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Jenna Laine, ESPN Staff Writer
TAMPA, Fla. — Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield voiced his support for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young on Wednesday, two days after the 2023 first overall draft pick was benched following an 0-2 start.
“Obviously [my career] didn’t happen in the same time frame as Bryce, but quarterback’s hard, especially for young guys when you’re not surrounded with the pieces … and you’re not given the opportunity to have success,” Mayfield said.
“A lot of time, guys have the talent, they might have the brains, but they don’t have the right opportunity or the right fit. I’m sitting here right now in a way better fit than the other places I’ve been. That’s not to put other teams down. But it’s a matter of the pieces around you, the coaches. And for Bryce, a guy that — I can relate to this — finding that belief within yourself again. He’ll get it. His story is far, far from finished.”
Mayfield would know. After four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, the 2018 first overall draft pick was traded to the Panthers in 2022, where he started six games and was waived, before a five-game stint with the Los Angeles Rams. A one-year “prove it” deal with Tampa Bay in 2023 culminated in an NFC South title and a three-year deal for Mayfield worth $100 million before this season.
Mayfield has credited the Bucs’ organizational stability, coaching staff, scheme, weapons and them allowing him to be himself that helped revive his career. His resurgence was aided by new head Panthers coach Dave Canales, who was then the Bucs’ offensive coordinator. Mayfield said Canales’ positivity left a lasting mark.
“I told you guys, he’s an optimist bully,” Mayfield said. “Finding ways to make things work when it’s not the best looks or things aren’t going well and being positive about it, about the next opportunity. So yeah, it’s whatever they’re doing — I’m sure it’s for a good reason, whether it’s to just give Bryce time. Not in their building, not in their meetings, so can’t really comment too much on it.”
Canales announced Monday that the Panthers were benching Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. Young has gone 2-16 as the starter since Carolina traded up eight spots with the Chicago Bears to draft him No. 1 last year. The Panthers lost his first two starts this season by a combined 73-13 as he posted an 8.9 QBR — by far the worst in the NFL among qualified quarterbacks this season.
Mayfield has long been a fan and supporter of Young and spoke last season about the challenges that a rookie first overall pick must overcome.
“Quarterback is one of the hardest positions to play in sports, especially for him coming out as a No. 1 pick. Obviously, if you’re the No. 1 pick, you’re going there for a reason — [the team] hadn’t had success,” Mayfield said before Week 1 last year. “He’s trying to go in there and be the guy that he was in college, but it’s a different game. He’s trying to translate what he knows he’s best at, but at the same time, command a locker room full of grown-ass men. It’s different, all over the place. You’ve got kids and families — it’s different relationships that you really have to grasp and be able to relate to. It’s a challenge. Bryce has a great head on his shoulders. I have no doubt that he’s going to have a long career. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does — except for two games out of the year.”
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