Baker Mayfield learns the hard way that Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell isn’t one to mess with after what Netflix documentary showed
Mitchell has the right attitude, and he will make you pay for not having the right approach when facing him on the field.
Baker Mayfield tried to get under Quinyon Mitchell‘s skin during a game last season, a recent episode of Netflix documentary “Quarterback” showed. And the Philadelphia Eagles cornerback handled it with the kind of quiet confidence that makes him one of the best young defensive backs in the NFL.
The exchange between the two, which also included Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, gave fans a glimpse into the trash-talking side of the game. But it also reminded everybody just how much Mitchell has accomplished in a remarkably short time.
The moment in question featured Mayfield walking up to Mitchell and asking, “Who the bleep are you?” Mitchell’s response was simple and perfect: “You know who I am.” Mayfield fired back with, “No, I don’t.” All in good fun, all in the spirit of competition. But let’s pump the brakes here for a second, Baker.
Mitchell’s resume is already impressive
I respect Baker Mayfield. I really do. This is a guy who completely turned his career around in Tampa Bay, earned a big payday, and has been one of the better quarterbacks in the NFC over the last several years. That’s a legitimate comeback story, and he deserves credit for it.
But Baker, you’re not all that. Not when you’re standing across from Quinyon Mitchell. In just two NFL seasons, Mitchell has half the amount of Pro Bowl selections that Mayfield has accumulated over eight seasons. Mitchell is an All-Pro, something Mayfield has never sniffed. Mitchell is a Super Bowl champion, something Mayfield has never sniffed either.
That’s not a knock on Baker’s ability to play quarterback at a high level. It’s just the reality of where these two players stand in the pecking order of the league.
The perfect response from a young stud
What I loved most about this exchange was Mitchell’s composure. He didn’t fire back with insults. He didn’t try to clown Mayfield or go on some long rant about his accomplishments. He just looked at him and said, “You know who I am.” That’s it. Simple as that.
And that response is telling about the kind of player Mitchell is. He’s confident, composed, and he lets his play do the talking. He doesn’t need to remind you of his All-Pro selection or his Super Bowl ring. He just needs you to line up across from him and find out for yourself.
That’s the mentality you want from a young cornerback who is already one of the best at his position in the entire league. Philadelphia has something special in Mitchell, and moments like this only reinforce it.
Baker, pipe down a little
Look, trash talk is part of the game, and I’m all for it. The competitive fire is what makes these guys great, and Mayfield has always been one of those players who plays with an edge. That’s part of what made his resurgence in Tampa so compelling. But there’s a difference between talking trash to somebody you’ve gotten the better of and talking trash to a guy who has already surpassed you in individual honors before his 25th birthday.
And let’s not forget the other part of this equation. Mayfield still hasn’t gotten the Buccaneers over the top. He’s a good quarterback, maybe even a very good one, but he hasn’t reached the mountaintop. Mitchell has. So the “who are you?” act doesn’t quite land the way Baker probably wanted it to.
Shout out to Quinyon Mitchell for holding his ground and keeping it classy. You know who he is, Baker. Everybody does.