Defender for the first time Baker Mayfield Playing at Sophie Stadium, he started for the Rams with just two days of practice.
December 6, 2022 Rams demanded Mayfield be waived by the Carolina Panthers replace injured Matthew Stafford. A few days later he headed Rams beat Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football.
That performance, one of five games in which Mayfield began to end that historic Super Bowl hangover season for the Rams, kicked off Mayfield's then-stalled career.
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Gary Klein previews Sunday's game between the Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sophie Stadium.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him to a one-year contract in 2023 and he led them to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. He reportedly signed a three-year deal in 2024 that includes $55 million in guarantees and could be worth up to $100 million. Overthecap.com.
And on Sunday, he returns to Sophie Stadium to face a Rams team that is 8-2 and looking very much like a Super Bowl contender.
“I can't sugarcoat it… It's been instrumental in my career and my journey,” Mayfield, speaking about his time with the Rams, told Tampa Bay reporters this week, adding, “It's helped me find fun in football again… It's been instrumental in my career, which I'll always be grateful for, and it'll be fun to come back and see some familiar faces.”
During his short tenure with the Rams, Mayfield “had a spark” and demonstrated “pretty impressive mental toughness” to process and put into practice so much information, the Rams coach said. Sean McVay said.
“It’s one thing to internalize it, but it’s another thing to be able to put it into practice when the enemy has a say,” McVeigh said. “It was impressive. I think when you look at what he's done and who he is, I think it's probably more in line with what we expect from Baker than outstanding when you look at the totality of everything he's done.”
Mayfield, 30, has thrown 17 touchdowns with three interceptions this season for the Buccaneers (6-4), who lead the NFC South.
The matchup will pit Mayfield, the top pick in the 2018 draft, against Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the top pick in the 2009 draft.
“His ability to come in and play damn well in a short amount of time was really amazing,” Stafford said, adding, “He went through a lot and came out the other side playing about as good as anyone.”
The Rams earned a 21–19 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, a victory that extended their winning streak to five games and gave them sole possession of first place in the NFC West.
Stafford had a league-best 27 touchdown passes to just two interceptions. Davante Adams has a league-best 10 touchdown catches.
The Rams will be without three veteran starters — tight end Tyler Higbee, right tackle Rob Havenstein and defensive end Quentin Lake — who were placed on injured reserve this week.
