Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield Critiques Former Panthers Tenure Amid Career Revival

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has revitalized his career after a difficult stint with the Carolina Panthers, where he and fellow quarterback Sam Darnold struggled and were relegated to limited roles. Both Mayfield and Darnold, now successful starters with the Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks respectively, have little fondness for their time in Carolina, with Mayfield bluntly rejecting any nostalgia for those "good old days." Mayfield criticized the Panthers for mishandling him, noting his poor performance there and how the organization gave up on him, which has fueled a lasting chip on his shoulder. Since joining Tampa Bay, Mayfield has led the team to back-to-back postseason appearances, including a career-best 2024 season with impressive passing and rushing stats, and Tampa Bay holds a winning record against Carolina. Despite their shared history, Mayfield and Darnold remain close friends but focus on their current successes rather than their troubled past in Carolina. Mayfield's comments ahead of the Week 5 matchup highlight his ongoing motivation to prove the Panthers wrong, as he continues to excel with a supportive team and environment.