Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't have to be impressed by his counterpart on Sunday – and that's because he already believes Bryce Young is capable of anything.
Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, spoke to reporters tracking his team's results over the Carolina Panthers in Week 13. In overtime, 2023 No. 1 overall pick Young had another standout performance – recording a season-high 298 passing yards, two total touchdowns and no turnovers.
Mayfield was asked how impressed he was with Young.
“I wouldn't say 'impressed', I'm just proud of him” “The ups and downs of the league, the things you go through – I'm speaking from my own personal experience – I'm proud of him. “This guy has the potential to do anything he wants and he needs to get that confidence back . And I think you can see it growing every day. And of course, knowing the staff he works with, I know that’s a big part of what they do in the building.”
Mayfield's personal experiences, like Young's, also intersected with those of current Panthers head coach Dave Canales. Canales, of course, was the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator in 2023 – where Mayfield to a career revival.
While Canales' results with Young weren't as immediate as they were with Mayfield, it looks like Canales After two games to start the season, Carolina is looking up.
Young has completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,082 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in his five games since returning as the starter under center. The Panthers are 2-3 in those games, with two three-point losses to the Bucs and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
