Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Baker Mayfield, Van Jefferson had interesting connection before QB joined Rams

Baker Mayfield's and Van Jefferson's relationship has an interesting backstory.

Just two days after being claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield came off the bench early during the team's "Thursday Night Football" game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14. After some highs and lows throughout the contest, Mayfield helped lead a 98-yard, game-winning drive in the final 1:41 of regulation to give the Rams a stunning 17-16 victory.

The former No. 1 overall pick found Jefferson in the end zone for the win with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Mayfield finished the night 22-for-35 for 230 passing yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions.

The former Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers signal-caller played one season at Texas Tech and then played three years at the University of Oklahoma from 2015 to 2017, winning the Heisman Trophy during his senior season. Jefferson spent three seasons at Ole Miss from 2015 to 2017 and finished his college career with two years at Florida in 2018 and 2019.

The 26-year-old wideout was selected by the Rams in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and was second on the team in targets (89), receiving yards (802), and touchdowns (six) in 2021, finishing behind only All-Pro Cooper Kupp. With Kupp now injured, Jefferson has taken on a bigger role in recent weeks, scoring touchdowns in three of the last five games.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness
Even Mike Budenholzer admits the Suns need a point guard
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa lead at PGA Championship
Knicks could get major boost for Game 7 showdown with Pacers
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Panthers star named winner of 2024 Selke Trophy
WNBA to investigate $100,000 sponsorship deals for Aces players
Tiger Woods blames one big factor for missing the cut at PGA Championship
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Blue Jays GM wants struggling club to feel 'massive sense of urgency'
Raptors expected to flip former NBA champion during the offseason
MLB insider reveals Mets' massive extension offer that Pete Alonso turned down
Celtics legend provides update after gruesome finger injury

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.