Quarterback Mayfield Could Start for Los Angeles Rams

If quarterback Baker Mayfield is going to resuscitate his career with the Los Angeles Rams, he'll have to hit the ground running. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the former Carolina Panther and Cleveland Brown could start tonight depending on the health of backup quarterback John Wolford.

New #Rams QB Baker Mayfield is expected to be active tonight vs. the #Raiders and there’s a real chance he plays, per sources. His role will depend in part on how John Wolford (questionable, neck) is feeling. Mayfield got in Tuesday night and is up to speed on the full game plan.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 8, 2022

The Rams claimed Mayfield off of waivers on Tuesday after he was cut by the Panthers. He appeared in six games this year, winning one start and netting 1187 passing yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions.

If Mayfield does indeed start, the Rams won't exactly be putting him in a position to succeed. The team will be without its top wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson. Even with those two available, the Rams offense has been a disaster this year: they rank 29th in scoring, 31st in yards gained, and 24th in giveaways. Barring some shocking, transcendent play from Mayfield two days after joining the team, they're unlikely to stand much of a chance tonight.

Mayfield initially entered the league as the first overall pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft after a Heisman Trophy-winning senior season at Oklahoma. He played four up-and-down seasons with the Browns, throwing for 14125 yards, 92 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions in 60 appearances. After three losing seasons in four years, the Browns moved on this offseason, trading for controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson and shipping Mayfield to the Panthers.