locker room, and he was reportedly often difficult to coach.

Despite acquiring Baker Mayfield in a trade on Wednesday, the Carolina Panthers have no plans to move Sam Darnold.

Mayfield and Darnold were the first and third picks in 2018, respectively.

This sets up a potential competition between the two to be Carolina's starting quarterback this season.

The Cleveland Browns are trading Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers for a 2024 conditional fifth-round pick (which can become a fourth-round selection), according to a report.

Cleveland used the No. 1 overall pick on Mayfield in 2018.

Mayfield agreed to trim $3.5 million off his base salary to facilitate the trade, which will see the Browns pay the quarterback $10.5 million and Panthers roughly $5 million.

The trade clears about $8 million off the Browns' cap sheet.