Los Angeles Rams

Liam Coen is leaving his gig as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams to go back to the University of Kentucky.

Per ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Coen is taking the same position with the Wildcats on head coach Mark Stoops' staff.

Mortensen noted Coen helped assists in Baker Mayfield's rushed preparation for the Rams' game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night. Mayfield didn't officially join the team until Tuesday when he was claimed off waivers.

Despite the short week and quick turnaround time, Mayfield took over at quarterback for the Rams' second offensive possession of the game. He turned in one of his best performances of the season, finishing 22-of-35 for 230 yards and one touchdown.

The touchdown pass was a 23-yard toss to Van Jefferson with nine seconds remaining that gave Los Angeles a 17-16 victory.

Thursday's win snapped a six-game losing streak for the defending Super Bowl champions.

Coen returns to Kentucky after leaving the program following the 2021 season. He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Wildcats during his first stint.

Stoops fired Rich Scangarello as offensive coordinator on Nov. 29 after one season with the Wildcats. Their 22.1 points per game ranked 106th out of 131 FBS programs.

This marks the sixth time in Stoops' 10 seasons as Kentucky head coach he has made a change at offensive coordinator.

Kentucky's offense ranked 36th in the nation with 32.3 points per game with Coen as coordinator in 2021.

Rams head coach Sean McVay brought Coen back to the NFL after Kevin O'Connell, the team's offensive coordinator from 2020-21, was hired as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

This was Coen's second run with the Rams. He was originally hired by McVay in 2018 as assistant wide receivers coach. The 37-year-old served in that role for two seasons before being taking over as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2020.

Fans weren't the only ones baffled by the Las Vegas Raiders' defensive play-calling at the end of Thursday's 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield told reporters after the game he was "completely shocked" when the Raiders cornerbacks lined up in press coverage on his touchdown pass to Van Jefferson with nine seconds remaining.

OMG. TOUCHDOWN RAMS!#LVvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/m65o43ZLpv pic.twitter.com/lpAk8bVIJ6

— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2022

The touchdown capped off an eight-play, 98-yard drive that began with 1:45 left in regulation.

There is a defense of Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham's decision to play the cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage. Jamming the receivers at the snap could have disrupted the timing, allowing the pass rush to get home against a Rams offensive line that has been suspect all season.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, Sam Webb didn't do anything to disrupt Jefferson's route and Mayfield dropped a dime for the touchdown.

Another problem with Graham's call is the Rams were out of timeouts. They were either going to take a shot to the end zone or a quick out to the sideline that would get them closer and stop the clock to run another play.

If the Raiders guarded the sideline and kept everything in front of the end zone, they probably would have won.

While the Raiders will once again look back on blowing another double-digit lead, Mayfield and the Rams get to celebrate something positive for what feels like the first time all season.

The Rams entered Thursday having lost six consecutive games. Mayfield wasn't even on the roster until Tuesday when he was claimed off waivers. He finished 22-of-35 with 230 yards and one touchdown.

Baker Mayfield joined the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday. By Thursday, he was a hero.

Against all odds, Mayfield led the Rams on a 98-yard, game-winning touchdown drive—in a minute and 35 seconds with zero timeouts—to catapult them to a shocking 17-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

This TD from @bakermayfield ➡️ @VanJefferson12!

📺 @NFLonPrime | 📲 https://t.co/4beUdmlymg pic.twitter.com/xska07A2VD

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 9, 2022

.@bakermayfield’s been on the team for two days.#LVvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/m65o43ZLpv pic.twitter.com/IBLV37Ufgh

— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2022

Baker throws a strike on 3rd & 13 🎯#LVvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/m65o43ZLpv pic.twitter.com/QffBAxFzMS

— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2022

Mayfield finished 22-of-35 for 230 yards and one touchdown with zero interceptions. He was sacked four times.

And NFL Twitter was beside itself:

Joining the team on Tuesday and winning a game on Thursday at the quarterback position is absolutely incredible.

