Yet another fellow No. 1 overall pick has offered some words of encouragement for the recently-benched Bryce Young. But this time, it’s a No. 1 overall pick from his own sport.
After a show of support from NBA legend and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James late last night, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield weighed in on Young’s current situation with the Carolina Panthers this morning. And like James, Mayfield is backing Bryce on this one . . .
Baker Mayfield was asked about Bryce Young’s benching in Carolina, and he explained how tough playing quarterback is, especially when the supporting cast isn’t great.
“His story is far, far from finished.”
Baker played in Carolina, is a former No. 1 pick and eventually bounced… pic.twitter.com/4iLBfHNPmP
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 18, 2024
Young, of course, was demoted by the Panthers on Monday—following a rough start to his second pro campaign. The 23-year-old passed for just 245 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions between the team’s pair of lackluster losses.
Mayfield has been there and done—and in Carolina, no less. The Panthers acquired the crown jewel of the 2018 draft in the summer of 2022, only to waive him after a disastrous seven-game stretch that season.
He’d go on to land in Tampa Bay in 2023, under first-year offensive coordinator and current Panthers head coach Dave Canales. Mayfield proceeded to have a career year, passing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns while leading the Bucs to their third straight NFC South title.
So, hopefully for Bryce, perhaps a Baker-like bounce-back is in store for Carolina’s latest flop under center.
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