Baker Mayfield hinted the Rams would call for his services after he was released by Carolina earlier this week. Mayfield was so sure Los Angeles would sign him that he booked a flight to Los Angeles before the waiver was officially granted.
In a performance that fit the Hollywood script, Mayfield led the Rams to an epic 17-16 victory on Thursday night after throwing the game-winning touchdown to Fan with 10 seconds left. Jefferson. The score ended on a 98-yard drive, with Mayfield completing several big passes while helping the Rams end their six-game losing streak.
“It’s just there,” Mayfield told Amazon’s postgame staff when asked to compare Thursday night’s win to other big moments in his career. “Initially, I was annoyed at having to go through so many coaching changes and learn so many new things, but it really helped. … They played some great games there and put me in a position to win. Great location.”
It took Sean McVeigh three runs and one possession to switch from John Wolford to Mayfield. Mayfield came on with 2:21 left in the first quarter and the Rams trailed 10-0.
“I knew I wasn’t going to start,” Mayfield said. “Honestly, we’re just seeing how John feels, seeing how things go and playing it out. I’m going to be ready no matter what.”
In his Rams debut, Mayfield went 22 of 35 for 230 yards. Down 16-3, Mayfield engineered 17 plays, ending with a 1-yard touchdown run by Cam Akers. After the Rams defense forced a quick punt, Mayfield completed a 32-yard field goal on Ben Kronek on Los Angeles’ final play, helping him pass the game-winning pass to Jefferson.
“Honestly, I was absolutely shocked that they were in the media with 15 seconds left in the game,” Mayfield said of his game-winning touchdown pass. “I really thought they were going to try to jump out of the zone and hit the zone, but they just stuck with it. Their weak-side safety was still there. Van was a great baserunner. He won the ball and did a good job. ”
In his first game as a Ram, the former Browns and Panthers quarterback completed a 21-yard field goal on Jefferson. Mayfield followed up with a 6-yard run that set Matt Gay on a 55-yard field goal.
“For him to come here and just do what he did, it shows just how determined and what kind of person he is. I’m glad he’s here,” Jefferson told Amazon’s Kaylee Hartung. “He just came in to work out. He’s only been here one day. … When he comes in, we know he’s going to perform.”
Mayfield and the Rams’ offense didn’t do much in the second or third quarters, but it opened up in the fourth. He passed the ball to Skovoronek and Tutuatwell with considerable success. Skowronek caught seven passes for 89 yards. Atwell caught five passes for 50 yards after catching just six in the first three months of the season.
Mayfield signed with the Rams a day after being released by the Panthers. Mayfield, who signed with Carolina last offseason, lost his starting job after suffering an injury in Week 5. His final start for Carolina came in a Week 11 loss to the Browns, with whom he had spent the first four years of his career.
“I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is don’t let the game on the court affect how you perform day in and day out,” Mayfield said when asked about the most important thing he’s learned in his career so far. “Being the same person to your teammates is the most important thing I think I’ve tried to deal with this year. Help as much as I can, don’t let all the other things get to me and fight with punches. Be myself, be that leader By.
“I love football. I love playing the game, playing football and competing. Go enjoy it.”
Mayfield did that, and then some on Thursday night, with a memorable performance that helped his new team avoid a playoff elimination.
“It says something about the locker room culture,” Mayfield said of the Rams’ overall performance Thursday night. “They came here and are still trying to compete, even though the record speaks for itself. Just welcome me in, compete and fight to the end. That says everything you need to know about this place.”