There are some positions that you can plug into a new team/system somewhat easily. QB has to be by far the hardest.

Damn impressive Baker.

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 9, 2022

Truly unbelievable performance by Baker Mayfield. Just led a 98-yard game-winning drive in his 56th hour as a Ram.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) December 9, 2022

There’s no reason the Rams should have won tonight. A remarkable performance by Baker Mayfield. So damn impressive.

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) December 9, 2022

Words I thought I’d never tweet: That was a simply inspiring performance by Baker Mayfield. Incredible.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) December 9, 2022

@bakermayfield MY BOY HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS🥶🥶🥶🥶

— timthetatman👑 (@timthetatman) December 9, 2022

#MoxieMayfield is BACK

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) December 9, 2022

Baker ain't even unpacked his toiletry bag in his bathroom yet and just embarrassed the Raiders on a 98 yard drive to win the game.

— Justin Tinsley (@JustinTinsley) December 9, 2022

Baker Mayfield…how?

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 9, 2022

Just think about how weird this was:

I want to see how far this Baker logic stretches. Wake him up early Sunday morning and tell him he has to start for the Texans in a few hours.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 9, 2022

Baker Mayfield arrived in LA two days ago and is running a hurry-up offense. He hasn't been perfect tonight, but impressive in moments.

— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) December 9, 2022

Sean McVay has Baker Mayfield reading T.S. Eliot's The Wasteland for a three yard gain on second down https://t.co/6qOzuFDzbV

— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 9, 2022

#Rams Baker Mayfield and Sean McVay (kneeling in front of the bench) have been in non-stop communication throughout these defensive possessions.

You can only imagine how much "on-the-go learning" is happening for Mayfield right now between him and this playbook.

— Kayla Burton (@Kay_Breezy22) December 9, 2022

There aren't many times in professional sports when coaches, fans or pundits willingly settle on "well, they tried their best" as a satisfactory evaluation of a performance. These athletes are paid millions of dollars to win. Wherever you fall on the contrived "performance trophy" debate, they most certainly aren't handed out in the NFL.

But in this case, given the circumstances, "well, he tried his best" would have sufficed. Had the Rams lost, nobody would have blamed Mayfield.

Instead...heroics. Magical, hardly believable heroics.

Mayfield didn't just save the Rams; he saved the viewing experience for everyone else. This was not an aesthetically pleasing football game for 58 minutes. Mayfield's counterpart, Derek Carr (11-of-20 for 137 yards and zero touchdowns with two interceptions), didn't exactly raise the collective understanding of what peak quarterbacking could be.

But in those final two minutes, Mayfield provided us with a far more compelling story. It's been a struggle for him over the past two years, but he reminded us of the potential that made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2018.

It may be a blip in an otherwise disappointing season for Mayfield and his team for the past two days. But it certainly was a memorable one.

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner won't face criminal charges for tackling a fan who ran onto the field during a game against the San Francisco 49ers.

A spokesperson for the Santa Clara Police Department told TMZ Sports that no charges were being filed with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office following an investigation.

The incident occurred in the first half of San Francisco's 24-9 win over the Rams on Oct. 3. Alexander Taylor ran on the field with a smoke bomb as part of an animal rights protest.

Wagner tackled Taylor, who was taken away by security guards. Taylor filed a police report Oct. 4 saying he suffered multiple injuries, including a concussion, as a result of being tackled by Wagner.

A spokesperson for Direct Action Everywhere, the animal rights organization Taylor was representing, told TMZ a police report was filed because a "blatant assault" took place.

"I'm aware of it," Wagner told reporters when the police report was filed. "[But] I'm more concerned about the security guard who got hurt trying to chase him."

Wagner is in his first season with the Rams after signing a five-year contract in March. He has started all 12 games in 2022 and has tied a career high with five sacks.

