Baker Mayfield Recalls 'Life-Changing' NFL Moment Ahead of Bucs' Game vs. Rams in LA

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield recently reflected on what he described as a "pivotal" end to the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams ahead of Sunday's Week 12 matchup between his current and former teams.

Mayfield, who had just been cut by the Carolina Panthers, was claimed off waivers by the Rams as an injury replacement for Matthew Stafford in December 2022.

The quarterback went on to turn his Rams debut into a stunning comeback win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14.

Down by six points with just 1:45 left on the clock, Mayfield led the Rams on a 98-yard touchdown drive to seal the win.

"It was life-changing," Mayfield told ESPN's Sarah Barshop. "It was the biggest weight lifted off my shoulders that I had ever felt. I could physically feel it, which is hard to imagine, but I did."

Mayfield told Buccaneers.com's Brianna Dix: "There is no way for me to sugar coat it. It was pivotal in my career and in my journey. I have told you guys that it helped me find the joy in football again."

The Bucs quarterback credited Zac Robinson, Liam Coen and Sean McVay with helping him adjust to greater responsibility on offense.

"It was a lot of accountability at the line of scrimmage, and checking at the right plays, but it was instrumental in my career and something I am forever grateful for," Mayfield said, per Dix.

The Rams ultimately finished the season just 2-3 with Mayfield under center.

He still passed for 850 yards with four touchdowns and two picks, while adding 91 yards on 15 carries, in a performance that earned him his first contract with the Bucs.

Mayfield went on to pass for more than 4,000 yards and earn his first career Pro Bowl nod in a 2023 campaign that earned him a three-year deal with the Bucs.

He will now have a chance to take what he learned from McVay and use it against the Rams when the Bucs kick off a Week 12 matchup at SoFi Stadium this Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET.