Baker Mayfield’s NFL journey has been a winding road since he was selected first overall in 2018. After a promising start with the Cleveland Browns, a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers, and several ups and downs, Mayfield arrived in Los Angeles in December 2022 under unusual circumstances. Though short, his time with the Rams proved pivotal—not just for him, but for the team and coaching staff he energized.
A Challenging Situation in Los Angeles
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The Rams’ 2022 season was plagued by offensive line instability. Los Angeles allowed 59 sacks and 200 pressures on 590 dropbacks, meaning quarterbacks were under pressure on more than one-third of all passing plays. Right tackle Rob Havenstein, typically a reliable anchor, allowed 5 sacks and 38 pressures in 14 games. Injuries forced a revolving door at the other line positions, with Bobby Evans and Joseph Noteboom each allowing multiple sacks in only a handful of appearances. Thirteen linemen allowed at least one pressure across the season, highlighting the lack of continuity and making life extremely difficult for any quarterback.
Mayfield was claimed off waivers by the Rams on December 6, 2022, and inserted into the lineup just two days later due to an injury to Matthew Stafford. Despite the chaos, Mayfield completed 82 of 129 passes (63.6%) for 850 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions over five games. He took 17 sacks but lost only one fumble, maintaining a 2:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio—an impressive feat given the circumstances.
Reviving the Fun in Football
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Jourdan Rodrigue, appearing on NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal, captured the essence of Mayfield’s impact in Los Angeles:
“Why do I like Baker Mayfield so much, or why am I always rooting for Baker Mayfield? And it’s partially because of that. Like, I got to see that happen. He talks so much about how he found the fun in football again in that moment. What I hope he realizes is that he saved that building—him coming in all up until that game.
Let me remind people, Sean McVay had given up play calling. I’ve written about this extensively at The Athletic. He was in the worst, like, sort of mental health of his life to that point, and he was reeling. The entire building felt it. Matthew Stafford was injured. The entire building was tense and depressed and miserable, and you could feel it walking in. The atmosphere was heavy, and it just weighed on you.
And then Baker Mayfield got to town—get the bleep button ready behind the glass—but he just came in there and said, ‘F–k it, we ball.’ He had the most fun the day he got off the plane walking into that building. He brought Sean McVay back. He brought several of those assistant coaches back and then got them hired in other buildings because of the work they all did together. They’re currently either offensive coordinators or head coaches because of Baker Mayfield.
And he brought that entire roster back into joy in a way that was so pure and true. Like, one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
Rodrigue’s words underscore a rare quality: Mayfield’s ability to inject energy, optimism, and leadership into a struggling team. The Rams weren’t just helping him find his footing—Mayfield revitalized morale, brought staff back into their rhythm, and left a lasting imprint on coaches who would go on to lead in other NFL jobs.
Learning and Growth
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For Mayfield, the Rams stint was a crucible. He reflected ahead of Sunday night’s matchup between the Buccaneers and Rams:
“There is no way for me to sugarcoat it — it was pivotal in my career and in my journey. I’ve told you guys that it helped me find the fun in football again — that joy. And just, getting to learn from those guys. Obviously, it looks a lot different now that Raheem Morris is gone, Zac Robinson is gone, Liam Coen is gone, but Sean [McVay] has been there the whole time.
They helped me out and helped me discover what offense I really want to play in, and the responsibility that comes with [it] — a lot of accountability at the line of scrimmage and to check and get to the right plays. Yeah, it was instrumental in my career, something I am forever grateful for, and it will be fun to go back and see some familiar faces.”
A Stepping Stone to Tampa Bay Success
Since his time in Los Angeles, Mayfield has flourished in Tampa Bay. He has started every game over the past three seasons, earned two Pro Bowl selections, and set career highs with 4,500 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and 378 rushing yards. The lessons learned in LA—adapting quickly to a new system, taking accountability at the line, and maintaining poise under pressure—were foundational to his resurgence.
His five-game tenure with the Rams, in an environment rife with challenges and high expectations, illustrated his resilience. Facing extreme pressure and a constantly changing offensive line, Mayfield demonstrated that he could perform at a high level even in suboptimal conditions, a trait that has defined his career ever since.
Sunday Night: Full Circle
The Buccaneers’ upcoming game against the Rams marks Mayfield’s first return to Los Angeles since that transformative stint. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely—not just for the on-field matchup, but for the narrative of a player who helped revitalize a struggling organization while carving a path to personal success.
Baker Mayfield’s brief time with the Rams was a masterclass in mutual benefit: he gained experience, perspective, and clarity about the kind of offense he thrives in, while leaving a lasting imprint on coaches, staff, and teammates. It was a short chapter, but one that continues to resonate across both careers.