On Dec. 6, 2022, the Rams<\/a> claimed Mayfield off waivers from the Carolina Panthers to replace injured Matthew Stafford<\/a>. A few days later, he led the Rams to victory over the Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> on \u201cThursday Night Football.\u201d<\/p>\n That performance, one of five games Mayfield started to finish that historic Super Bowl-hangover season for the Rams, jump-started Mayfield\u2019s then-stalled career.<\/p>\n Share via Close extra sharing options <\/p>\n Gary Klein previews Sunday\u2019s game between the Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium.<\/p>\n In 2023, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him to a one-year contract, and he led them to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. In 2024, he signed a three-year contract that includes $55 million in guarantees and could be worth as much as $100 million, according to Overthecap.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n And on Sunday, he returns to SoFi Stadium to face a Rams team that is 8-2 and looks very much like a Super Bowl contender.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no way for me to sugarcoat it. … It was pivotal in my career and in my journey,\u201d Mayfield, speaking about his time with the Rams, told Tampa Bay reporters this week, adding, \u201cIt helped me find the fun in football again. … It was instrumental in my career, something I am forever grateful for, and it will be fun to go back and see some familiar faces.\u201d<\/p>\n During his short stint with the Rams, Mayfield brought \u201ca spark\u201d and displayed \u201cpretty impressive mental stamina\u201d to process and put into action so much information, Rams coach Sean McVay<\/a> said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one thing to absorb it, it\u2019s a totally different thing to be able to bring it to life when the enemy has a say,\u201d McVay said. \u201cIt was impressive. I think when you watch what he\u2019s done and who he is, I think it\u2019s probably more on par for what we expect of Baker than the outlier when you look at the totality of everything he\u2019s done.\u201d<\/p>\n Mayfield, 30, has passed for 17 touchdowns, with three interceptions this season for the Buccaneers (6-4), who lead the NFC South.<\/p>\n The game matches Mayfield, the top pick in the 2018 draft, against Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the top pick in 2009.<\/p>\n \u201cHis ability to come in and play pretty darn well on a shortened timeline was really awesome,\u201d Stafford said, adding, \u201cHe\u2019s been through a lot and came out on the other side playing about as good as ball as anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n The Rams are coming off a 21-19 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, a victory that extended their winning streak to five games and gave them sole possession of first place in the NFC West.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n