Baker is..

[payote75]

Not only am I impressed with Baker and his attitude his humble pie eating and his ability but let's not also forget he is playing with mostly question marks to scrap pieces to go with a offensive line that is pretty poor. My point how would he look with a full squad Kupp Arob Van etc.

I'm praying he stays and understands the value of Mcvay the culture the future and the geography for him and his family. People keep saying teams might want to sign him etc. Well other teams won't have the skill players and the biggest two things coach mcvay and just being LA. So money talks I will be very curious to see how he decides or if the rams decide for him.

 

[payote75]

Baker will have his off days like against the Packers, but ultimately, I want to re-sign him. He's been amazing for us. I'm impressed with his ability to find the open receiver, to look defenders off, to zip the ball, make any throw needed.

Does he have the arm talent of Stafford? No, but who does? I hope we re-sign him, but if we don't, I guarantee we'll get a third round compensatory pick for him; he's played up to that level.

In all honesty I wouldn't even consider green bay an "off" game. It was blah but the team was blah it was frigid the o-line was horrible and it still was only his second game with the rams in a volatile stadium.

 

[Corbin]

My daddy..

 

[Ellard80]

different kind of rams offense today...

sean designed it to be more like what baker would know in cleveland

2 TE lots of running.

 

[SWAdude]

Baker is thriving in this environment. He knows there is a personal advantage to having that. He leaves for another team that he is unable to thrive in again he is done and a foot note in NFL History.

If Baker continues showing what he has been doing I would hope that the Rams could offer him an acceptable contract. Stafford has a history of questionable durability and he may not be Tom Brady old but he is leaning into that direction.

I hope it all works out cause man, that guy is just fun to have on the team. And he seems to be having fun. Maybe for the first time ever.

 

[Riverumbbq]

But also from his perspective and that of Stafford the Rams are going to need to make meaningful moves on the OL. Investments are required. If he is told "oh yeah we're gonna have Boom and Allen back next year so we're good on the OL it was just bad luck" he should run from this team. So there's a lot of stuff at play that will influence things. Could end up being that Asshole Face takes over the Colts and wants him, or Shanahan is calling then yeah I think taking the bigger contract and job is the way to go. But we're probably gonna have to wait and see which teams are vying for him and what the Rams offer him and all that.

Stafford's wife will bitch-slap Snead and kick McVay in a place that will delay his ability to have children if the Rams don't invest heavily in the draft for our OL.
Offer Mayfield a 3 year contract with the knowledge that year one will always come with a big discount & incentives, his CAP hit won't really become a burden until 2024 as long as it's backloaded.
jmo.

 

[Merlin]

Teams are going to come for Baker this offseason. My question for the cap knowledgeable posters here is what are our options to try to extract value out of his departure. Assuming he gets the kind of offers that means we aren't going to be able to keep him.

Also and btw... Nobody likes this concept but if McVay gets comfortable with Baker running this offense it is not a stretch for him to think "this guy is a lot younger than Stafford." So IF Baker keeps playing and developing how he has so far the age alone is reason to clear Stafford out and make room for him to be our starter. I know, I know. Blasphemy right. But Stafford's age and elbow are real concerns that Mayfield does not have.

Telling you right now there is a chance we see some crazy fucking moves this offseason.

 

[SWAdude]

Teams are going to come for Baker this offseason. My question for the cap knowledgeable posters here is what are our options to try to extract value out of his departure. Assuming he gets the kind of offers that means we aren't going to be able to keep him.

Also and btw... Nobody likes this concept but if McVay gets comfortable with Baker running this offense it is not a stretch for him to think "this guy is a lot younger than Stafford." So IF Baker keeps playing and developing how he has so far the age alone is reason to clear Stafford out and make room for him to be our starter. I know, I know. Blasphemy right. But Stafford's age and elbow are real concerns that Mayfield does not have.

Telling you right now there is a chance we see some crazy fucking moves this offseason.

I believe this may have already been hashed out but moving on from Stafford is cost prohibitive at this point.

But there is a part of me that likes what you are thinking.

 

[OldSchool]

Teams are going to come for Baker this offseason. My question for the cap knowledgeable posters here is what are our options to try to extract value out of his departure. Assuming he gets the kind of offers that means we aren't going to be able to keep him.

Also and btw... Nobody likes this concept but if McVay gets comfortable with Baker running this offense it is not a stretch for him to think "this guy is a lot younger than Stafford." So IF Baker keeps playing and developing how he has so far the age alone is reason to clear Stafford out and make room for him to be our starter. I know, I know. Blasphemy right. But Stafford's age and elbow are real concerns that Mayfield does not have.

Telling you right now there is a chance we see some crazy fucking moves this offseason.

A team could get desperate and throw the bank at him but I'd wager he gets at minimum a deal like the Saints gave Winston which was what 2 for $28 million? Maybe more like what Bridgewater got a couple years ago averaging $21 million.

 

[OldSchool]

I believe this may have already been hashed out but moving on from Stafford is cost prohibitive at this point.

But there is a part of me that likes what you are thinking.

Only works if he retires and we recoup his paid signing bonus not earned.

 

[Merlin]

Are we sure a team out there wouldn't be willing to pay a portion of that salary hit though. Teams are desperate for starters man.

If for example we went with Baker next year (due to his youth and lack of elbow concerns, as shitty as I realize that is) there are teams like the Jets or Dolphins who look like different teams with Stafford behind center.

