New Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield delivered a rather harsh message to the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, but Myles Garrett will use it as motivation.
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On the eve of the first game of the regular season, the 27-year-old pivot declared on TV that he was going to smash his former team in slightly more vulgar terms. Mayfield clearly harbors a grudge against the Browns for pushing him to the exit door after signing controversial Deshaun Watson.
Garrett, his former teammate, defended him and was not offended by the former first draft pick’s comments.
“We know he has that kind of behavior and attitude, for better or for worse, it works for him,” the defensive end star said in an interview with Cleveland.com on Wednesday. I’m not mad at him for playing at this level with that passion and resentment. He is successful with that.”
For Garrett, Mayfield’s stance could prove to be a double-edged sword. Even if the Browns are neglected for this meeting, such comments could motivate the squad.
“It has the same effect on us. We’ll take it and use it and hopefully it’ll be a great game,” he said. I don’t appreciate him at all because he goes out there and does the same things that he did to us. He’s the same guy in person, and we might see a different Baker on the pitch. Who knows?”
The two teams meet Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won two of their three preseason games, while the Browns were victorious in only the first.