Baker Mayfield opens up on ex-teammate Sam Darnold, revitalizing career, and Kevin Stefanski joining NFC South

Baker Mayfield tells Fox News Digital he is rooting for former teammate Sam Darnold in the Super Bowl while preparing to face his former coach as a division rival next season.

SAN FRANCISCO – Believe it or not, it was not that long ago that Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, the first and third picks of the 2018 NFL Draft, were teammates competing for a starting job with the Carolina Panthers. Less than four years later, all three parties have found major success.

Mayfield figured himself out with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Carolina Panthers made the playoffs with Bryce Young, and Darnold will be playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

In a sit-down interview with Fox News Digital during Super Bowl media week, Mayfield admitted that the entire situation was "interesting." But as someone who has a similar journey to Darnold, he can't help but root for him.

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Sam Darnold of the Carolina Panthers and Baker Mayfield warm up before the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 19, 2022, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

"I’m so happy for Sam, having similar stories and journeys, really happy for him. He’s fought through and come out better on the other side. He’s found a home in Seattle, hopefully they get it done for his sake," Mayfield said.

"In Carolina, not every situation is right for it. We were there together, different staff, different GM, all that, then you hire Dave Canales. I know he’s going to help Bryce Young develop and make him become a better player. When you have belief like that and it starts to change the culture after it’s been bad for a few years, that’s the confidence that