 

[OldSchool]

We eat his signing bonus which is $48 million left. Any team signing him inherits the other bonuses. Retirement is the only way we don't eat a ton of cap.

 

[OregonRamsFan]

Baker looks amazing. He throws such a catchable ball. Only four incompletions? Wow. If there is any way to sign him next year I’d be very happy.

 

[jrry32]

I hope Baker doesn't try to pursue a starting job and land himself in another shit situation. The kid has talent. But he needs to grow. Put him in the right scheme with the right coach, and he can reinvent himself. This is the sort of spot that offers him that if he's willing to accept being a backup for a year or two.

 

[jrry32]

Teams are going to come for Baker this offseason. My question for the cap knowledgeable posters here is what are our options to try to extract value out of his departure. Assuming he gets the kind of offers that means we aren't going to be able to keep him.

Also and btw... Nobody likes this concept but if McVay gets comfortable with Baker running this offense it is not a stretch for him to think "this guy is a lot younger than Stafford." So IF Baker keeps playing and developing how he has so far the age alone is reason to clear Stafford out and make room for him to be our starter. I know, I know. Blasphemy right. But Stafford's age and elbow are real concerns that Mayfield does not have.

Telling you right now there is a chance we see some crazy fucking moves this offseason.

Baker could net us a comp pick if he walks. That's the only real way we extract value.

Only works if he retires and we recoup his paid signing bonus not earned.

There is a way to make it work. We agree to the trade, but we don't officially trade Stafford until after June 1st. If that happens, we don't eat the full $48 million in 2023. We eat $12 million in 2023 (saving us cap space) and then $36 million in 2024 (saving us cap space). However, that would require Stafford agreeing to delay his option bonus (assuming it's paid before June 2023) until after June 1. So we'd need his full cooperation, which makes all of this unlikely.

 

[OregonRamsFan]

I hope Baker doesn't try to pursue a starting job and land himself in another shit situation. The kid has talent. But he needs to grow. Put him in the right scheme with the right coach, and he can reinvent himself. This is the sort of spot that offers him that if he's willing to accept being a backup for a year or two.

I totally agree. I had mentioned something pretty close to that earlier. I think he is right where he needs to be. But he needs to be patient with the Rams. They are his best shot at success IMO.

 

[payote75]

Teams are going to come for Baker this offseason. My question for the cap knowledgeable posters here is what are our options to try to extract value out of his departure. Assuming he gets the kind of offers that means we aren't going to be able to keep him.

Also and btw... Nobody likes this concept but if McVay gets comfortable with Baker running this offense it is not a stretch for him to think "this guy is a lot younger than Stafford." So IF Baker keeps playing and developing how he has so far the age alone is reason to clear Stafford out and make room for him to be our starter. I know, I know. Blasphemy right. But Stafford's age and elbow are real concerns that Mayfield does not have.

Telling you right now there is a chance we see some crazy fucking moves this offseason.

Love you Merlin and Merry Christmas btw but crazy moves yes but no way in hell he turns on Stafford. I believe mcvay now understands the value of a quality back up but I think resigning a certain few of ours and focusing in on the o-line and an edge is the list to me. Other teams may come knocking but it's will ultimately be up to Baker as to what he prefers. Yes the bag which I don't see anyone offering a bag but happiness is also crucial he does seem at peace and humbled and the other teams won't have LA or Mcvay so this will be fascinating but I definitely don't think he turns on Stafford.

 

[payote75]

Stafford isn't going anywhere I believe it's a moot point unless he retires. Baker should stay but I'm curious to see how this pans out I'm also curious what reaction he would give if the rams broached the topic RT now.

 

[Merlin]

Love you Merlin and Merry Christmas btw but crazy moves yes but no way in hell he turns on Stafford.

McVay is a wolf in sheep's clothing Payote. He's a stone cold killer. Look at the things he's done in his first five years. When it comes to winning and making the team better there is nothing he would not do. There is nobody he would not make that hard call on.

You may be right of course. I'm just throwing it out there because Mayfield looks like a perfect scheme fit and he doesn't have the injury and age concerns that Stafford carries. We let Mayfield walk out that door and the next hit might be Stafford punching out. I think this conversation needs to be had among us, and I think McVay is thinking about it right now.

 

[payote75]

McVay is a wolf in sheep's clothing Payote. He's a stone cold killer. Look at the things he's done in his first five years. When it comes to winning and making the team better there is nothing he would not do. There is nobody he would not make that hard call on.

You may be right of course. I'm just throwing it out there because Mayfield looks like a perfect scheme fit and he doesn't have the injury and age concerns that Stafford carries. We let Mayfield walk out that door and the next hit might be Stafford punching out. I think this conversation needs to be had among us, and I think McVay is thinking about it right now.

I so agree with wolf part I've said that often no fear when having to cut the cord. I also think any qb that has ability can flourish in a mcvay system we just don't know if Baker has that other level that Stafford showed so this is no slight on Goff wt so ever but I'm sure he doesn't want to go back to that type of situation again. He knows what he has in Stafford and maybe thinks he can coax it out of Baker but not like this and not right now I do think his career is tied to the core 4 or core 2 it's debatable who the core 2 would be. We assume AD but we also know AD may be gone in 2 years or less. I hear you and I want baker to stay badly but I can't see it at the expense of Stafford