Baker Mayfield: Carolina Panthers' Sam Darnold opens up on relationship with new teammate

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold has opened up about the relationship that he has with Baker Mayfield as they enter training camp together.

Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have been joined at the hip since the day they entered the NFL, having both been taken in the first round -1st and 3rd respectively – in the 2018 NFL Draft, the first two quarterbacks in the draft, but their relationship goes well beyond that.

After being taken by the New York Jets, Darnold became the team’s starter for Week 1 of the season, whilst Mayfield had to start as a backup behind veteran Tyrod Taylor for the Cleveland Browns, but was thrust into action during Week 3 when the two sides faced off, with Mayfield coming in to win the game, ending the team’s 19-game winless streak. 

Cleveland #Browns defeat the New York #Jets 21-17, to snap a 19 game winless streak. Carlos Hyde rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield entered the game for the injured Tyrod Taylor towards the end of the first half. pic.twitter.com/FnCGta3qtl

In the process, there has also been the battle for supremacy with well-known Fox Sports broadcaster Colin Cowherd that has created a lot of fuss since before the 2018 Draft even took place, with Cowherd constantly trying to put Darnold ahead. 

The two men now have become teammates after the Carolina Panthers traded for Mayfield this offseason, setting up the scenario that both men are going to be competing for the starting spot with the team ahead of 2022 NFL Draft pick Matt Corrall.

Darnold was the team’s starter for the majority of last season, and even though it is expected that they will have an ‘open competition’ to decide who will be the team’s starter this season, the numbers make