Los Angeles Rams add quarterback to roster after claiming former Carolina Panthers flagger Baker Mayfield by CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson. The former Cleveland Browns No. 1 pick was released by Carolina on Monday after just seven games played with the Panthers. By NFL MediaCarolina is now off the hook for the $1.4 million the quarterback owed.
The Rams claimed Mayfield as they needed a quarterback with Matthew Stafford on injured reserve and John Wolford struggling with a neck injury, by ESPN. Additionally, the Rams will get a compensatory pick back if Mayfield signs elsewhere this offseason. ESPN reports there’s a shot Mayfield could play in two days against the Las Vegas Raiders. The team is reportedly sending the playbook to their new quarterback.
Besides adding a quarterback who can finish the season, the Rams may have also played a waiver wire “defense”, keeping Mayfield from rival San Francisco 49ers, who lost Jimmy Garoppolo to the following a foot injury on Sunday. ESPN reports that the 49ers have not filed a claim for Mayfield, nor any team other than the Rams.
Mayfield got the start at quarterback for the Panthers to start the year after Carolina sent Cleveland a conditional fourth-round pick for his services. However, a sprained ankle suffered in Week 5 eliminated him from the starting lineup. Mayfield went 1-5 as a Carolina starter and completed 57.8% of his passes for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions in seven total games.
The Rams were one of our the four main projected landing sites for Mayfield. The quarterback didn’t fall far down the waiver order, as the Rams were No. 4. This isn’t the campaign the defending Super Bowl champions envision, as the Rams currently sit 3- 9 at the start of Week 14. LA can be officially knocked out of the playoffs this week with a loss or tie, plus a Seattle Seahawks win or tie. They could also be eliminated with a Seahawks win and a New York Giants win or tie. If the Rams are knocked out of the playoffs this week, it would be the first playoff outing for a defending Super Bowl champion with the 1999 Denver Broncos.
