Current:Home > reviewsBaker Mayfield says Bryce Young's story is 'far from finished' following benching -BrightFuture Investments
Baker Mayfield says Bryce Young's story is 'far from finished' following benching
View
Date:2025-04-13 17:02:33
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield can empathize with Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young. Mayfield was once a castaway quarterback before finding a home in Tampa Bay.
Fittingly, Mayfield publicly supported the recently demoted Panthers quarterback when asked his thoughts about Young’s benching.
“Quarterback is hard, especially for young guys when you’re not surrounded with the pieces (and) not given the opportunity to have success," Mayfield told reporters. "A lot of times 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 other places I’ve been. That’s not to put other teams down, but it’s a matter of the pieces around you (and) the coaches.”
NFL WEEK 2:32 things we learned: Saints among biggest early-season surprises
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Mayfield, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns, was shown the door in Cleveland after the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson in 2022. He was traded to the Carolina Panthers and had an unceremonious exit after just seven games. During the 2022 season, Mayfield was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams. Following a one-year rental season in Los Angeles, the Buccaneers became Mayfield’s fourth NFL team in 2023.
Mayfield enjoyed career-highs in passing yards and touchdown passes last season and was selected to the Pro Bowl. His performance earned him a three-year contract extension in Tampa Bay.
The journeyman quarterback’s revitalized his career in Tampa Bay and he envisions a similar fate for Young.
“For Bryce, I can relate to this, finding that belief within yourself again,” Mayfield added. “He’ll get it. His story is far, far from finished."
Young is just 23 years old. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick could potentially have many more years left in the NFL. His rookie contract runs through the 2026 season. His future in Carolina is uncertain as a result of his benching but Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters Wednesday the team is not “really considering” trading Young.
Young’s development and surroundings will ultimately determine if he can rebound in a similar fashion as Mayfield.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
veryGood! (68398)
Related
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Tom Hanks Reveals Secret to 35-Year Marriage With Rita Wilson
- Scott Drew staying at Baylor after considering Kentucky men's basketball job
- Reaction to the death of O.J. Simpson
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- The Rulebreaker: The new biography of legendary journalist Barbara Walters | The Excerpt
- Who's the best in the customer service business? Consumers sound off on companies.
- Snail slime for skincare has blown up on TikTok — and dermatologists actually approve
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- QB Shedeur Sanders attends first in-person lecture at Colorado after more than a year
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Kansas City Chiefs Player Rashee Rice Turns Himself In to Police Over Lamborghini Car Crash
- Absolutely 100 Percent Not Guilty: 25 Bizarre Things You Forgot About the O.J. Simpson Murder Trial
- Tom Brady is 'not opposed' coming out of retirement to help NFL team in need of QB
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Pennsylvania flooded by applications for student-teacher stipends in bid to end teacher shortage
- 20 years later, Abu Ghraib detainees get their day in US court
- Here’s how investigators allege Ippei Mizuhara stole $16 million from Shohei Ohtani
Recommendation
New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter charged with stealing $16M from baseball star in sports betting case
Tom Brady is 'not opposed' coming out of retirement to help NFL team in need of QB
Another roadblock to convincing Americans to buy an EV: plunging resale values
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
Biden announces new steps to deepen military ties between the U.S. and Japan
TSA found more than 1,500 guns at airport checkpoints during 1st quarter of 2024, agency says
Ex-Shohei Ohtani interpreter negotiating guilty plea with federal authorities, per report