Now that Kyler Murray is out with an ACL tear, and probably out for much of next season...
Doesn't it make sense for the Cardinals to sign Baker Mayfield to a one year deal?
I don't think that the Rams are gonna keep Mayfield. They're sold on Stafford for the next few years, and Mayfield doesn't seem like the guy you want as a backup.
That said, Mayfield is a guy who can do the job; but, he has to know, at this point, that he's rebuilding his reputation. He'll take less money. Kyler Murray is still on his rookie scale contract next year; so, the Cardinals can afford Mayfield.
Also, Murray and Mayfield are best friends anyway. Yeah, if there's any sense of competition for the job, that could create a rift. That said, I think that it makes sense, if handled properly. Assure Kyler Murray that he's still the guy when he's ready to go. Only sign Mayfield to a one year contract -- that way, he's getting a better deal than Mitchell Trubisky got last year in buffalo -- he knows he'll get plenty of playing time and show off what he can do in a different system.
If, by some miracle, Murray is ready to go before the trade deadline, the Cardinals can trade Mayfield, potentially for a good draft pick or a lineman if he plays well; or, they can cut him without a cap penalty.
If Murray isn't ready before the trade deadline, the Cardinals ride out the season with Mayfield. If Mayfield doesn't perform well, the Cardinals just let him go. If he does perform well, that's actually the most complicated scenario, because that could create a massive quarterback controversy.
Still, this is the best way that I can see the Cardinals going if they don't want 2023 to be a lost season.