Just over five years ago, Baker Mayfield was the Cleveland Browns’ No. 1 overall pick. A standout Heisman winner with the Oklahoma Sooners, Mayfield was expected to be a franchise quarterback for a Browns organization that probably doesn’t even understand what the phrase “franchise quarterback” means. By some measures, Mayfield was on top of the football world.
My, my — how the outlook of a QB’s career can shift so dramatically in just a quick half-decade in the NFL.
On Tuesday, the desperate Los Angeles Rams claimed Mayfield off of waivers after he was released following a dismal stint with the Carolina Panthers. Though unrealistic due to waiver priority (which is based on the NFL standings), it was expected that a Super Bowl contender like the 49ers would at least inquire about Mayfield’s services after an unfortunate injury to Jimmy Garoppolo.
As it turns out, San Francisco didn’t put in a claim for the former top pick. Ironically, as it stands, it looks like they will instead ride with Brock Purdy, a.k.a. “Mr. Irrelevant,” a.k.a the last selection of the 2022 NFL Draft. Actually, the Rams were the only team to put in a waiver claim for Mayfield.
How the plot thickens!
For what it’s worth, the 49ers did not put in a waiver claim for QB Baker Mayfield, who wound up being claimed by the Rams, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 6, 2022
The Rams were the only team to place a waiver claim on Baker Mayfield, per source.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 6, 2022
For Mayfield, this is quite the fall from grace. He was supposed to be The One in Cleveland. Then, when that inevitably fell apart, he was (maybe) supposed to help bring the Panthers back to some kind of relevance. Then, when that vision predictably imploded in on itself … he’s just another guy now. Even if Mayfield starts quickly for the Rams over the rest of 2022, he’s probably just a glorified backup at best.
If the 49ers, who have a Super Bowl-level roster everywhere except at quarterback, would rather potentially stick with someone like Purdy — literally picked last in a draft — rather than even get themselves into the mix for Mayfield — literally picked first in a draft — then that should tell you all you to need to know. Plus, given recent developments, Garoppolo could make a playoff return in a best-case scenario. So, yeah … there wasn’t much hope for a Mayfield rebound.
There’s almost no subtext regarding this football poetry. Mayfield’s NFL career at the moment is a sad, tragic state of affairs. And the 2022 Rams might be his last real shot at finding optimism.