After the Cleveland Browns finally traded quarterback Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers earlier this month, it seems very unlikely that he will be welcome ever again in Northeast Ohio.
However, it seems like Mayfield’s new market has already embraced him.
It started during his introductory press conference when he said that he hasn’t had a meal at Bojangles yet.
Baker Mayfield pretty much guaranteeing that he will have a deal forthcoming with @Bojangles. pic.twitter.com/XBgMA6HWuB
— Joe Person (@josephperson) July 12, 2022
“I haven’t had that yet, but I’m told I need to do that as soon as possible,” Mayfield said of the fast-food franchise. “I’ll probably wait a little bit. It’s not exactly on a training camp diet, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Literally minutes later, the company, which is headquartered in Charlotte, the same city the Panthers are based in, let Mayfield know on Twitter that he can land a sponsorship with it.
Ready whenever you are @bakermayfield pic.twitter.com/XRLKRc7NrY
— Bojangles (@Bojangles) July 12, 2022
This will help make up for a big endorsement deal Mayfield recently lost.
Mayfield Has A New Home
The former University of Oklahoma star spent his first four NFL seasons with the Browns, and he had an endorsement deal with the insurance company Progressive, which is headquartered in the Cleveland area.
It did a series of commercials featuring Mayfield and portraying him and his wife as living at the Browns’ home arena, FirstEnergy Stadium.
Great announcer, rough alarm clock. @Progressive #Partner #AtHomeWithBaker pic.twitter.com/Mjbj16Fzkm
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) October 1, 2021
When he got traded, he wanted Progressive to do a commercial showing him moving out, but it didn’t happen.
Instead, Progressive reportedly dropped Mayfield.
After showing bursts of brilliance as a rookie in 2018 and setting numerous NFL rookie records, including most touchdown passes, his career has been marred by inconsistency, numerous mistakes and a less-than-stellar attitude.
The final straw seemed to come earlier in the offseason when a member of the Browns organization reportedly said the team preferred an “adult” at quarterback.
Shortly afterward, Mayfield asked out, and the squad traded for Deshaun Watson.
What Is Bojangles?
If you’re unfamiliar with Bojangles, it is a regional fast-food chain that specializes in fried chicken.
For decades, it was limited to locations through the South, mostly in North Carolina and nearby states, but over the last couple of years, it has started expanding into a few states in the Midwest, including one location in Columbus, Ohio.
Its food is roughly similar to the food found at Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits.
As a member of the Panthers (and possibly a spokesman for Bojangles), Mayfield has an opportunity to rehabilitate his image, not to mention his value across the NFL as a signal-caller.
At age 27, he still has a bit of time to tap into the potential he has displayed, and going into the final year of his contract, if he does well in Carolina, he could earn himself a decent payday next offseason.
However, the starting QB job won’t be guaranteed to him, as he will have to beat out incumbent starter Sam Darnold.
The Panthers don’t exactly have a cadre of super-talented wide receivers to help Mayfield be productive, but talented players tend to find a way, and if he finds a way, he could find himself a better gig in 2023.
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Baker is always welcomed back to Cleveland. There are a lot of fans that would take him back right now. You mentioned his rookie year but didnt mention he helped lead them to their first playoff win in 30 years. His last year he played hurt. In the 16 games he played before he was injured he played as a top 5 QB…
The author also has the timeline of events all wrong. Baker was a dedicated Cleveland Brown until the Browns went behind his back and purchased Watson and made the comment about an adult in the room , hence putting Baker on the shelf, choosing a accused sexual assault perp as the adult In the room over a passionate dedicated Baker.
Browns dropped the Ball. Not Baker.
The author also has the timeline of events all wrong. Baker was a dedicated Cleveland Brown until the Browns went behind his back and purchased Watson and made the comment about an adult in the room , hence putting Baker on the shelf, choosing a accused sexual assault perp as the adult In the room over a passionate dedicated Baker.
Browns dropped the Ball. Not Baker.
I sure would welcome him back. The Browns did him wrong. I hope he puts a ass whipping on them in September
Baker will be missed in Cleveland but will find his place with the Panthers, my new team after 50 + years a Browns fan
Baker needs to realize that Football is a job,and that is football!!!! Teams try to get the best team they can to fill seats . It’s been that way for a long time.
It’s called “Running a business!!”.
true, but a team should not publicly state that you are the #1 guy then try to sign someone to take his place, behind his back.
Remember, Watson turned the browns down the first time. He wants to play someplace warm and close to home. He ain’t staying past this contract.
Mayfield found out and asked to be traded so they went back and offer the 230 million 5 year fully guaranteed contract to get him to come to Cleveland.
that is correct and the author of this article has no idea of the viewpoint of the die hard fans of the Cleveland Browns. He played a huge part of rescuing the Browns fanbase from decades of misery.
Enjoy your time with Mayfield now, Panther fans….When things go south is when you’ll get to witness first-hand the real Mayfield.
at least he won’t have the shame and greed anchor the Clowns now have for years to come…
Clowns no more, grow up and cedrihque real fans don’t change teams, especially after 50+ years of loyalty