In mid-August, when the Carolina Panthers were preparing to name Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback, a high-ranking member of the team’s braintrust had an uncomplicated bottom line for the 2022 season. It was one simple thing to get the former No. 1 overall draft pick back on track toward a promising career as an NFL starter.

“Is he going to be an All-Pro here? Probably not,” the Panthers source said. “But he doesn’t have to be. He doesn’t have to be great. He just has to take advantage of the guys around him. If he can do that, I think he can be [a long-term answer at quarterback].”

Once a hopeful franchise centerpiece, Mayfield headed to waivers this week from Carolina as a journeyman quarterback looking for any chance. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Rams gave it to him, claiming Mayfield for the final month of the regular season and potentially giving him an opportunity to put together some helpful film before hitting free agency in March.