Baker Mayfield Opening Press Conference
Thoughts, Quotes, Reactions
Joey Keller, Q92 Sports Intern
With Baker Mayfield now officially a Carolina Panther as of yesterday evening, Panthers GM Scott Fitterer and Mayfield held individual zoom press conferences this afternoon with local media. Fitterer went first, and was asked a wide range of questions regarding Mayfield’s personality, who will start week one, the negotiation process and more. Overall, Fitterer was seen smiling and reiterated how excited he was to have Baker on the team.
The first question that was asked was about the week one starter. While many presume that it will be Mayfield, Fitterer was stern to mention that it is an open competition. “The reason we added Baker was to make the position room better as a whole… I think this competition will make Sam, PJ, Matt and Baker better.” Mayfield will join a quarterback room with Sam Darnold, who was drafted by the Jets 3rd overall after Mayfield was taken first by Cleveland in the 2018 draft, former XFL standout PJ Walker, and rookie 3rd round pick Matt Corral.
Reporters also inquired about the long term as well, asking if they see Mayfield or Darnold, both of whom are playing on 5th year option contracts and upcoming free agents, as the long term guy under center. “I just want to focus on the short-term right now. We’ll make that decision later on. We’ll make a decision around November or December.” It would be smart for Carolina to wait as they were stuck with Darnold’s $18 million contract for this season after picking up his fifth year option immediately following his acquisition from New York last offseason. Mayfield similarly had his team option picked up last offseason, but Browns GM Andrew Berry planned on casting him away since last October and finally did last week, but the team is still stuck paying Mayfield for the upcoming year.
Reporters were very curious on how the trade came to be, with negotiations between Carolina, Cleveland, and Mayfield’s representatives taking multiple months to agree on a monetary number. “This was a really long process. It came down to a money gap that had to be bridged somehow. He gave up a lot of money but it shows how much he wanted to be here. We set a July 4th weekend deadline and were able to get him just after that on the 6th.” Mayfield trimmed $3.5 million off his contract, cutting the cost to just $5 million for Carolina, half of what his former owner, Jimmy Haslam, will write a check for at $10.5 million.
The most common questions came regarding the off-field status of Mayfield. Around the time of the Browns trade for the controversial Deshaun Watson, reports surfaced that the Browns ownership and front office found Mayfield to be ‘immature’ or ‘childish.’ No specific names were ever mentioned and no one publicly spoke on this from the Browns which led many to be skeptical of a possible smokescreen or smear campaign. This led to plenty of Carolina journalists to inquire on Fitterer’s views on the subject. “Anytime you make a transaction you do your homework. We reached out to plenty of sources who knew him. There were plenty of coaches who reached out to us to go to bat for Baker. He’s a fiery guy and brings excitement to the locker room.”
After a stellar 2020 season where Mayfield statistically ranked among the top 10 QBs in the league and led Cleveland to the playoffs, 2021 was the complete opposite. Mayfield battled a multitude of injuries, faced media scrutiny and had his head coach and GM secretly give up on him halfway through. But Fitterer is confident in Mayfield’s ability to bounce back. “He also had a rib and foot injury as well. We went back and watched the tape from the last few years as well. Last year was just a down year for him. I think Baker is really confident and comfortable right now and we’ll get the best version of him going forward.”
As Fitterer’s segment wrapped up, one final question was asked about why he chose to pursue Mayfield specifically. “I love the fact that he’s competitive and fiery. I think that’s a key component to a team that wins. Everyone that we talked to went to bat for Baker. They said a lot of good things and understood where he’s coming from. I think what I really like about him is you can feel the intensity. He wants somewhere where he can go prove himself and be in a position to start.” Fitterer has a belief in Mayfield and spoke on behalf of head coach Matt Rhule that he does as well.
After Scott Fitterer finished his press conference, the media waited online for Baker Mayfield. After a few minutes, Mayfield joined the zoom from his home in Texas. He was also seen smiling and looked eager to speak to the media. Since the Watson trade, Mayfield has made few public comments with the media, speaking on the YNK podcast back in April and briefly speaking with the media at his youth football camp in Norman, Oklahoma.
The first question was asked about his thoughts on the Browns and city of Cleveland. “No animosity toward Cleveland. It’s a great football town and gave me my first four years in the league.” They followed up asking if he felt the trade and entire last few months was surprising, and what emotions have gone through his head. “I think that it was surprising for everyone. But if I’m worrying about my past then I’m not not doing my job. I’m a Carolina Panther now. But ya shocked, the only real way to put it.”
Reporters also asked if he felt that he didn’t get enough credit for taking the Browns from a team that went 1-31 before his arrival to a playoff team during his tenure. “Cleveland is a special place. We all contributed to that special run. I’m never a me guy, I’m a team first guy.”
They then asked about once he knew he would be traded, where he wanted to go and the negotiations that ended up with him in Carolina. “For me that process was definitely interesting. For me it was about the next steps forward, finding somewhere that wanted me and I could go in and compete.”
