Baker Mayfield owes it to himself to re-sign with LA Rams, but will he?

LA Rams QB Baker Mayfield could throw for 1000 yards for the LA Rams in 2022. That’s significant because the last quarterback to throw for 1000 yards for the Rams in a season who was not the opening day starter was in 2016 when rookie quarterback Jared Goff started the final seven games of the season. In that year, Goff completed 112 of 205 passes for 1,089 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Right now, Mayfield has completed 69 of 103 passes for 703 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. The most he has thrown for the LA Rams is 230 yards, a mark he has matched twice in four games. He needs 297 yards to get to 1000 yards.  The last time he has thrown for that many yards was an October 10, 2021 contest while playing for the Cleveland Browns, when he threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort against the LA Chargers.

There is a competitive nature among NFL players that can sometimes work against them. While it is the driving force that keeps their perspective at that unshakable place as the world around them seems to burn, it does put an NFL player into the path of thinking that it’s all on him, when the truth is that players need to find the right system to flourish.

Symbiosis

LA Rams head coach Sean McVay has long toyed with the idea of running his offense through the skillset of a more mobile quarterback. Baker Mayfield meanwhile, has long sought to belong to an offense that played to his strengths, much like his early years in the offense of the Cleveland Browns.

But there are signs that the McVay-Mayfield could hold even more promise for Baker Mayfield’s long-term future in the NFL.  Mayfield has a huge arsenal of receiving weapons on this LA Rams roster. Keep in mind that he has only had access to WR4 or lower so far. He has yet to play on the same football field as Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson, or even Ben Skowronek.

Beyond that, the LA Rams have a makeshift offensive line as well. In terms of perfect pockets to throw from, Mayfield has not exactly gotten the first-class treatment by this version of the LA Rams offensive line. But he continues to impress.

The value of a McVay quarterback will only go up next year

Mayfield is 2-2 when playing for the LA Rams so far this season. In two victories, he has thrown for 230 yards and at least one touchdown in each game. In two losses, he has thrown for less than 150 yards, and as many touchdowns as interceptions. So there is no guarantee that Baker Mayfield may be viewed as a sure-fire starter by any NFL team right now.

But if the Rams free agency targets extending him, Mayfield would be wise to take the offer. Not only does he remain working with Sean McVay, but he will have the opportunity to work with and learn from veteran QB Matthew Stafford.

Best of all, the value to the NFL of a quarterback who knows the LA Rams offense backward and forward will only inflate in 2023. Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is showing up large in their offense this season, and the Rams’ offensive coaches have long been coveted by other NFL teams hoping to jumpstart their own offensive production. Even a one-year deal with the LA Rams, and a full season on the Rams roster, will give Mayfield a strong foundation to compete for an NFL starting role in 2024.

The LA Rams have a solid track record of rejuvenating the careers of NFL players. But too few stars remain on the LA Rams roster. Baker Mayfield owes it to himself to remain on the LA Rams roster. But, will he?