It might not take long for the Los Angeles Rams to turn to Baker Mayfield.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the quarterback is expected to be on the active roster for Thursday's contest against the Las Vegas Raiders with a "real chance" he takes the field. Whether Mayfield, who joined the team Tuesday, plays "will depend in part on how John Wolford (questionable, neck) is feeling."

It is a testament to just how dire the Rams' quarterback situation is at this point that Mayfield may take the field just days after joining the team ahead of a Week 14 game.

Head coach Sean McVay told reporters "there's a good chance" Matthew Stafford will not play again this season after suffering a spinal cord contusion. He last played during a Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

The Rams have since turned to Wolford and Bryce Perkins during losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.

Los Angeles may be the reigning Super Bowl champions, but it has lost six in a row and is an ugly 3-9 on the campaign. Making matters worse is the fact its first-round pick goes to the Detroit Lions, so it won't even benefit long-term from such a disappointing season.

Things haven't gone according to plan for Mayfield this season either.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft has completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions in seven games, and he was available because the Carolina Panthers released him.

Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported he asked to be released when the team informed him he was going to be third on the depth chart behind Sam Darnold and PJ Walker.

Consistency has not been a hallmark of Mayfield's career, but he did throw 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions in 2020 for the Cleveland Browns and has a much more established track record than Wolford and Perkins.

There isn't much for the Rams to lose at this point, and they may see what they have in the Oklahoma product as soon as Thursday.

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay says the team is not concerned with how Baker Mayfield will fit in the remainder of this season.

"As far as him, there are no concerns," McVay told reporters Wednesday.

The Rams claimed Mayfield off waivers from the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday. McVay has not ruled out the 2018 No. 1 overall pick playing in Thursday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, noting he's leaning toward Mayfield being active.

It would be unorthodox for any quarterback to take snaps just two days after being signed by a team, but the Rams are in an unenviable position at quarterback. John Wolford and Bryce Perkins have started the team's last two games to little success; it would be hard to imagine Mayfield being much worse.

That said, you could argue the Rams would be setting up Mayfield for failure by playing him before he's had time to get acclimated to the offensive system. Anyone would struggle to memorize the Rams playbook on such short notice, even in small packages.

The more logical scenario would see Mayfield acting as a sort of emergency quarterback in case of injuries before taking over as the starter in Week 15.

The Rams' title defense has already gone up in smoke, as the team sits 3-9 amid a rash of injuries to star players. Mayfield getting an extended look in what amounts to the season's garbage time makes some sense—just not Thursday.

Despite speculation to the contrary, quarterback Baker Mayfield was reportedly a model teammate during his time with the Carolina Panthers.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Panthers felt Mayfield showed "great maturity" when he was demoted to the backup role behind PJ Walker and Sam Darnold and that he was not a "difficult teammate."

Furthermore, the Panthers reportedly believe Mayfield "accepted his role" and "didn't make any waves" despite the demotion.

Per ESPN's David Newton, Panthers head coach Steve Wilks said Monday that Mayfield requested his release and was granted it. The former Cleveland Browns signal-caller was subsequently claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams.

The Cleveland Browns originally made Mayfield the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, and while he had his moments, such as finishing second in the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting and leading the Browns to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 in 2020, he ultimately flamed out.

Mayfield played with an injured non-throwing shoulder for much of the 2021 season, and he struggled to the tune of a 6-8 record, 3,010 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 14 games.

The Browns decided to move on from Mayfield, trading a bounty of draft picks to the Houston Texans for quarterback Deshaun Watson, despite the fact that Watson had been accused of sexual assault or misconduct by 25 female massage therapists.

That spelled the end of Mayfield's tenure in Cleveland, with Jason Lloyd of The Athletic later reporting that he was viewed as "childish and immature" within the Browns organization.

After missing out on other opportunities to upgrade the quarterback position, the Panthers acquired Mayfield from the Browns prior to the start of the 2022 regular season in hopes that he could take the reins from Darnold.

