Baker Mayfield is, one presumes, not the biggest fan of the Carolina Panthers, but it seems he may have a little more time for their quarterback, Bryce Young.
Right now, the former Oklahoma man has little to complain about after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Divisional round of the playoffs after a decisive win over the lacklustre Philadelphia Eagles. And, in turn, received a 3 year, $100 million deal to keep him at the franchise through 2026.
But things weren’t always this rosy for the former Heisman Trophy winner. After being discarded by the Cleveland Browns in favor of controversial and disappointing addition, Deshaun Watson in 2022, Mayfield landed on the Panthers, where he was subsequently released after just 6 games after a miserable 1-5 start to the season – very much a sign of times to come.
Will Bryce Young’s Career Mirror Baker Mayfield’s?
In a similar, yet far from identical position to Mayfield at this point is former #1 overall pick back in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young.
A highly unimpressive rookie season that resulted in head coach, Frank Reich, being dismissed 11 games into his tenure as head coach, and was replaced by Dave Canales who, ironically, was Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator who drew out Mayfield’s best season in 2023.
In a slightly surprising, but far from utterly shocking announcement delivered on Monday, Canales (with perhaps some influence from owner, David Tepper) decided to bench Young for veteran pro, Andy Dalton.
Who Is To Blame For Another Poor Carolina Panthers Start
Young has been front and center of an ongoing debate as to whether the fault is with the player, the supporting cast or the coaching. One thing, however, is for sure – and that is that the former Alabama man has done everything but thrive in Carolina’s offense over the past 16 months.
And, having been asked about the situation in a Wednesday press conference, Mayfield delivered some fairly unfiltered words about how he feels about the Panthers’ handling of Bryce Young, per Ari Meirov.
Baker Mayfield was asked about Bryce Young’s benching in Carolina, and he explained how tough playing quarterback is, especially when the supporting cast isn’t great.
“His story is far, far from finished.”
Baker played in Carolina, is a former No. 1 pick and eventually bounced… pic.twitter.com/4iLBfHNPmP
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 18, 2024
Baker Believes Bryce Young Still Has Much To Offer In The NFL
If anyone can at least partially empathize with how Young is feeling at this point, it is Mayfield. Although Baker did have some reasonable success in Cleveland before being traded away; something that sadly cannot be said for Young, he knows how it feels to be counted out, called a bust by passionate fans, and have the media call for you to be benched, or even traded away.
In some resounding words that resembled a thinly veiled sharp critique of the Carolina Panthers franchise, the Pro Bowler gave his opinion on Bryce’s benching.
“Quarterback’s hard, especially for young guys… A lot of the time guys have the talent, they might have the brains but they don’t have the right opportunity, the right fit.
I’m sitting here right now in a way better fit than the other places I’ve been. And that’s not to put other teams down but its a matter of the pieces around you, the coaches.
For Bryce, and I can relate to this, finding that belief within yourself again. He’ll get it – his story is far, far from over.”
Although the Bucs’ QB does not make a direct reference to the Carolina Panthers, it is very clearly the team he is alluding to with regards to being the place that the Bucs was a “way better fit” than. And quite honestly, it seems as if the past two years have proven Mayfield correct.
The Panthers could be looking at yet another first overall pick come April, and yet another gaping hole at QB.
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