Another reporter asked about the relationship between him and new teammate and fellow 2018 draft pick, Sam Darnold. “Sam’s a great guy and I’m looking forward to being in that locker room and qb room with him. He’s a good guy that wants to help his team win and loves football.” The reporter followed up asking if he felt that he deserved the starting job under center and how he views his position on the team. “Nobody has the mentality of being a backup. My intention is to be the best QB I can be to help this team win. That’s why I’m happy to be in carolina. I think this team is close to being really good and just need to put the pieces together. I’m gonna fulfill whatever role is expected of me and be a great leader and teammate.”
Reporters also asked Mayfield how he felt about the rumors about him being childish or immature in the locker room. They asked if he learned anything from some of this during his time in Cleveland. “There were a lot of lessons to learn from, but I want to be myself. That’s why I was drafted to help turn that place around. It’s easy to get lost in stories and media. Scott and Matt just want me to be myself and think I can be a good teammate and leader. That competitive nature will never go away and if it does, I shouldn’t be playing anymore.” Mayfield is loved and hated by many for his unique passion for the game and loud personality, but both Mayfield and Fitterer reiterated that this is something they mutually agree can be beneficial in the Panthers’ locker room.
Mayfield also said that he feels the team will be built on trust and freedom between players and coaches. “If I make an audible or change a play, I better have a reason why. We’re gonna be aggressive. For me it’s the mindset to put our guys in the best position possible to win. If there’s a one on one I’m gonna trust my guy to make a play. At a certain point I just let it go and played ball.”
Mayfield also spoke on learning another playbook, something that could be difficult to do with training camp only two weeks away. “I had to learn four different playbooks in four years so this isn’t anything new. I have a history with our line coach, James Campen, so I’m very thankful for that.” Campen served in the same role with the Browns in 2019.
Perhaps Mayfield’s most vocal answer came when he was asked again how he felt about the rumors and public opinion of him. “I dont think it’s a misinterpretation. I think it’s a lack of being in the building and being around me when I’m working and playing the game I love so much. Sometimes playing with authenticity and a passion can be opinionated. I only care about the opinions about the guys in this building with the sacrifices we make for each other on a day to day basis. For me it’s all about sacrificing for each other and putting that respect first and foremost. Thos misinterpretations or whatever you want to call it, quite frankly I don’t care. I care about the opinions in our building because we’re fighting for the same goal.” Mayfield has never been one to shy away from a bait question and speak his mind, which looks like it will follow him to Carolina.
Another question came about how Mayfield feels following offseason surgery in his left shoulder. “I’m not one for excuses because I was too stubborn to come out anyway. My throwing motion is violent and I’ve made some adjustments so my throwing motion looks a little different. The injury happened so early in the season so all the other smaller muscles in my shoulder were able to help me rehab and recover quickly.” He feels better than ever and that his continuous rehab has made the shoulder stronger than before.
On a lighter side, one reporter asked what the future holds for Baker’s comedic Progressive commercials titled ‘At Home with Baker Mayfield.’ “Unfortunately it’s not going to happen. I wanted to do a moving campaign but I think that’s a missed opportunity mutually.” Unfortunately for fans, Baker and his wife, Emily will no longer be living in an NFL stadium during commercial breaks, as the campaign will not follow him from FirstEnergy Stadium to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Baker was then asked how his mindset may be different this upcoming season due to the contract year. “Every year is important. Every time you step on the field you add to your resume you’re making an impact on what people think about you and your future opportunities.” He felt that obviously with his contract expiring following the season, there is more pressure, but this season was just the same as any other.
One of the final questions asked about how it will be an adjustment between interacting with Browns fans and Panthers fans. Baker took a moment and seemed sentimental in reflection toward the Dawgpound. “The fans in Cleveland are what make that town so great. It’s a special sports town, they care about their Browns, tradition rich, and have generations of families that have been Browns fans for life. That’s what made it so special. I wore my heart on my sleeve and it’s a blue collar town. When it comes to moving to Carolina, football is a southern sport so we’re here in the Carolinas representing those states. I’m ready to see what the Keep Pounding fanbase is all about.” Mayfield certainly was known to appeal to the blue collar, chip on the shoulder fanbase and city that Cleveland is. However, as a kid from Texas who played at Oklahoma, Mayfield certainly knows how to live the southern style of life as well. He also noted that he has spent summers in Spartanburg, SC with his aunt and uncle, the same city the Panthers hold their training camp.
All in all, Mayfield continued to express his excitement to be in Carolina and play for the Panthers. He remained civil and respectful throughout, thanking each reporter that welcomed him to Charlotte and the Carolinas. He discussed and joked about how he “self-represented” himself to buy the 6 jersey off punter Johnny Hekker, along with how eager he was to finally try Bojangle’s. The most important point that he continued to repeat though, was his eagerness to get on the field and work with his teammates and to go out and win as a team.
Joey Keller is currently an intern at Q92 Sports. He currently hosts two separate podcasts, The Erie2Atlantic Show and the Jersey Boy Podcast: Revamped. For more content, follow @joeyokeller @erie2atlantic and @fsujerseyboys on Twitter.