Los Angeles Rams Open to Starting QB Mayfield on TNF

The Los Angeles Rams might throw caution to the wind in their Thursday Night Football matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, recently acquired quarterback Baker Mayfield has "a shot" to play in Week 14.

Asked if Baker Mayfield has a chance to play Thursday night for the Rams, one source just texted, “There’s a shot.”

Team is in the process of sending the playbook to Mayfield to make sure he can study the offense on his flight to Los Angeles.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 6, 2022

The Rams claimed Mayfield off of waivers earlier this afternoon. The team's top quarterback Matthew Stafford is presently on injured reserve and likely done for the year. Top backup John Wolford is day-to-day with a neck injury.

For Mayfield to start, the Rams will have to choose him over third-stringer Bryce Perkins. Perkins netted a mere 76 yards on 26 dropbacks with two interceptions in his only start of the year, a 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

At 3-9, the Rams are out of the playoff hunt and have little gain this season by winning or losing; the Detroit Lions own their 2023 first-round pick because of the Stafford trade. All that they can take from their remaining schedule is self-scouting and player evaluation. If they have any long-term interest in Mayfield, they're better off seeing what they have in him sooner than later.