The first date on the 2022 Baker Mayfield “Prove ‘Em Wrong” Tour should be set for Sept. 11, when his Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns. And make no mistake about it, this opening week matchup against his ex is one the fifth-year quarterback has his eye on.
“I’m not going to sit here and be a robot and tell you that’s not one I’ve marked on the calendar already,” Mayfield told Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. “One, that’s not who I am. To me, it’s about winning games. Whoever we have marked on the schedule, I’m going to try to win. Obviously, this one has a little more history and personal meaning, but for me, it’s about winning and setting the tone for the rest of the year, and however I can help this team do that, I’m going to do.”
Mayfield was drafted by the Browns with the first overall pick of the 2018 draft. While he would go on to lead the franchise to its first playoff victory in almost thirty years during the 2020 campaign, Cleveland opted for an upgrade following four seasons with Baker—throwing a king’s ransom of draft picks and guaranteed cash at three-time Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson.
That eventually led to Mayfield’s move, as the disgruntled passer worked his way to Carolina last Wednesday. The Panthers and Browns, after months of posturing, finally came to an agreement on a trade—swapping the 27-year-old for a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick.
And whether you’re a fan of his fiery personality or not, Mayfield is human—just like the rest of us. So when asked by Gantt if he holds grudges, perhaps hinting at that now highly-anticipated Week 1 meeting, he simply said with a grin: “I try not to.”
