Baker Mayfield is finally speaking out after his trade to the Carolina Panthers.
The new Panthers QB said he’s willing to admit the team’s Week 1 matchup against his former organization, the Cleveland Browns, carries some extra meaning.
Mayfield told Darin Gantt of the Panthers’ official website Tuesday that he tries not to hold grudges, but his history with the Browns is an obvious storyline heading toward the Sept. 11 showdown.
“I’m not going to sit here and be a robot and tell you that’s not one I’ve marked on the calendar already,” Mayfield said, via the team’s official website. “One, that’s not who I am. To me, it’s about winning games. Whoever we have marked on the schedule, I’m going to try to win. Obviously, this one has a little more history and personal meaning, but for me, it’s about winning and setting the tone for the rest of the year, and however I can help this team do that, I’m going to do.”
It was months in the making, but Baker Mayfield now has a second chance to prove he is starting capable in the NFL. Time will tell how the rotation shakes out with fellow former top-five pick Sam Darnold — whom the Panthers traded for last year.
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The Browns will pay $10.5 million of Mayfield’s scheduled $18.898 million 2022 salary. The Panthers will pay about $5 million and Mayfield agreed to take a $3.5 million pay cut to push the deal over the line.
The former No. 1 pick in 2018, Mayfield will now be the odds-on favorite to be Carolina’s presumptive Week 1 starter when they face off against the Browns.
In 2021, Mayfield appeared in 14 games and completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown.