Mayfield was named the Browns starter for Week 1 and went on to make six starts overall, but he struggled mightily with a 1-5 record. He also completed just 57.8 percent of his passes for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions for a Panthers team that fired head coach Matt Rhule.

The offense was so stagnant with Mayfield at the helm that the Panthers made the switch to an NFL journeyman and former XFL star in Walker until Darnold returned from injury.

L.A. could represent one of Mayfield's final NFL opportunities, particularly as a starter, provided he gets a chance to start down the stretch.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford is on injured reserve with a neck injury and presumed out for the remainder of the season, leaving the Rams with John Wolford and Bryce Perkins under center before they claimed Mayfield.

It has been a rough season for the Rams, but they are the reigning Super Bowl champions, and Mayfield could build up plenty of goodwill around the league with positive reports out of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Rams might have achieved two goals when they claimed veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield off waivers Tuesday.

The reigning Super Bowl champions now have another option under center with Matthew Stafford still on injured reserve and John Wolford battling a neck injury.

Los Angeles also ensured Mayfield didn't land with the San Francisco 49ers, who have to lean on Brock Purdy as their starter with Jimmy Garoppolo out for potentially 7-8 weeks because of a Lisfranc injury, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Social media applauded the gamesmanship by Rams general manager Les Snead.

The Rams claiming Baker so the 49ers couldn't is the division-rival pettiness you love to see. https://t.co/v0mKPFng76

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) December 6, 2022

Just to be jerks to the arch-rival Niners?
I hope so!
This kinda petty behavior > swapping jerseys at midfield https://t.co/yuYbKRqVxH

— Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) December 6, 2022

Yanno, after watching Bryce Perkins and John Wolford the last two weeks, I certainly understand why Sean McVay said let’s try the Baker thing. https://t.co/Ja3IXRqBtn

— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) December 6, 2022

Just blocking the Niners... https://t.co/5mVoxYvG3n

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) December 6, 2022

Rams really blocked the 49ers from getting Baker Mayfield.

This timeline is so hilarious.

— Vincent Frank (@VincentFrankNFL) December 6, 2022

the Rams being the team to claim Baker instead of the 49ers is my Super Bowl.

— James Brady (@jamesbradyisme) December 6, 2022

Schefter threw a bit of a wet blanket on the discourse, though, when he reported the Niners didn't place a waiver claim on Mayfield.

Some also wondered whether San Francisco was the one playing three-dimensional chess.

Pretending that Jimmy was out for the year to trick McVay into employing Baker >>>>> https://t.co/O7PRYLVl8u

— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) December 6, 2022

CMC seeing that the Niners didn't get Baker Mayfield pic.twitter.com/DtYyH34NZa

— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) December 6, 2022

Rams keep helping the 49ers season

— Tim Baysinger (@tim_bays) December 6, 2022

Nick Bosa pissed ...

... that the 49ers already have played the Rams twice. https://t.co/LRK4b7Kj6g

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 6, 2022

At 3-9, the Rams haven't been mathematically eliminated from the playoff race, but their quest for the postseason is effectively over.

Playing the role of spoiler and helping to deny the Niners an NFC West title provides Los Angeles with what little satisfaction it can take from a disappointing season.

Baker Mayfield will look to reignite his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams after they claimed him off waivers on Tuesday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Mayfield might suit up for the team as early as Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Schefter reported that the San Francisco 49ers did not put in a claim for Mayfield despite losing Jimmy Garoppolo to a foot injury on Sunday. The Rams were ahead of the 49ers in the waiver order, so the Niners wouldn't have gotten him even if they had put in a claim.

The 27-year-old didn't make it a full year with the Carolina Panthers, which acquired him from the Cleveland Browns prior to the start of the 2022 season. They announced on Monday they had released the 2018 No. 1 overall pick.

