Wide receiver Robbie Anderson isn’t the only member of the Carolina Panthers organization that said some sorta sideways things about Baker Mayfield in the past. Oh, hey there, offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo!
After the 2018 NFL draft, the New York Post conducted an interview with the former Giants head coach to gauge his feelings about the incoming quarterback class. When asked about Mayfield, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns, McAdoo wasn’t exactly in love.
“He’s got an edge to him, I like that. He’s gonna lead, they’re gonna follow him,’’ McAdoo said of Mayfield. “I didn’t see a lot of pro-style football in his college tape. And if you’re short you have to be able to make up for it some way, somehow, and personality doesn’t do that. I didn’t think he was a great athlete. This guy is kinda like a pocket quarterback that is short and with small hands, that’s what I worry about.”
McAdoo’s Panthers, of course, agreed to a trade for Mayfield on Wednesday. He’ll soon head to Charlotte to join his fellow 2018 draftee Sam Darnold and his new play caller—who actually went on to further bury him in that interview.
Here’s how McAdoo ranked the top passers of that year’s group:
1. Josh Allen
2. Lamar Jackson
3. Darnold
4. Josh Rosen
5. Mason Rudolph
6. Mayfield
Awkward . . .
Well, a lot of time—four years to be exact—has passed since then. And perhaps McAdoo sees something a bit more encouraging from Mayfield’s pro tape.
Regardless, it’s time to play nice.
