Why Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield is 'just proud' of Panthers' Bryce Young

Quarterback Bryce Young nearly guided the Carolina Panthers to a come-from-behind win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, but the Buccaneers ultimately sent the game to overtime before Tampa Bay's Chase McLaughlin kicked a walk-off field goal in the extra period. 

Shortly after Carolina fell to 3-9 on the season, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield spoke with reporters and explained why he's "just proud of" Young after the 23-year-old endured more lows than highs throughout the first two seasons of his NFL career. 

"Speaking from experience of the ups and downs of the league -- to see it through, come out on the other side -- it makes you stronger in the end,'' Mayfield said about Young, per David Newton of ESPN. "Knowing who he's working with now is a big part of that with the positivity and confidence aspect of it. This guy has the potential to do anything he wants to do.''

Mayfield featured for the Cleveland Browns from 2018 through the 2021 campaign, but both Cleveland and Carolina gave up on him in 2022. He then resurrected his career with Tampa Bay last season when he had current Panthers head coach Dave Canales as his offensive coordinator. Mayfield later received a new three-year contract from the Buccaneers this past offseason. 

More recently, Canales benched Young after just two games in September. The first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft has since looked like an improved player over his last five starts, as he completed over 60 percent of his passes for 1,082 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions across those outings. While Carolina won only two of its past five contests, Young seems to be headed in a positive direction compared to where he was at the end of Week 2. 

"He played his a— off,'' Mayfield said about Young throwing what could've become a game-winning touchdown pass against Tampa Bay with 30 seconds remaining in regulation of Sunday's game. 

Some previously believed after Young's benching that his Panthers career was essentially over, but he now appears on track to remain with the club through the upcoming offseason. He will look to build additional momentum when the Panthers play at the 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles this coming Sunday. 

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Panthers as 12-point underdogs for that matchup.