Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Sam Darnold

Monday, February 2, 12:32 PM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) will not require offseason surgery for a herniated disc in his back, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Stafford's availability for the start of the 2025 season was in question due to his back injury, but not only was he ready, but he played at an MVP level, throwing for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions in the regular season. It was something that the Rams managed throughout the year. The 37-year-old veteran is still on the fence about his playing future, but he's leaning towards returning for an 18th NFL campaign in 2026. If Stafford does return, he'll have QB1 expectations from fantasy managers with both receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams returning. However, there will also be considerable injury risk for a player at his age near the tail end of his career.

Friday, January 30, 2:52 PM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (oblique) was limited in practice all week but was removed from the final injury report on Friday, according to John Boyle of Seahawks.com. Darnold injured his left oblique in practice before the Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. The 28-year-old has played in both of the team's postseason games and has gone 37-for-53 passing for 470 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions in wins over San Fran and the Los Angeles Rams. Darnold hasn't wavered since tweaking his oblique several weeks ago, and with another week until the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 8, against the New England Patriots, he should be close to 100%. The former third overall pick back in 2018 by the New York Jets threw for a season-high 346 yards against the Rams last weekend and could put up big numbers in the big game against New England.