Baker Mayfield Rumors: Rams 'Looking Into' Claiming Ex-Panthers QB Amid 49ers Buzz

With Matthew Stafford likely out for the rest of the season and not wanting to let Baker Mayfield potentially go to a division rival, the Los Angeles Rams could be in the Mayfield sweepstakes.

Per Albert Breer of The MMQB, the Rams are "looking into" claiming Mayfield off waivers from the Carolina Panthers.

Breer noted the Rams are fourth in the waiver-priority order, behind the Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos.

The Panthers announced Monday they released Mayfield after he started just six games this season.

Per The Athletic's Jeff Howe, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick requested his release after the Panthers told him he was going to be the third-string quarterback behind Sam Darnold and PJ Walker.

Mayfield's release came in the wake of Jimmy Garoppolo and Lamar Jackson suffering injuries Sunday. Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Jackson is week-to-week with a knee injury.

Garoppolo suffered a season-ending foot injury in the San Francisco 49ers' 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins. Rookie Brock Purdy replaced Garoppolo and played well, finishing 25-of-37 with 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed to downplay the possibility of San Francisco putting in a waiver claim on Mayfield.

"I've always been a fan of his but feel real good with all our players," Shanahan told reporters Monday.

The loss of Garoppolo could have huge ramifications on the NFC playoff race. The 49ers have won five consecutive games and are the No. 3 seed in the NFC, but they only have a one-game lead over the Seattle Seahawks in the division.

San Francisco and Seattle will play at Lumen Field on Dec. 15.

The Rams have lost six consecutive games following a 3-3 start. Head coach Sean McVay said after Sunday's loss to the Seahawks that Stafford will likely miss the rest of the year recovering from a spinal cord contusion.

John Wolford and Bryce Perkins have started games under center for the Rams with Stafford out. Wolford finished 14-of-26 for 178 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions against Seattle.

Mayfield went 1-5 in starts for the Panthers this season. In seven appearances, he completed 57.8 percent of his pass attempts for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.