We are just a few hours away from finding out where Baker Mayfield will be playing next, but the closer we get, the less likely it seems he’ll be a Niner when all is said and done.
Following his release from the Carolina Panthers yesterday, many considered the San Francisco 49ers to be a front-runner to pick him up after losing Jimmy Garoppolo to a foot fracture in week 13. However, the Niners’ are way down the waiver priority list, at 24th. And it’s widely expected that several teams ahead of them will put in claims for the former first-overall pick.
Among those expected to make a claim for Mayfield are the Los Angeles Rams, who hold the no. 4 position in the waiver priority. The Rams recently lost Matthew Stafford for what is expected to be the remainder of the season. And on top of that, you can’t help but feel as though they’d jump all over the opportunity to block their division rival from acquiring a much-needed quaterback.
As it stands, even 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that it would be a shock if Mayfield fell to the Niners.
Whether they get Baker or not, the 49ers are still expected to roll with 2022 seventh-round pick Brock Purdy. The reigning Mr. Irrelevant looked sharp after relieving Garoppolo against the Dolphins, completing 25 of 37 pass attempts for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 33-17 win.
