Panthers to face former QB Baker Mayfield in Charlotte NFC South game

The Carolina Panthers will play against their former quarterback Baker Mayfield when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Charlotte this weekend, WBTV reported. Mayfield, who started the 2022 season with the Panthers, has missed the last three games due to a dislocated thumb but is expected to return for this matchup.

Mayfield was traded to the Panthers in July 2022 to fill a quarterback gap but struggled, completing 58% of his passes with six touchdowns and six interceptions over seven games. The Panthers won only one of those games, and Mayfield was eventually moved to a backup role before being released in December 2022. He briefly joined the Los Angeles Rams before signing with the Buccaneers in 2023, where he earned the starting quarterback position and signed two contract extensions.

Since leaving the Panthers, Mayfield has played against them six times, winning five games. The Panthers' only win against him came in Charlotte during Week 16 of the 2025 season. However, the current season presents a different scenario as Mayfield is returning from injury, and the Buccaneers hold a 1-5 record, placing them last in the NFC South, which the Panthers currently lead.

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is having an MVP-caliber start to the 2026 season, and the Panthers appear to be in a stronger position this year. Despite this, Panthers defensive lineman Derrick Brown emphasized the need for caution, describing Mayfield as a competitor who will give his all on the field.

The game is set to be a significant NFC South rivalry contest with implications for the division standings as the Panthers aim to maintain their lead against a Buccaneers team that has dominated the division in recent years.