At 36 years old, this might be Stafford's last shot at being a quality Fantasy option. His past two seasons have been very up-and-down but he finished 2023 with 23.4 Fantasy points per game in his final seven when both he and his O-line were healthy. He, like Fantasy managers, benefited from the ascension of Puka Nacua, plus he's got supreme confidence in Cooper Kupp. If he can keep that momentum going with a unit that added guard Jonah Jackson to better protect him, then there's potential for another good season. Shootouts in the NFC West would further pad his stats. Best of all, Stafford is nowhere close to being drafted as a top-12 Fantasy passer, making him an outrageous bargain pick as either a late-round backup in one-QB leagues or a sneaky-good No. 2 QB after the first 15 passers in Superflex/two-QB leagues.
I don't love that Stafford could be without his starting tackles in Alaric Jackson (suspended) and Rob Havenstein (ankle), but I still plan to use Stafford as a low-end starter in his first game at Detroit as a member of the Rams. He played the Lions once in Los Angeles in 2021 and scored 33.2 Fantasy points, and it would be great if he could replicate that in the rematch. Stafford scored at least 22.5 Fantasy points in five of his final six games in the regular season last year.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Returns to team drills
Rotowire
Stafford (hamstring) is participating in team drills at the start of Tuesday's practice, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Stafford was limited to individual work in his return to practice Monday, but he's now resumed handling normal reps. That's enough to alleviate any concerns about the 36-year-old signal-caller's health, though the plan for Los Angeles all along has been for Stetson Bennett to start Saturday's preseason finale against the Texans. The Rams also expect second-year wideout Puka Nacua (hamstring) to be available Week 1 versus the Lions, so with Cooper Kupp also entering the 2024 season healthy, Stafford will have both his top wideouts available to kick off the season.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Limited to individual work
Rotowire
Stafford (hamstring) participated in stretching and individual work at Monday's practice but was held out of team drills, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
Stafford returned to practice on an individual basis Monday, a positive step in the right direction after he departed the field last Wednesday as a result of hamstring tightness. Coach Sean McVay said Stafford's limitations are precautionary, and he simply "wanted to be smart with him," noting that "he was obviously very upset at me that he wasn't practicing today." Even if he was fully healthy, Stafford wouldn't be in contention to start Los Angeles' preseason finale against the Texans on Saturday, but it sounds like the veteran signal-caller is on track to play Week 1 against the Lions on Sunday, Sept. 8.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Dressed for practice Monday
Rotowire
Stafford (hamstring) is going through individual drills at the start of practice Monday, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
Stafford missed some time at practice last week due to hamstring tightness, and while coach Sean McVay's confidence in the veteran quarterback's ability to resume practicing Monday teetered over the weekend, he's now back on the field for individual drills. Even if Stafford isn't yet cleared to practice in full, seeing him already back on the field alleviates serious concerns about his health. Regardless, Stafford won't be in contention to suit up for Los Angeles' preseason finale against the Texans this Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: May not practice Monday
Rotowire
Rams coach Sean McVay said Sunday that he's unsure if Stafford (hamstring) will practice Monday, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.
