While the results of the Carolina Panthers quarterback battle between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have reportedly been known for a while, the team officially announced Mayfield as its starter on Monday. The news means that Mayfield will make his first start as a Panther against his former team, the Cleveland Browns, and Mayfield wasn’t shy about admitting the game will mean something extra to him.
During a press conference after he was formally named Carolina’s starter, Mayfield was very honest about what playing his former team will mean to him.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of attachment there,” Mayfield said, according to Pro Football Talk. “Like I told you guys at Wofford. I’m not gonna sit here and be a robot and say that it doesn’t mean anything. It will. But right now all that matters is me continuing to improve until this regular season starts.”
Mayfield was very candid about his thoughts on the Browns organization after they traded for Deshaun Watson. Long before Cleveland ultimately traded the quarterback to the Panthers, Mayfield said that he had no plans to return to Cleveland.
The Sept. 11 showdown between Mayfield and his former team will undoubtedly be one of the most intriguing matchups to open the NFL season.
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