Panthers OC Ben McAdoo didn't like Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold as prospects. Now he's coaching both of them

The Carolina Panthers have traded for Baker Mayfield, adding the former Cleveland Browns starter to a quarterbacks room previously headlined by Sam Darnold.

The two quarterbacks will compete for the starting job in Charlotte, but it isn't the first time they've competed. The two were the top contenders to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, with Mayfield eventually going first to the Browns and Darnold No. 3 to the New York Jets. Both have now landed in Carolina.

Calling plays for whichever quarterback takes the field for the Panthers will be offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, who was previously head coach of the New York Giants.

Mayfield and Darnold won't be completely unknown quantities for McAdoo, as his past comments on them as draft prospects resurfaced shortly after the trade on Wednesday thanks to Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith.

Here's how McAdoo described Mayfield to the New York Post as he was coming out of a Heisman Trophy-winning career out of Oklahoma:

And here's what was said about Darnold, who was arguably more hyped as a prospect:

It's hard to say McAdoo was off the mark with either.

Both Mayfield and Darnold had their moments with their original teams, Mayfield much more so than Darnold, but they have both arrived in Carolina after seemingly hitting a wall in their NFL development.

McAdoo also happened to nail the top talents in the draft, naming Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen as his top quarterback thanks to "high ceiling" and rating Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson, a future MVP winner, second. He had Josh Rosen, taken 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals, between Darnold and Mayfield.

It's hard to see those comments creating awkwardness for McAdoo and his quarterbacks given how far they were in the past, but it goes to show how NFL player movement can be a funny thing.

Panthers WR Robby Anderson criticized Baker Mayfield too

Where there might be some awkwardness is Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson's meeting with Mayfield.

Anderson, who played with Darnold on both the Jets and Panthers, raised eyebrows in April when responded to a Panthers fan post on Carolina potentially acquiring Mayfield with a one-word comment: "Nooooo."

Anderson later walked back those comments, telling reporters he was trying to defend Darnold:

Perhaps sensing such chatter, Anderson posted video of himself making those comments on Wednesday, adding he doesn't have an issue with Mayfield.

For a team not expected to be very good this season, the Panthers do not lack for storylines.