Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or C.J. Stroud

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.

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.