Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2023 NFL quarterback analysis: Los Angeles Rams

By Alex Lang | Last updated Jan 19, 2023 6:43 PM ET

Current starter: Matthew Stafford | Current backups: Baker Mayfield, John Wolford, Bryce Perkins

State of the position: Fresh off a Super Bowl title, Stafford regressed, throwing for 10 TDs to eight interceptions and posting an average 50.5 QBR. He was shut down after nine games with a spinal cord contusion. Stafford twice spent time in the concussion protocol.

Some speculated he was headed to retirement, but Stafford shut down that talk earlier this month.

Matthew Stafford confirms he’s coming back for 2023, and he anticipates a healthy offseason: “I feel really good about where I’m at.”

Sean McVay’s decision on his future won’t impact Stafford, he says. Stafford is coming back to the Rams either way. pic.twitter.com/qQXvRGMz7Q
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) January 9, 2023

Mayfield, who was claimed off waivers after his stint in Carolina, led the Rams to a 2-3 record in the final five games. He had four TD passes to two picks.

Who can forget his epic, 98-yard touchdown drive in the final minute against Las Vegas?

Baker Mayfield got to Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

He just led the Rams on a 98 yard game-winning drive to beat the Raiders.

48 hours after joining the team.

Unfathomable. pic.twitter.com/INGGif7i5Y
— TJ Eckert (@TJEckertKTUL) December 9, 2022

But, alas, Mayfield struggled in the final two games, posting a sub-30 QBR in each game. He views himself as a starter and might draw interest from the Bucs if Tom Brady moves on or retires.

"I'm not going to just go chase a check to go start and play," Mayfield said, per ESPN.com. "After seeing a place that makes me have fun playing football again, it's going to be hard to try something else new, but obviously it's going to be a big-time decision."

Key stat: Stafford posted an 87.4 passer rating, the lowest since his 2014 season with Detroit.

2023 QB forecast: While head coach Sean McVay flirted with stepping away, he also said he would return. That should help Stafford return to his 2021 form, when he had 41 touchdown passes and 4,886 yards passing.

Alex Lang

Alex Lang is a long-time editor and reporter who has worked in Detroit, Iowa, West Virginia, South Carolina and New York. He has covered NCAA tournaments, college football events and local sports. When he isn’t writing and editing, he can usually be found watching Detroit sports or University of Iowa athletics.

More must-reads: