Rams’ Baker Mayfield: ‘I know I’m a starting quarterback’
Quarterback Baker Mayfield expressed confidence in his abilities shortly after the final game of what ultimately may become a brief stay with the Los Angeles Rams.
“Today I’m not real happy with how I played,” Mayfield remarked following Los Angeles’ 19-16 overtime loss at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon. “I’m going to kick myself over and over for not putting that ball on the sideline for Van [Jefferson] on that last play. But, no, I know I’m a starting quarterback. I’m confident in that. And we’ll just see what happens.”
Specifically, Mayfield was referencing an underthrown ball that Seattle safety Quandre Diggs intercepted during the game’s extra period. The Seahawks won via a walk-off field goal on their next offensive possession:
It was a frustrating completion to what was, to date, Mayfield’s most unique NFL campaign. The Cleveland Browns traded the No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft to the Carolina Panthers this past July, and the Panthers later waived Mayfield in early December. It was reported at that time that teams didn’t view the 27-year-old as a legitimate starter at the highest level, and the Rams were the only club to place a waiver claim for his services.
In total, Mayfield appeared in five games with the Rams. He completed 82-of-129 pass attempts (63.6%) for 850 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions while filling in for injured starter Matthew Stafford.
Per ESPN stats, Mayfield entered Monday 31st among qualified quarterbacks with a 79.0 passer rating, dead last with a 24.8 total QBR, and 33rd out of 34 players with a 60.0% completion percentage on the season.
Stafford shut down rumors he could retire this offseason ahead of Christmas. Mayfield made it known Sunday he’ll be looking for “the best opportunity” as a free agent.
“I’m not going to just go chase a check to go start and play,” Mayfield explained. “After seeing a place that makes me have fun playing football again, it’s going to be hard to try something else new, but obviously it’s going to be a big-time decision.”
Late Sunday night, ESPN’s Field Yates pointed out the Rams should want Mayfield back for the 2023 season but likely won’t be able to keep the signal-caller.
“Mayfield’s late-season stretch (four passing TDs over five games) might have priced himself out of a return to the Rams, who already have many huge contracts on the books for 2023,” Yates noted.
Los Angeles finished this season at 5-12 and could lose head coach Sean McVay to a broadcasting gig as soon as before Super Bowl LVII in February.
