Baker Mayfield recalls his experience working with Sam Darnold on the Panthers

If tough times build strong connections, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold might as well be brothers. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Mayfield reflected on his time competing against Darnold for the Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback spot.

“There was there was definitely that Anchorman moment: ‘That escalated quickly,'” Mayfield said with a laugh. “The best part was we had had very similar stories like you mentioned — having a bunch of different coaches, having to go through different systems and I loved getting to work with Sam.

“Incredible guy, incredibly smart too, and so talented. The challenges that we would have in practice, just pushing each other, it was a great thing for both of us.”

Mayfield and Darnold have had extremely similar experiences in the NFL. Both were drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, have played for at least three teams and are with a new organization this season.

It’s only right the pair’s nearly identical paths eventually crossed. After Darnold joined the Panthers in 2021, Mayfield landed with the franchise a year later. A battle for the starting spot behind center ensued.

On August 22, 2022, Mayfield was named the Week 1 starter for the Panthers for their game against the Cleveland Browns. Just a short time later, Darnold suffered a severe ankle sprain, requiring 4-6 weeks to recover. Darnold started one game in 2022.

Darnold wasn’t the only one dealing with ankle injuries. Mayfield suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Panthers’ Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. With Mayfield and Darnold both sidelined, the Panthers turned to backup PJ Walker.

Baker Mayfield finds his happy ending

Although Mayfield was healthy by Week 8, the team stuck with Walker. Consequently, Mayfield requested to be released from the team shortly after. Darnold followed Mayfield out the door, joining the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.

Although Darnold is yet to find success on the West Coast, Mayfield has had one of his best starts to a season yet. In four games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mayfield boasts 882 passing yards for seven touchdowns while only throwing two interceptions. The team is 3-1.

Mayfield is thrilled to be a part of the winning culture.

“I’m loving it,” Mayfield told McAfee. “I think that’s an understatement. It’s a great organization the people are great, they know how to win — they know it’s all about winning… Get the best guys on the field, all about football, no BS, and let’s just get after it.”