Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Baker Mayfield

Friday, July 25, 5:31 PM

The Los Angeles Rams will hold their first padded training camp practice on Monday, ESPN's Sarah Barshop reports, and quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) is expected to participate. Stafford has been dealing with a sore back early in camp and has been working off to the side with trainers so far. While this certainly bears watching for the 37-year-old veteran as we get closer to the regular season, it doesn't quite sound like anything too serious just yet. The Rams are most likely taking extra precaution with the star QB early in camp after signing him to a two-year, $80 million contract extension in the offseason. Stafford lost receiver Cooper Kupp this offseason but gained Davante Adams, and he of course still has young stud Puca Nacua. Injuries and a lack of rushing ability give Stafford little room for error in the fantasy realm, though, making him a low-end QB2.

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.