Here’s Oldnotdead…
As I've been saying it's obvious that Baker has improved his ability to go through his progressions. I love his accuracy.
Also, like I've been saying the Rams should tell Stafford he has a two year window to win another ring, but in 2025 Baker will be starting in LA. After the 2024 season, the dead cap on Stafford's contract is affordable. Stafford's dead cap would be $24M split over 2 years. But they could recoup $26.5 M in the cap. That would pay for Baker's contract.
If Baker knows he will be the starter no later than 2025 he will stay. It will give McVay 2 years to develop Baker and he does need work. It will also give McVay two years to design an offense to fit Baker's skillset. I think that will be fair to both QBs.
Personally, I don't think Stafford can play 2 years without getting too many concussions. If they let Mayfield walk and Stafford goes down again they will regret letting Baker leave. That will slam the SB window shut and McVay probably leaves soon thereafter. It behooves Snead to keep Baker and thereby keep McVay and the SB window open for years.
Remember concussions are accumulative each one making the player more susceptible to another. Look at how close the last two came together. Snead has to know this. IMO they had to let Matt try to play another year due to the dead cap. But even if they pull the plug after next season they can absorb the cap hit. It wouldn't surprise me if they have already talked to Matt about this. If Baker says he would accept backup for one year not two then Snead would have no choice but pull the plug on Matt.
I never thought I'd say this but Baker Mayfield might be the best option to keep the Super Bowl window open. This offense with all the backups playing looked better than Tampa Bay's with the starters. IMO if they let Mayfield walk that is where he will end up playing. Brady is playing himself into retirement.
