Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Bryce Young

Monday, May 5, 2:25 PM

The Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford finally finalized terms on his new deal for the 2025 season, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Stafford will earn $44 million this year, with $4 million already paid and the other $40 million fully guaranteed. The Rams were exploring the possibility of trading Stafford this offseason, but instead the two sides worked something out to keep him in L.A. for at least one more season. The 37-year-old two-time Pro Bowler threw for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 16 regular-season starts but had the Rams peaking in the postseason, and they almost pulled off the upset over the eventual Super Bowl-champion Eagles in the playoffs. Although Stafford makes the Rams a Super Bowl contender and he was much better down the stretch, he wasn't even a top-15 fantasy QB in 2024. Consider him as no more than a midrange QB2 in fantasy.

Saturday, June 28, 11:07 AM

The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has shown an increased comfort level in his second year in head coach Dave Canales' offensive system, especially when he carved up the first-team defense in the red zone during minicamp. Young's intensity also caught the eyes and ears of media members this offseason. Pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney said that Young needed to play with more energy last year, and the former first overall pick has engaged in trash-talk sessions with cornerback Jaycee Horn. The 23-year-old was pretty bad in his first year and a half, but he looked different down the stretch in 2024 after being benched and threw seven TDs and no picks in his final three games. He's going to need to improve his accuracy and decision-making to take the next step in Year 3, but Young at least showed some signs to give fantasy managers hope that he can be a solid QB2 with upside.