Who Should I Start? Baker Mayfield or C.J. Stroud

Friday, July 25, 3:58 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht told The Athletic that he is eyeing an extension "when the time is right" for quarterback Baker Mayfield, and hopes that Mayfield "continues to be our quarterback for a long time." The 30-year-old Mayfield still has two years remaining on his current contract, but he's coming off the best season of his career in 2024. In 17 games, he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, chipping in 378 yards and three touchdowns as a rusher for good measure. Mayfield has an excellent supporting cast of receivers to work with in Tampa Bay between Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan. While he may see some touchdown regression in 2025, Mayfield is a good bet to rack up passing yards and provide solid back-end QB1 play in fantasy.

Wednesday, July 16, 2:47 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had a sophomore slump following his fantastic rookie season in 2023 out of Ohio State. After throwing for more than 4,100 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 games in Year 1, he regressed to just over 3,700 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 picks in Year 2. Entering 2025 in what could set him up for a lucrative contract extension, Stroud has trained hard to improve his physical fitness. "I've been working really hard on getting my body right -- losing body fat, trying to be faster, stronger," Stroud said. "And it went really well. ... [Working] pocket mobility, running out the pocket, throwing the rock. Everything kind of works hand in hand." Last season, Houston's offensive line struggled mightily, and Stroud was sacked 63 times, good for the second-most in the NFL behind only Caleb Williams (68). The offensive line could remain an issue after the team traded away franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil, but sacks are often largely a quarterback stat, too. If Stroud can become more dynamic operating inside and outside of the pocket, it could create more downfield opportunities for pass-catchers Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, and Jayden Higgins, among others.