Stafford has been sidelined since leaving Wednesday's practice early with what was described as hamstring tightness. McVay stated Thursday that he expected the starting quarterback to return to practice this week, but it appears the team may take a more cautious route and evaluate his status Monday morning. The Rams' coach downplayed the severity of the issue Sunday, stating that he's "not concerned" and that the 36-year-old will be ready for the season opener at Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 8, per Jackson. In the meantime, backup Stetson Bennett should continue to serve as the Rams' primary quarterback for the preseason finale versus Houston on Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: In line to practice next week
Rotowire
Coach Sean McVay said Thursday that he expects Stafford (hamstring) to return to practice next week, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Stafford left practice early Wednesday and isn't present for Thursday's walkthrough, but the Rams have described his absence due to hamstring tightness as precautionary. That the veteran signal-caller is expected to resume practicing next week confirms his injury isn't severe. In any case, neither of Stafford or backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo have been considered candidates to play during Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers, so Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn will again lead Los Angeles' offense in the exhibition contest.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Absent from walkthrough
Rotowire
Stafford (hamstring) is not present for Thursday's walkthrough practice, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
A Rams spokesperson reiterated that Stafford was removed from practice Wednesday at roughly the halfway point for 'precautionary' reasons due to hamstring tightness. Neither Stafford nor backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo are expected to play in any of Los Angeles' preseason games, so Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn figure to dominate reps during Saturday's exhibition matchup against the Chargers. It seems the Rams are simply playing it safe with Stafford's health, but given his injury history, it will be a relief to fantasy managers if the 36-year-old signal-caller is able to retake the field without missing much more time.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Injures hamstring Wednesday
Rotowire
Stafford exited early in Wednesday's joint practice with the Cowboys due to a tight hamstring, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Stafford was active in the first half of Wednesday's session that included a handful of 11-on-11 series, but he then left the field as a precautionary measure due to the aforementioned injury. He isn't expected to play in any of the Rams' preseason games, and the same can be said for backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. With that in mind, second-year pro Stetson Bennett should continue to handle the bulk of the in-game reps under center prior to Week 1.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Not in line to play in preseason
Rotowire
Stafford is not slated to see any preseason action, Cameron DaSilvaof USA Today and Gary Klein of the L.A. Times report.
Given Stafford's injury history, it's no surprise that the Rams plan to play it safe with their veteran starter. While it's unclear if fellow QB Jimmy Garoppolo will see exhibition snaps, look for Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn to get their share of work during the the team's looming three-game preseason slate.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: At camp after contract adjustment
Rotowire
Coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that Stafford is present at training camp and that the Rams have agreed to adjust his contract, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Stafford has two years remaining on his contract with Los Angeles and has expressed a desire for more guaranteed money. Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports that an adjustment to Stafford's deal is more likely than an extension, but whatever the case, both sides are now on the same page as the veteran quarterback enters his age-36 season. McVay confirmed that Stafford will be ready to practice Wednesday, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Seeking contract update
Rotowire
Stafford has been in attendance for the Rams' voluntary workouts all offseason, but the quarterback remains hopeful to have more guaranteed money added to the final two years of his contract ahead of the 2024 season, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
The 36-year-old has three years remaining on his contract but no guarantees beyond 2024. He's been involved with the Rams throughout the offseason, leading an offense that will return all but one starter (center Coleman Shelton) from 2023. Guard Jonah Jackson and tight end Colby Parkinson were the big offseason additions, with the former allowing Steve Avila to slide over to center and the latter likely replacing Tyler Higbee (knee) as a starter early in the season. Stafford apparently intends to play at least a few more years and will have wideouts Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp as his primary targets for the foreseeable future.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: On Week 18 inactive list
Rotowire
Stafford (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Head coach Sean McVay had already revealed at the beginning of Week 18 prep that Stafford would be held out for rest purposes in the regular-season finale, but the Rams still opted to list the veteran signal-caller as doubtful on their final injury report. As anticipated, Stafford is inactive for the contest, allowing Carson Wentz to make his first start with the Rams while practice-squad call-up Dresser Winn serves as his backup. Stafford will return to action in the wild-card round, when the Rams play a road game against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: QBs to Sit
Rotowire
There's several quarterbacks we expect to sit in Week 18 to rest for the playoffs, and Stafford is the placeholder for all of them in this column. That includes Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Flacco. All five of them have been No. 1 Fantasy quarterbacks, and none of them should play a full game in Week 18, if they play at all. Now, we could see someone like Stafford play for a quarter or even a half, and maybe he does enough in limited action to help your Fantasy roster. But plan ahead now to have an alternate starting option for Stafford, Jackson, Purdy, Mahomes and Flacco because they have bigger things to worry about than what happens in Week 18.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Tops 300 yards in Week 17 win
Rotowire
Stafford completed 24 of 34 passes for 317 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 26-25 win over the Giants. He also rushed once for minus-1 yard.
Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp for a five-yard touchdown late in the first half, atoning for an interception on the previous drive. He was picked off again in the third quarter, but the Rams did just enough to hang on for a win that could wind up clinching a playoff berth with some help over the rest of Week 17. Stafford posted his fifth 300-yard passing performance of the season and second in a row, but his streak of games with multiple touchdown passes was snapped at five, as Kyren Williams scored three times on the ground. The Rams travel to San Francisco in Week 18, but that matchup is less daunting than usual, as the 49ers have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: QBs to Start
Rotowire
Stafford did well as the Start of the Week in Week 15 against Washington with 22.5 Fantasy points, and he's now hit that mark or better in four games in a row, with an average of 28.1 Fantasy points over that span. He has a tough matchup in Week 16 against the Saints, who are No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks for the season, but they've faced a lot of bad quarterbacks (Ryan Tannehill, Bryce Young twice, Mac Jones, Desmond Ridder and Tommy DeVito). Jordan Love, Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence and Jared Goff all scored at least 20.1 Fantasy points against the Saints, and Stafford should be in that range as well. He remains a top-10 Fantasy quarterback in Week 16.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Very efficient in victory
Rotowire
Stafford completed 25 of 33 passes for 258 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 28-20 win over the Commanders.
Stafford continued his second-half resurgence, recording multiple touchdowns and topping 250 passing yards for the third consecutive game. He connected with Cooper Kupp for a 62-yard score just after halftime -- his longest completion of the day -- and followed that with a 23-yard touchdown toss to Demarcus Robinson early in the fourth quarter to clinch victory for the Rams. Stafford has also avoided mistakes in the midst of his hot streak, as he has not turned the ball over in three consecutive contests heading into a key Week 16 matchup against the Saints.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Excels in tough matchup
Rotowire
Stafford completed 23 of 41 passes for 294 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 37-31 loss to the Ravens.
Stafford successfully kept pace with Lamar Jackson throughout the matchup. He threw for at least three touchdowns in his third consecutive game, and Sunday's scores went to three different receivers from seven, six and five yards away. Even in rainy conditions and a tough matchup, Stafford also managed to push the ball down the field effectively, as he completed six passes of at least 20 yards. He should be in a good position to build on his strong recent form in a Week 15 matchup against a Commanders defense that has struggled to defend the pass for much of the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: QBs to Sit
Rotowire
Stafford has been awesome of late in his past two games against the Cardinals and Browns with at least 28.9 Fantasy points in each outing. He has seven touchdowns and one interception over that span, and it's his first time all season he's had back-to-back games with 20-plus Fantasy points. But now he's facing a Ravens defense coming off the bye, and Baltimore is No. 1 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. I love Stafford in Week 15 against Washington, but I would only start him in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues in Week 14 given the opponent.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Tosses three TDs in Week 13 win
Rotowire
Stafford completed 22 of 37 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 36-19 win over the Browns.
The veteran quarterback lit up a Cleveland secondary that was missing top corner Denzel Ward (shoulder), with a 70-yard TD to Puka Nacua in the first quarter setting the tone for the afternoon. Stafford had thrown more than one touchdown in a game only once this season prior to last week, but over the last two games he's erupted for seven TDs against just one INT. His surge could come to an abrupt halt in Week 14 on the road against the Ravens, however.
... See More... See Less
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Earns win despite mediocre stats
Rotowire
Stafford (thumb) completed 17 of 31 pass attempts for 190 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Seahawks.
Stafford returned from a one-game absence after using the Rams' recent bye week to recover from a thumb strain on his throwing hand. The veteran signal-caller was slow to get up after taking a hit in the third quarter, but he did not miss any time and was able to finish out the narrow victory. Stafford's top target, Cooper Kupp, wasn't as fortunate when he left Sunday's win in the first half without returning. Kupp's status is currently unknown for next Sunday's tilt against Arizona, but it sounds like Stafford should be a go despite paying a physical price to beat Seattle on Sunday.
