Baker Mayfield's time with the Panthers came to an end on Monday.Carolina announced that it was waiving the fifth-year quarterback le s than Jeremiah Martin Jersey six months after the team acquired him in a trade with the Browns.Mayfield reportedly asked to be released after falling to the third-string position on the Panthers' depth chart. Carolina was happy to grant that request though the coaching staff was complimentary of the quarterback's effort on his way out the door."Baker Mayfield has been a complete pro," interim coach Steve Wilks said, . "Nothing but respect for him. This is a tough decision but I felt like it was the best decision for the team going forward We wanted to give him an opportunity to seek whatever was best for him."MORE: Mayfield took that opportunity and became available as part of the NFL's ever-turning quarterback market.That said, Mayfield's availability was unique compared to some other veteran quarterbacks that were released. Mayfield was on waivers, so any team that wanted his services had to claim him.Simple enough, right? Yes, but any team that planned to claim Mayfield would also retain the rest of his contract. As such, it was unclear exactly how interested teams would be in claiming him.Turns out, it wasn't all that cost-prohibitive. The Rams who had the No. 4 waiver priority claimed Mayfield, and now they will be responsible for paying him the rest of the season.Here's a look at Mayfield's contract, what he is owed and what could come next for the former Panthers quarterback. Kyrie Irving Jersey IYER: Mayfield's contract is not as expensive as many realize. The veteran quarterback is making$15,358,000for the season, per , but he isowed just$4,858,000from the Panthers for the 2022 season. The Browns are eating$10.5 millionin dead money guaranteed salary paid to players no longer on a team's roster after trading Mayfield to the Panthers.Mayfield is in the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, and the entirety of the 2022 salary is guaranteed. The Panthers were set to pay it unle s Mayfield landed with another team.Since the Rams claimed Mayfield off waivers, they are taking on the rest of his salary for this season. That amounts to$1,349,444, per NFL Network's Tom Peli sero.Any team claiming Baker Mayfield on waivers would a sume the remaining $1,349,444 guaranteed on his contract. That could influence how things go on Chris Chiozza Jersey waivers. The are near the bottom of the priority list. Tom Peli sero (@TomPeli sero) That's not nece sarilycheapfor a backup quarterback at this point in the season. Still, the Rams needed some help at the position with Matthew Stafford (concu sion) on IR and John Wolford (neck) questionable for "Thursday Night Football" in Week 14, so it makes sense that they would be willing to pay him.The Panthers are certainly happy with that result. Why? Because the $1.35 million owed to Mayfield now comes off their books.MORE:Mayfield will not be a free agent after being claimed by the Rams. He was scheduled to become oneat 4 Buck Williams Jersey p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 6 24 hours after he initially hit waivers at 4 p.m. ET on Monday before the Rams scooped him up.Mayfield was subject to waivers, as all NFL players are after the trade deadline pa ses. Normally, vested veterans NFL players with four-plus accrued seasons of experience under their belts aresubject to the waiver proce s. However, the NFL changed this .So, the timing of Mayfield's release meant he wasn't able to immediately choose his next team. Instead, he had to wait an anxious 24 hours to see if any team was willing to pay him his current contract.The Rams were willing to do that. So now, he will play for Los Keven Durant Jersey Angeles for the rest of the season.And after the season, Mayfield's contract will expire. At that point, he will become a free agent and will get to choose where he plays for the first time in his NFL career.