It continued Mayfield's precipitous fall. Within the space of three seasons, he went from helping the Browns reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002 to getting cut by one of the league's worst teams.

Throughout 2021, the Oklahoma product battled shoulder trouble that eventually required surgery. From Carolina's perspective, you could talk yourself into the idea of him rebounding now that he was fully healthy. His bitter divorce from Cleveland provided a clear motivator as well.

Not only did the bounce-back from the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner fail to materialize, but he also played worse than he ever had.

In seven appearances, Mayfield threw for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions and was on pace for career lows in completion percentage (57.8), quarterback rating (74.4) and QBR (18.3), per Pro Football Reference.

Equally as concerning, the shoulder surgery did little to help him be a more dynamic passer. His 5.6 adjusted yards per attempt were more than a full yard below his career average (6.9).

Shortly after Mayfield's release, former cornerback Richard Sherman offered a withering assessment of the signal-caller, arguing there wasn't a clear space for him elsewhere and that he'd probably get another chance largely because of where he was drafted.

Richard Sherman did not hold back on what he thinks about Baker Mayfield 😬 pic.twitter.com/gyOXBVoxGd

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 5, 2022

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported teams weren't exactly banging down Mayfield's door right now and may not be in the offseason:

Teams I've talked to say his days as an NFL starter could be numbered. But several teams could be completely starting over at quarterback, including the New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and New York Giants. There will be jobs available. But he's low on the free-agent pecking order.

Somebody was bound to sign him eventually because good backups aren't in abundance across the NFL. Kyle Allen, Brett Rypien, Bailey Zappe, Cooper Rush, Bryce Perkins and Skylar Thompson are among the understudies that have been pressed into starting duty for one reason or another in 2022.

When it comes to Mayfield, you don't want to pin your hopes to him as the full-time starter, but there could be worse alternatives in a pinch.

The Rams are a good fit because head coach Sean McVay might be able to get the best out of him. Perkins and John Wolford aren't impossible competition to overcome for the starting job, either, as Los Angeles continues to cope without an injured Matthew Stafford.

With Matthew Stafford likely out for the rest of the season and not wanting to let Baker Mayfield potentially go to a division rival, the Los Angeles Rams could be in the Mayfield sweepstakes.

Per Albert Breer of The MMQB, the Rams are "looking into" claiming Mayfield off waivers from the Carolina Panthers.

Breer noted the Rams are fourth in the waiver-priority order, behind the Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos.

The Panthers announced Monday they released Mayfield after he started just six games this season.

Per The Athletic's Jeff Howe, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick requested his release after the Panthers told him he was going to be the third-string quarterback behind Sam Darnold and PJ Walker.

Mayfield's release came in the wake of Jimmy Garoppolo and Lamar Jackson suffering injuries Sunday. Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Jackson is week-to-week with a knee injury.

Garoppolo suffered a season-ending foot injury in the San Francisco 49ers' 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins. Rookie Brock Purdy replaced Garoppolo and played well, finishing 25-of-37 with 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed to downplay the possibility of San Francisco putting in a waiver claim on Mayfield.

"I've always been a fan of his but feel real good with all our players," Shanahan told reporters Monday.

The loss of Garoppolo could have huge ramifications on the NFC playoff race. The 49ers have won five consecutive games and are the No. 3 seed in the NFC, but they only have a one-game lead over the Seattle Seahawks in the division.

San Francisco and Seattle will play at Lumen Field on Dec. 15.

The Rams have lost six consecutive games following a 3-3 start. Head coach Sean McVay said after Sunday's loss to the Seahawks that Stafford will likely miss the rest of the year recovering from a spinal cord contusion.

John Wolford and Bryce Perkins have started games under center for the Rams with Stafford out. Wolford finished 14-of-26 for 178 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions against Seattle.

Mayfield went 1-5 in starts for the Panthers this season. In seven appearances, he completed 57.8 percent of his pass attempts for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.