Ever since Baker Mayfield resurrected his career and blossomed into an elite quarterback in Tampa Bay, his failed stint with the Carolina Panthers looks even worse in hindsight.
The Panthers had a potential franchise quarterback inside the building, only to relegate him to scout-team defensive end in practice, and he wasn’t the only one set up to fail in Carolina. Sam Darnold was also in Carolina at the time, and like Mayfield, has since found a better fit and developed into a quality quarterback elsewhere.
Now, as Mayfield and the 3-1 Buccaneers prepare to face Darnold and the 3-1 Seattle Seahawks this weekend, Mayfield was asked if the two ever reminisce about their “good old days” in Carolina.
Baker Mayfield said he and Sam Darnold remain close friends...
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 1, 2025
Reporter: "Do you and Sam ever reminisce on the good old days in Carolina?"
Baker: "Uhhh. Reminisce on WHAT days?
Reporter: "The good old days in Carolina."
Baker: "Oh, nope. No we don't." 😂
(📽️ @Buccaneers) pic.twitter.com/G2k0PgtUsJ
“Reminisce about WHAT days?” Mayfield joked with a reporter.
For Mayfield, there’s not much to look back on fondly. He went 1–5 as the Panthers’ starter, throwing six touchdowns and six interceptions with a career-low 57.8 completion percentage. After being benched and released, it looked like his career was in jeopardy.
But after being claimed by the Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield was forced to step up and play just 48 hours after signing with the team, where he led a 99-yard game-winning touchdown drive in a pivotal moment for his career — perhaps a sign of things to come with his frequent late-game heroics in Tampa Bay.
Mayfield finished out the season with the Rams before eventually signing with the Buccaneers as a free agent, where he has rejuvenated his career. Since joining Tampa Bay, Mayfield is 4-0 against the Carolina Panthers. With an organization that truly believes in him and the right supporting cast around him, Mayfield has become one of the league’s best quarterbacks and proved the Panthers wrong.
Known for the eternal chip on his shoulder, Mayfield hasn’t forgotten that Carolina gave up on him. Facing the Panthers twice a year gives him a few games to circle every season, and he’s made the most of them so far.
That narrative could reach another level this year, as the Buccaneers close out the regular season with matchups against Carolina in two of their final three games, both of which could carry massive playoff implications for Tampa Bay.
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