oldnotdead
Legend
- Joined
- May 16, 2019
- Messages
- 5,387
Let's see, he played behind the worst OL in the NFL, where the only starter on the OL wasn't exactly the best one. The only starting WR was just returning from injury. Oh yeah, he played his first game less than 48 hrs after arriving in LA and won in dramatic fashion. He won 2 of 5 games, and Stafford was 3 wins in 9 games with starters for most of those games. Oh yeah, have you listened to the way McVay enthused over Mayfield and exactly what he said? How much he likes Mayfield since before the Combine. McVay tweaked his plays to help Mayfield, something he did for Stafford and Mayfield but no one else, not even Goff.
It's not a matter of whether you or I like Mayfield. It's how McVay feels about Mayfield. The huge upside to signing Baker is that even if they pay him the same $8M they paid him for 5 games, to backup Stafford for one year it's already factored in the cap, it's simply not deducted on the new year, i.e. today. If Snead and McVay commit to Mayfield to be the starter in 2024 I really think he stays. If Baker stays it completely frees up Snead to wheel and deal those first round picks next year and beyond. Baker as a starter will be paid about half of what Stafford was being paid so look at the massive difference it will make with the cap.
I have never been a fan of Mayfield. But I will give credit where it is due. Why do you think Tampa who passed on him on the waiver wire suddenly wants him as their starter? Because he showed something he needed to show. He showed he could read defenses, and he could make all the throws accurately. Mayfield showed more than could be expected in those 5 games. If he could win 2 of 5 with a bunch of backups what can he do once he knows the full offense with the starters? Kupp will cook no matter who is spinning the ball. He made Tutu look like a legit Y receiver. He made Skowronek look like A Robinson. In other words, he raised the level of play of the skill position players around him. I'm sorry but that's impressive no matter who is doing it. Baker showed that with McVay designing plays for him he can be very good. Snead and McVay can't afford to make the same mistake with Mayfield that they made with Goff.
Ultimately the decision is Mayfield's to make. But Snead and McVay owe it to the franchise to make a run at him, not just let him walk. If both Goff and Mayfield blossom into franchise QBs on other franchises how will it make the Rams look the next time Stafford goes down, his health isn't one I'd bet on. IMO his undoing will be the same that destroys pitchers, elbow tendonitis. It really affected his throws beyond 20 yds, they were under or overthrown. With the sore elbow, Stafford had last year I really think his ability to complete the last pass would be a tossup considering the distance.
So yeah I personally think they will try to sign him and the only way they have a chance is to offer him the start in 2024.
