The Los Angeles Rams reportedly had no competition for Baker Mayfield on the waiver wire.
Earlier this week, the Carolina Panthers released the struggling 2018 first overall pick, whom they acquired in a summer trade with the Cleveland Browns. With Matthew Stafford (spinal cord contusion) likely to miss the remainder of the season, the QB-needy Rams decided to pluck Mayfield off waivers.
According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, it’s “believed” that the defending Super Bowl champions are the only team that put in a waiver claim for the 27-year-old.
Some viewed the San Francisco 49ers as a potential landing spot for Mayfield. Trey Lance is out for the year recovering from a fractured ankle, and Jimmy Garoppolo wouldn’t return until the postseason at earliest after suffering a foot injury on Sunday.
But the 49ers seem confident with 2022 “Mr. Irrelevant” Brock Purdy and veteran journeyman Josh Johnson, who was signed from the practice squad earlier this week.
The Baltimore Ravens will be without star quarterback Lamar Jackson for an unknown amount of time. But John Harbaugh and company are obviously comfortable with backup Tyler Huntley, who led the team to a 10-9 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Mayfield lost five of six starts in Carolina, completing only 57.8 percent of pass attempts for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns against as many interceptions. The Panthers have simply gotten better play out of P.J. Walker and Sam Darnold, who led Carolina to a 23-10 over the Denver Broncos in Week 12.
With the Rams out of the playoff race, they have nothing to lose in giving Mayfield an opportunity. If the Oklahoma product can finish the 2022 season on a strong note, he just might earn himself the chance to start elsewhere in 2023.
The Rams host the Las Vegas Raiders, winners of three straight, on Thursday evening at SoFi Stadium.
