The Los Angeles Rams have signed former number one overall pick Baker Mayfield after he was released from the Carolina Panthers.
It comes after the quarterback had played poorly for the Panthers and falling to third-string quarterback behind Sam Darnold and PJ Walker, before reportedly being asked to be released, so he could compete for a starting spot elsewhere.
The San Francisco 49ers were heavily linked with a move for Mayfield after they lost Jimmy Garoppolo to a season-ending injury, but had been 23rd on the waiver priority list, with the Rams being the first team to put a claim in, who had been fourth on the list.
The Niners are in need of a quarterback as they look to contend for a Super Bowl this season, and have seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy as their current starter, with veteran Josh Johnson signed on Sunday from the Denver Broncos practice squad.
Mayfield is set to fly to Los Angeles on Tuesday night, and could make his franchise debut this week. Sean McVay's struggling Rams face off against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football, and Mayfield could be involved.
Matthew Stafford was placed on the injury reserve list earlier in the week, and it's expected Mayfield could be thrown straight in at the deep end as his replacement.
And whilst the move is likely seen as a quick fix term solution for the Rams to salvage something from this season, the team could be seeing what they have in Mayfield as their potential future starting quarterback.
Suffering with neck injuries are always worrying long-term, and if Stafford has any reservations, he could choose to walk away from the sport, after already accomplishing so much - including winning the Super Bowl last year.
Although Mayfield has struggled over the past 24 months, he has proven to be a capable starting quarterback, who could thrive in a Sean McVay style of offense. The former Oklahoma Sooner has always been an accurate passer, and should be comfortable to get the ball out quickly, which McVay predicates his offense on doing.
Now on his third team in 2022, this may be the last chance that Mayfield has to prove that he's a capable starter in the league, and even if he does not remain as a Ram next season, will see this as an audition to every team in the league looking for a quarterback next season that he's worthy of being considered as an option - still possessing the talents that saw him drafted over the likes of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
