Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Jarrett Stidham


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
24.0 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Matthew Stafford News

Matthew Stafford Remains a QB1 Despite Lack of Rushing Upside

Friday, August 28, 7:44 PM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming off a top-three finish in fantasy football, and he should remain a strong QB1 option as long as he has Puka Nacua and Davante Adams at his disposal. Now 38, Stafford has shown no signs of slowing down. He won the league MVP award last year with 4,707 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, and eight interceptions to his name. His lack of rushing ability may prevent him from being the overall QB1, but he certainly has a chance to replicate last year's QB3 mark. One factor to consider is a potential suspension to Puka Nacua, which could sideline him for one or multiple games. However, in the one game that Nacua missed last year, Stafford threw for five touchdowns. In the end, we're not overly concerned about his fantasy outlook if Nacua (or Davante Adams, for that matter) has a short-term absence. He's somewhat of a steal at his current ADP of 104.9, which makes him the 12th quarterback off the board in fantasy drafts.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Jarrett Stidham News

Jarrett Stidham to be the Broncos' Backup QB

Wednesday, September 2, 6:10 PM

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham will open the 2026 season as the team's backup to starter Bo Nix, head coach Sean Payton told Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. There was some speculation that Sam Ehlinger could push Stidham for the backup gig this summer in training camp, but the 30-year-old Stidham eventually won the job and will hold the clipboard for Nix and the Broncos' offense on the sideline. The former fourth-rounder by the New England Patriots in the 2019 NFL draft out of Auburn has only appeared in three regular-season games (two starts) in his three years in Denver, throwing for 496 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His biggest opportunity came in last year's postseason, when he had a chance to send the Broncos to the Super Bowl with a win over the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. Stidham failed that test, throwing for 133 yards, one TD, and one pick, although conditions were nearly impossible for throwing the football in a second-half blizzard. If Nix goes down with another injury in 2026, Stidham will be the next man up at the all-important QB position in Colorado.


Matthew Stafford vs. Jarrett Stidham

Still trying to decide between Stafford and Stidham? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Matthew Stafford is projected to score 24.0 points this week while Jarrett Stidham is projected to score 1.1 points.