Despite acquiring Baker Mayfield less than two days ago via waivers, the Rams are already considering giving him game work. There is a “real chance” the former Browns and Panthers starter plays for his new team Thursday night, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.
It seems the team’s preference is for John Wolford to make another start, but Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) that Matthew Stafford‘s original backup not being healthy enough to return from a neck injury would lead to Mayfield getting the nod against the Raiders. This would be quite the step for the recently relocated quarterback, especially when considering the Rams’ mini-bye ends with a Week 15 Monday-night game. Wolford, who has made two starts for the Rams this season, is listed as questionable.
Being informed he would be demoted to Carolina’s third-string quarterback, Mayfield requested to be cut. The Panthers obliged. Only the Rams submitted a claim. Mayfield is believed to be up to speed on the Rams’ Week 14 game plan, per Pelissero, though he will presumably be quite limited for functionality in Sean McVay‘s offense at this point. Mayfield last started in Week 11 — a 13-3 Panthers loss to the Ravens.
Mayfield is both going through the worst season of his career and potentially set to take the reins for a Rams team having (thus far) the worst season by a defending Super Bowl champion. The Rams’ 3-9 record is the worst by a defending champ through 12 games. No quarterback has finished a season with a worse QBR figure than Mayfield’s 17.8 number since 2010. Los Angeles is without Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson and multiple offensive line starters. The team let left guard David Edwards‘ injury-activation window close Wednesday; the veteran starter is now out for the season.
Stafford’s IR stay created a void for the Rams at quarterback. Although Bryce Perkins made a start against the Chiefs two weeks ago, Mayfield looks to have already surpassed him in L.A.’s pecking order here. Mayfield is on the Rams’ payroll at $1.35MM for the rest of the season. How he fares down the stretch stands to affect his market and potentially a future Rams compensatory draft pick, in the event the parties part ways at season’s end.
Don’t screw this up Raiders.
Watch him throw for 300 yards and 3 TDs to beat the underperforming Raiders. …..but I won’t bet on it! Ha!
Watch him throw for 300 yards and 3 TDs to beat the underperforming Raiders. But I won’t bet on it! Ha!
Two days with a playbook, an injury riddled pass catcher group, and an offensive line that couldn’t protect a vending machine facing the Raiders when Chandler Jones just started getting to the quarterback again. What could possibly go wrong?
It doesn’t matter if he had stud receivers and RBs he still would suck!
This comment didn’t age well
Turns out, he played pretty good. 22-35 for 230 yards and a TD. His receivers made some good catches on some fairly decent throws.
If the Raiders are in your fantasy free agent pool, nab them tonight…..lol
Whoops.
Carlson got me 12 points.
I wonder if Baker knows the playbook at all. McVay may have to channel his inner Tom Landry and shuttle linemen in each down with the play call!
Let Baker learn your playbook before you start him challenge: impossible.
At this point, why not? He couldn’t do any worse.
A night time start offers a glimmer of hope. Mayfield is 1-11 in games with afternoon start times.
Rams are making up for Detroit only getting the 32 pick this past draft. Could be a top 3 pick for 2023 which Detroit will use to reach for a Tight End.
Someone should tell the Rams it makes no sense to tank when you have traded all of your draft picks to other teams. Of course, the Rams never consider the future…
Get ready for a loss LA!!!
Bake serving up a lot of STFU to the haters tonite.
Raiders gonna Raider
The Raiders. Lol.
Wise decision.