Baker Mayfield Current Contract and Team Situation
Baker Mayfield is currently on the Los Angeles Rams with a one-year deal worth up to $11.5 million for the 2025 season, with a base salary of $3.1 million and a $1.5 million signing bonus, according to OverTheCap. His cap hit for 2025 is $3.1 million, and he is slated to earn $11.5 million in total cash, with incentives tied to playing time and performance thresholds. The Rams acquired him in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in April 2025, giving up a 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2026 third-rounder to secure a quarterback who fits their short-term window.
Mayfield started 14 games in 2024 with the Browns, posting a 63.4% completion rate, 3,126 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while adding 286 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. His passer rating was 85.2, and he finished with a 7-7 record as a starter, which placed him 14th among qualifying quarterbacks in ESPN's total QBR. The Rams view him as a low-risk, high-upside option to complement Matthew Stafford and compete for playing time with rookie quarterback Jaden Daniels in training camp.
Dak Prescott Current Contract and Team Situation
Dak Prescott is under contract with the Dallas Cowboys through the 2028 season, having signed a four-year, $240 million extension in April 2021 that includes $160 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history by average annual value at $60 million per year. His 2025 cap hit is $49.1 million, with a base salary of $35 million and a $14.1 million roster bonus due in March 2025, according to Spotrac. The Cowboys have no quarterback-wide cap space flexibility, and Prescott's deal remains the largest commitment to any single player in league payroll.
Prescott started all 17 games in 2024, completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,515 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, while rushing for 348 yards and 3 touchdowns. He posted a 106.9 passer rating and a 7-10 record as a starter, which placed him 6th in the NFL in total QBR and 4th in EPA per play among qualifying quarterbacks. The Cowboys' offense ranked 10th in points per game and 14th in yards per play, with Prescott's play rate directly correlating to a 5.2% win probability added above replacement level, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Direct Comparison and Trade Value
Salary Cap and Financial Impact
Mayfield's $3.1 million cap hit in 2025 is roughly 6% of Prescott's $49.1 million cap number, creating a stark contrast in roster flexibility. The Rams can move Mayfield after 2025 with minimal dead money, while the Cowboys face over $40 million in dead cap if they cut Prescott before June 1, 2026, according to OverTheCap. Prescott's contract is structured with $10 million in voidable years after 2028, which could reduce the Cowboys' long-term obligation if performance declines, whereas Mayfield's deal has no such protections for the Rams.
Performance Metrics and Market Value
Prescott's 2024 Pro