TAMPA, Fla. — Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield voiced his help for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger on Wednesday, two days after the primary choose of the 2023 draft was benched following an 0-2 begin.
“Clearly [my career] did not occur in the identical time-frame as Bryce, however quarterback is difficult, particularly for younger guys while you’re not surrounded with the items … and you are not given the chance to have success,” Mayfield mentioned.
“A whole lot of time, guys have the expertise, they may have the brains, however they do not have the appropriate alternative or the appropriate match. I am sitting right here proper now in a manner higher match than the opposite locations I have been. That is to not put different groups down. However it’s a matter of the items round you, the coaches. And for Bryce, a man that — I can relate to this — discovering that perception inside your self once more. He’ll get it. His story is much, removed from completed.”
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Mayfield would know. After 4 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, the 2018 first general draft choose was traded to the Panthers in 2022, the place he began six video games and was waived, earlier than a five-game stint with the Los Angeles Rams. A one-year “show it” cope with Tampa Bay in 2023 culminated in an NFC South title and a three-year deal for Mayfield price $100 million earlier than this season.
Mayfield has credited the Bucs’ organizational stability, teaching employees, scheme and playmakers — in addition to the crew permitting him to be himself — for serving to revive his profession. His resurgence was aided by new Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who was the Bucs’ offensive coordinator final season. Mayfield mentioned Canales’ positivity left a long-lasting mark.
“I advised you guys, he is an optimist bully,” Mayfield mentioned. “Discovering methods to make issues work when it is not the most effective appears to be like or issues aren’t going properly and being constructive about it, concerning the subsequent alternative. So yeah, it is no matter they’re doing — I am certain it is for a very good motive, whether or not it is to simply give Bryce time. Not of their constructing, not of their conferences, so cannot actually remark an excessive amount of on it.”
Canales introduced Monday that the Panthers have been benching Younger in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. Younger has gone 2-16 because the starter since Carolina traded up eight spots with the Chicago Bears to draft him No. 1 final 12 months. The Panthers misplaced his first two begins this season by a mixed 73-13 as he posted an 8.9 QBR — by far the worst within the NFL amongst certified quarterbacks this season.
Mayfield has lengthy been a fan and supporter of Younger and spoke final season concerning the challenges {that a} No. 1 general choose should overcome.
“Quarterback is without doubt one of the hardest positions to play in sports activities, particularly for him popping out as a No. 1 choose. Clearly, in case you’re the No. 1 choose, you are going there for a motive — [the team] hadn’t had success,” Mayfield mentioned earlier than Week 1 final 12 months. “He is making an attempt to go in there and be the man that he was in school, nevertheless it’s a special recreation. He is making an attempt to translate what he is aware of he is finest at, however on the similar time, command a locker room stuffed with grown-ass males. It is completely different, in all places. You’ve got bought children and households — it is completely different relationships that you simply actually have to understand and be capable of relate to. It is a problem. Bryce has an important head on his shoulders. I’ve little question that he will have an extended profession. I am wanting ahead to seeing what he does — besides for 2 video games out of the 12 months.”