Three years ago, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold were sharing a quarterback room in Carolina, struggling under Matt Rhule and fighting to keep their careers alive. Fast forward to Week 5 of the 2025 season, and both are back on top — set to square off Sunday when Mayfield’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit Darnold’s Seattle Seahawks.

Their shared past? They’d rather not talk about it.

When asked by Fan Stream Sports’ own JP Peterson if he and Darnold ever reminisce about their days with the Panthers, Mayfield didn’t hold back.

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“Umm… reminisce about what days? Nope. No, we don’t,” he said with a smirk.

Mayfield’s stint in Carolina was forgettable: six touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 57.8 percent completion rate in just seven games. Darnold didn’t fare much better, posting 16 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and a 59.5 percent completion rate in 18 games. Both were written off as busts.

Still, Mayfield admitted that their Panthers QB room — which also included P.J. Walker (now with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders) — built camaraderie, if not victories.

“That whole QB room with PJ, Sam, and I — it was fun,” Mayfield said. “We’d just bounce things off each other, have normal football conversations, grow and learn together.”

What they couldn’t build in Carolina, they’ve found elsewhere.

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Mayfield has become a star in Tampa Bay, revitalizing his career and leading the Bucs’ offense with swagger. Meanwhile, Darnold has resurrected his career in Seattle, thriving as the Seahawks’ starter.

Both quarterbacks now enter Week 5 as two of the hottest passers in the NFL — a stunning turnaround given where they were just three seasons ago. Sunday’s clash in Seattle isn’t just about standings. It’s about two quarterbacks rewriting their narratives.

And this time, there’s no Matt Rhule, no “good ole days,” and no excuses. Just a chance for Mayfield and Darnold to prove once and for all that the Carolina chapter was just a detour — not the story.