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Baker Mayfield knows exactly what it feels like to have an NFL franchise turn its back on you, which is why his recent defense of Kyler Murray hits so close to home.
With a looming uncertain future with the Bucs this season, Mayfield talked about Murray’s “fresh start” in the Twin City, and how it reminds him of his own initial days in Tampa Bay.
“Coming from someone who has been in a similar situation where you think you’re going to be somewhere forever and just need a new change of scenery. I think this fresh start for him is going to be amazing. Kyler gets a bad rap; people want to put a certain persona on him,” Mayfield said to Carson Field.
The parallels between Mayfield and Murray’s career are striking in the least.
Mayfield wasn't a highly touted recruit. He had to walk on at Texas Tech, win the job, and then walk away when he felt unappreciated.
He arrived at Oklahoma as a literal nobody on the national radar, forcing his way into the starting lineup through sheer bravado and an unquenchable competitive fire. By 2017, his chips-on-the-shoulder mentality turned into a Heisman Trophy and a reputation as a vocal, trash-talking, emotional lightning rod who carried the program on his back.
Murray’s college career, on the other hand, was the antithesis of Mayfiled’s. He was Texas high school royalty—going a legendary 42-0 as a starter at Allen High School. He was the immaculate dual-threat prospect, a five-star phenom who was also a first-round Major League Baseball talent.
He went to Texas A&M with the weight of the world on his shoulders, but after a messy, hyper-scrutinized freshman year in College Station, he chose to escape the circus. He transferred to Oklahoma in 2016 not to fight for a spot, but to sit, learn, and wait for his turn as the heir apparent.
This is where their careers overlap. While Mayfield was dominating the star sheets as the Sooners’ QB1, Murray was on the sidelines as backup.
When Baker left, Kyler didn't just step into his shoes; he replicated the exact footprint. Kyler won the 2018 Heisman, putting together an even higher passer rating ($205.72$) than Baker's previous record ($203.76$).
Their collegiate hand-off created history. They became the first quarterbacks from the same school to be drafted number one overall in consecutive years—Baker to the Cleveland Browns in 2018, Kyler to the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.
However, the most striking parallel comes in with Mayfield defending his former QB2, because how both of their initial NFL franchises abandoned them.
Just as Cleveland discarded Baker for Deshaun Watson, Arizona hit the reset button on Kyler, allowing him to sign with the Minnesota Vikings this past offseason to compete with J.J. McCarthy.
Now, Murray has another chance at following the footsteps of Mayfield in the NFL after signing a veteran minimum deal with the Vikings.
“I’m happy for him, and I think it’s going to be great,” the Bucs QB added.
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With a looming uncertain future with the Bucs this season, Mayfield talked about Murray’s “fresh start” in the Twin City, and how it reminds him of his own initial days in Tampa Bay.
“Coming from someone who has been in a similar situation where you think you’re going to be somewhere forever and just need a new change of scenery. I think this fresh start for him is going to be amazing. Kyler gets a bad rap; people want to put a certain persona on him,” Mayfield said to Carson Field.
Baker Mayfield- Kylar Murray career parallels
The parallels between Mayfield and Murray’s career are striking in the least.
Mayfield wasn't a highly touted recruit. He had to walk on at Texas Tech, win the job, and then walk away when he felt unappreciated.
He arrived at Oklahoma as a literal nobody on the national radar, forcing his way into the starting lineup through sheer bravado and an unquenchable competitive fire. By 2017, his chips-on-the-shoulder mentality turned into a Heisman Trophy and a reputation as a vocal, trash-talking, emotional lightning rod who carried the program on his back.
Murray’s college career, on the other hand, was the antithesis of Mayfiled’s. He was Texas high school royalty—going a legendary 42-0 as a starter at Allen High School. He was the immaculate dual-threat prospect, a five-star phenom who was also a first-round Major League Baseball talent.
He went to Texas A&M with the weight of the world on his shoulders, but after a messy, hyper-scrutinized freshman year in College Station, he chose to escape the circus. He transferred to Oklahoma in 2016 not to fight for a spot, but to sit, learn, and wait for his turn as the heir apparent.
This is where their careers overlap. While Mayfield was dominating the star sheets as the Sooners’ QB1, Murray was on the sidelines as backup.
When Baker left, Kyler didn't just step into his shoes; he replicated the exact footprint. Kyler won the 2018 Heisman, putting together an even higher passer rating ($205.72$) than Baker's previous record ($203.76$).
Their collegiate hand-off created history. They became the first quarterbacks from the same school to be drafted number one overall in consecutive years—Baker to the Cleveland Browns in 2018, Kyler to the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.
However, the most striking parallel comes in with Mayfield defending his former QB2, because how both of their initial NFL franchises abandoned them.
Just as Cleveland discarded Baker for Deshaun Watson, Arizona hit the reset button on Kyler, allowing him to sign with the Minnesota Vikings this past offseason to compete with J.J. McCarthy.
Now, Murray has another chance at following the footsteps of Mayfield in the NFL after signing a veteran minimum deal with the Vikings.
“I’m happy for him, and I think it’s going to be great,” the Bucs QB added.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
