Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Baker Mayfield

Monday, March 3, 5:59 PM

By agreeing to a contract restructure last Friday with quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Los Angeles Rams were able to stay on year-to-year terms with the veteran signal-caller. The adjusted contract will be structured under his existing framework that runs through 2026, according to The Athletic's Jourdan Rodriguez. No new years were added, so both sides expect to revisit the matter again next offseason. The specific dollar amount of the adjusted contract are unknown, but Stafford surely receives a double-digit raise from the existing $27 million he was scheduled to be paid in 2025. "We're taking it a year at a time," head coach Sean McVay said. Rodrigue also adds that despite keeping Stafford for this year, the Rams will look to the future at the position. For fantasy purposes, although Stafford almost led L.A. to the NFC Championship, he should be considered a midrange QB2.

Thursday, April 3, 7:26 PM

Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reworked quarterback Baker Mayfield's contract to free up cap space. The Bucs converted Mayfield's $30 million base salary to a roster bonus, freeing up nearly $15 million. The team also added a void year for proration purposes in 2029. Tampa Bay has been resourceful this offseason, moving money around for Mayfield in addition to offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. All in all, the Buccos saved $50.12 million over the next few seasons. It seems unlikely that the money moves are in anticipation of signing a big-ticket asset and more so for down the road. Mayfield is entering his third season with the squad and will look to build off his spectacular 2024.