With injuries continuing to mount and a former No. 1 draft pick available, the Los Angeles Rams shook things up on Tuesday by claiming quarterback Baker Mayfield off of waivers.

The Rams' 2022 season has been a disappointment following their storybook Super Bowl win last season. Mayfield, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 by the Cleveland Browns, was waived by the Carolina Panthers Monday. He's now expected to fill in for Matthew Stafford throughout the remainder of the season.

Stafford was placed on the injured reserve last week with a spinal cord contusion. His earliest possible return would be in Week 17, though Rams coach Sean McVay said "there's a good chance" the quarterback will not play again this season.

What does it all mean for Mayfield and the Rams? We dive into the biggest questions surrounding the quarterback's new digs.

1. Why did the Rams make this move when they are all but out of the playoff race?

The Rams needed another quarterback. With Stafford on injured reserve with a spinal cord contusion and likely out for the rest of the season, they were already leaning on backup John Wolford and third-string QB Bryce Perkins.

Wolford, who started the Rams' Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, was checked out several times by the team's medical staff during the game and listed on Monday's injury report with a neck injury.

Perkins has started one game in his career -- a Week 12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs -- and the Rams needed a more proven option.

Yes, the Rams are essentially eliminated from the playoff picture, but Los Angeles still has five games left and they need another healthy quarterback.

The Rams are also aware that if Mayfield signs with another team this offseason, they could receive a compensatory pick in return.