Baker Mayfield says Bryce Young’s story is ‘far from over’

TAMPA, Fla. — Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield voiced his support for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young on Wednesday, two days after the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft was ruled out after an 0-2 start.

“clearly [my career] “It didn’t happen in the same time frame as Price, but the quarterback position is tough, especially for young players when you’re not surrounded by pieces … and you’re not given the opportunity to succeed,” Mayfield said.

“A lot of times, players have talent, they may have brains, but they don’t get the right opportunity or the right place. I’m sitting here now in a better place than other places I’ve been. That’s not to disparage other teams. It’s about the parts around you, the coaches. And for Bryce, a guy I can relate to — I find that belief in him again. He’s going to get it. His story is far from over.”

Mayfield would have known that. After four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft 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-yourself” deal with Tampa Bay in 2023 culminated in an NFC South title and a three-year, $100 million contract for Mayfield before this season.

Mayfield credited the Buccaneers’ organizational stability, coaching staff, schemes and playmakers — as well as a team that allowed him to be himself — for helping him revive his career. New Panthers coach Dave Canales, who was the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator last season, has helped him revive his career. Mayfield said Canales’ positivity has left a lasting impression.

“I told you guys, he’s an optimist and a bully,” Mayfield said. “He looks for ways to make things work when things aren’t going well or when things aren’t going well, and he takes it positively, and he takes it to the next opportunity. So, yeah, it’s about what they’re doing — I’m sure they have a good reason, whether it’s just giving Bryce time. He’s not in their building, he’s not in their meetings, so I can’t comment too much on that.”

Canales announced Monday that the Panthers have decided to move Young out of the starting lineup in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. Young has gone 2-16 as a starter since Carolina traded him to the Chicago Bears to take him as the No. 1 overall pick last year. The Panthers lost their first two games of the season by a combined total of 73-13 as they scored 8.9 points in the fourth quarter — 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 the No. 1 overall pick must overcome.

“The quarterback position is one of the toughest positions to play in sports, especially as a No. 1 pick. Obviously, if you’re the No. 1 pick, you’re going there for a reason — [the team] “Bryce hasn’t had the success,” Mayfield said before the first week of last year. “He’s trying to come on board and be the man he was in college, but it’s different. He’s trying to translate what he knows he’s best at, but at the same time, he’s trying to dominate a locker room full of grown men. It’s different, everywhere. You have kids, you have families — it’s different relationships that you really have to understand and be able to handle. It’s a challenge. Bryce has a great mind. I have no doubt he’s going to have a long career. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does — except for a couple of games a year.”