'No, we don't': Ex-Panthers Mayfield, Darnold won't reminisce on Carolina days

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers backmost Baker Mayfield threw immoderate shadiness astatine the Carolina Panthers again connected Wednesday erstwhile asked astir his clip determination with now-Seattle Seahawks backmost Sam Darnold, whom he'll spot connected Sunday.

Mayfield was asked if helium and Darnold "reminisce astir the bully aged days successful Carolina," wherever Mayfield went 1-5 arsenic a starter successful 2022 earlier helium was released that season.

He responded, "Uh, reminisce astir what days?"

Then aft a agelong pause, helium said, "Uh ... nope. No, we don't."

Darnold started 11 games for Carolina successful 2021 and went 4-7. In 2022, the Panthers traded a conditional fifth-round draught prime with the Cleveland Browns for Mayfield, who sustained a precocious ankle sprain successful Week 5. Subsequently, PJ Walker took over, started 5 games and went 2-3.

Mayfield was past benched aft his instrumentality successful Week 11, coinciding with his departure. Darnold took implicit successful Week 12 and finished the play 4-2.

"Sam and I are truly close," Mayfield said. "I'm blessed for him -- from going a mates antithetic places that weren't large for america to having a bully accidental elsewhere, it's amusive to see. I knew helium conscionable needed that chance, and he's thriving now. It's bully to see, but hopefully not this weekend."

After a speedy stint with the Los Angeles Rams successful 2022, Mayfield signed a one-year woody with the Bucs successful 2023 worthy up to $8.5 cardinal with a basal wage of $4 million. He led the squad to a 9-8 grounds and a part title, wherever they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 32-9 successful the wild-card circular of the playoffs.

Mayfield was past rewarded with a three-year woody worthy $100 cardinal with $40 cardinal guaranteed astatine signing, and $115 cardinal with incentives. After different part rubric (they finished 10-7 successful 2024), the Bucs guaranteed him $30 cardinal successful 2026.

Darnold's travel has been precise akin to that of Mayfield, who had been the archetypal prime successful the 2018 NFL draft. Darnold was selected 3rd that aforesaid twelvemonth by the New York Jets. He played 3 seasons determination and went 13-25 arsenic a starter earlier the Jets traded him to Carolina successful speech for a 2021 sixth-round prime and a 2022 second- and fourth-round pick.

Although Carolina didn't cookware retired for either player, Mayfield saw immoderate positives successful their clip there.

"That full QB country with PJ Walker, Sam and I -- it was fun," Mayfield said. "[We were] guys that person played ball, knew we needed each different successful that country ... We'd conscionable bounce things disconnected [each other], person mean shot conversations, turn and larn unneurotic and spell from there."

The Panthers traded Darnold to the San Francisco 49ers successful March 2023 pursuing Jimmy Garoppolo's departure and injuries to Brock Purdy and Read Entire Article