People here don't realize the problems Baker faced. To say he's not a franchise QB is premature. Poor OL play, limited knowledge of the offense, playing with backup WRs, no time to learn what to expect from his WRs. McVay's offense is complex with a lot of sight adjustments by the WRs. If the QB and WR don't read it the same way the ball ends up nowhere near the receiver. We saw that between Tutu and Stafford on a deep pattern. Stafford expected Tutu to continue to cross to the right but Tutu pressed the route to the left. Lack of time with the WR is the fault. Same thing all season with Robinson and Stafford. Because of the poor OL play, Stafford simply threw to Kupp and Jefferson who he knew what to expect.
If Mayfield stays and is able to practice with the WRs and get to know how they see the field in any given circumstance as Stafford does with Kupp, you will see a completely different QB. I could tell Baker was thinking his way through the plays so his timing was often off as were his throws. The fact that he has been able to play as well as he has is testimony to his talent as a QB.
He's not a franchise QB right now but he most certainly can be after time to learn the offense and establish his timing with the receivers. Then and only then can we judge him fairly. People were premature in their judgment of Goff yet he's shown he's one of the better QBs in the NFL. The difference in Goff between LA and Detroit is the scheme fit. Detroit built their offense around Goff's skillset setting him up to succeed. McVay didn't do that. McVay assumed Goff couldn't read defenses well enough to change plays, yet he does that routinely in Detroit. In other words, McVay set Goff up to fail in that regard the same as when he dismantled the OL in 2019 then suddenly it was Goff regressing. Yet we have seen the exact same thing in Stafford this year but only crickets.
At least to me Mayfield has shown he's at least as good as Goff as a QB. Put him in the right scheme with a decent OL and like Goff, Mayfield can play well.
) finished 8-9......losing a crucial game at home. Again. Stafford looked bad early and like a salon paus ad the last 6 weeks. Surrounding cast matters and the great ones can make good players better. Baker is not that kind of QB. But he's capable of winning if he can stay within the system and has a good surrounding cast.
