Mayfield claimed off waivers by Qb-needy Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have claimed quarterback Baker Mayfield off waivers, the team announced Tuesday.

The Carolina Panthers waived Mayfield on Monday, something interim coach Steve Wilks said was a mutual agreement between the two sides. Wilks said Mayfield asked to be released after finding out he wouldn’t be the starting quarterback or backup in Carolina going forward.

The Rams will inherit the remaining $1.35 million on Mayfield’s contract.

Mayfield is expected to fly to Los Angeles by Tuesday night and could play as soon as Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders as the Rams are in the process of sending the playbook to him to make sure he can study the offense on his flight, sources told ESPN’S Adam Schefter. Asked if Mayfield has a chance to play against the Raiders, one source told Schefter, “there’s a shot.”

The Rams were the only team to place a waiver claim on Mayfield, a source told ESPN’S Field Yates.

“It’s just kind of acquiring talent, to be honest, and acquiring somebody to come in and evaluate him, but also our offense,” Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen said Tuesday about the Rams claiming Mayfield. “Continuing to evaluate the offense [and] the other players. It’s more so about acquiring talent. Just getting somebody in here that we can continue to develop some competitive nature within the room.”

Dodgers last season, in addition to plus speed on the bases, but he also continued to struggle offensively.

Bellinger ventured into the free agent market a year early after he was cut by the Dodgers on Nov. 18 after hitting .210 with 19 homers, 150 strikeouts and a .654 OPS in 144 games. He had been due to make in the neighborhood of $18 million in 2023.