It wasn’t too long ago that Carolina Panthers great Steve Smith Sr. made a personal pastime out of verbally dicing up Baker Mayfield. You remember his greatest hits, don’t you?
Think back to when he blamed Mayfield for Odell Beckham Jr.’s early and ugly departure from the Cleveland Browns.
How about when he’d then just flat out say that he wasn’t good?
And who can forget when he said—in reference to his buddy, of course—that he once led the league in something besides crying?
Well, those all have to go in the vault now, because Smith Sr. is singing a completely different tune.
During Friday night’s broadcast of Carolina’s clash with the New England Patriots, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver and preseason color guy gave his pick for the team’s ongoing quarterback competition. And, in a move no one could’ve predicted as we entered the summer, Smith Sr. endorsed Mayfield.
On the TV broadcast, Steve Smith concedes he's been critical of Baker Mayfield. But believes he should be the Panthers' starter.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 20, 2022
More Steve Smith on the Panthers’ quarterback battle: “Baker Mayfield has outplayed Sam Darnold.’’
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) August 20, 2022
Smith Sr. might get his wish, as a recent report from The Athletic indicated that the Panthers are expected to give Mayfield the reins.
Oh, and he might be starting up a new pastime of verbally dicing up Sam Darnold now . . .
"Sam Darnold's going to put you to sleep reading a book. We don't need any librarians out here…."
-Steve Smith, saying that in his opinion Baker Mayfield should be the Panthers starting quarterback.
— Josh Klein (@joshkleinrules) August 20, 2022
