Getty Baker Mayfield against the Rams during a September 22, 2019 game.
The Los Angeles Rams have made their decision on whether or not to add to the quarterback room given their injury pileup.
And they will give a former first rounder once on a $32 million his latest chance.
Rams Luring in Mayfield
First reported by the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Rams claimed Baker Mayfield off waivers on Tuesday, December 6.
The #Rams have claimed QB Baker Mayfield, per and @TomPelissero. Added depth with Matthew Stafford on IR, Mayfield has a chance for a fresh start under Sean McVay.
And per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the move to lure in the Ex-2018 first overall pick means the Rams will inherit the remaining $1.35 million left on Mayfield’s contract. Mayfield was once signed to a four-year, $32,682,980 deal with the team that brought him into the league as the first overall pick of the 2018 draft the Cleveland Browns. And furthermore, Mayfield could be elevated for the Rams’ upcoming Thursday Night Football contest against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield was claimed on waivers today by the Los Angeles Rams, per league sources. The Rams now inherit the remaining $1.35 million on Mayfield’s contract. Mayfield is expected to fly to LA by tonight and could play Thursday night vs. the Raiders.
Schefter included how the Rams are “in the process of sending the playbook to Mayfield to make sure he can study the offense” while on his way to L.A.
Rams Had ‘Internal Dialogue’ With Mayfield All Along
As noted by Ari Meirov of Pro Football Focus, the Rams were tabbed in the top five among teams in the waiver wire for Mayfield’s services.
But turns out per ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler that the Rams were considered the favorite for Mayfield all along despite not being first in line of the waiver wire.
What I’ve gathered after asking around…
*#Rams ‘definitely’ having internal dialogue about adding Baker Mayfield
*People around league would be surprised if Texans, Bears, Broncos – ahead of L.A. in waiver order — claim him
*Mayfield would be ‘ready to roll’ with this result
Mayfield comes over as the newest quarterback option for head coach Sean McVay with Matthew Stafford dealing with spinal cord contusion and current QB1 John Wolford dealing with his own neck soreness. Bryce Perkins was left as the lone healthiest QB option. The Rams also lured in local product Case Cookus (from Thousand Oaks) to the practice squad during late November.
But now, the former Browns and Carolina Panther Mayfield gives the Rams three options in the QB room.
👨🍳👨🍳👨🍳
We have claimed and been awarded QB Baker Mayfield.
Insider Reveals Why Mayfield was Added
Adding Mayfield comes off as a needed depth move for the Rams. Yet, Schefter included another reason why he was added.
“Some of why the Rams claimed Baker Mayfield: They believe in his talent,” Schefter began. “They need a QB with Matthew Stafford sidelined for the season and John Wolford dealing with a neck injury. And if Mayfield signs elsewhere this off-season, the Rams could get back a compensatory draft pick.”
Meanwhile, Omar Ruiz from the NFL Network reminded people that Mayfield and McVay have met before: While on a flight.
“4 1/2 years after sitting next to each other on a flight from LA to Indianapolis for the combine, Sean McVay and Baker Mayfield have been reunited, according to @RapSheet & @TomPelissero,” Ruiz tweeted.
NFL insider Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston added “Baker Mayfield is pleased with this new opportunity with the Rams and this is regarded as a strong fit for former top overall pick, per league sources.”
Mayfield comes over to the Rams after asking for his release from the Panthers, per Fowler. Mayfield only won one game as a Panthers starter: The September 25, 2022 contest against the New Orleans Saints when he went 12-of-25 for 170 yards and threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Laviska Shenault in the 22-14 win.
Mayfield never threw for more than 235 yards in a single game while in a Panthers uniform or tossed more than two touchdown passes in his six starts. He could now be among three QB options for the 3-9 Rams heading into their TNF contest at SoFi Stadium.