Ex-NFL QB gives unconventional ranking for Rams' Matthew Stafford
Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel believes Stafford is a top-five quarterback, though. He said on The Athletic's "Scoop City" podcast with Dianna Russini that Stafford is "underrated" and that "there might not be anyone better" than him when he's playing his best football.
"I think he's probably one of the most underrated top-five picks of all time. Like, he's won a Super Bowl — and there's this whole thing, right: Is Matthew Stafford going to be a Hall of Famer? Is he? I think he is. I think he's excellent. Now, even though he had an epidural in his back, which is freaking crazy when he's playing at the top of his game, there might not be anyone better. Like, just a pure thrower of the football [and] what he means to that organization."
Mahomes, Allen, Jackson and Joe Burrow ranked ahead of Stafford on Daniel's list, in that order.
Stafford has been one of the best in the league since he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2009 and ascended to a higher level with the Rams in 2021 when he won a Super Bowl. But despite his accolades, Stafford isn't always grouped together with the players who've won MVP awards like Mahomes, Allen and Jackson.
The Rams hope that the 37-year-old can reach his standard of play in 2025 on a Rams team looking for another shot at a Lombardi Trophy. They added Davante Adams in free agency, re-signed Kyren Williams and kept the offensive line intact as well in the hopes of keeping Stafford upright. The veteran's injury status is a bit of a concern, but there is still some time before the season starts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
25 minutes ago
- USA Today
WR Odell Beckham Jr. eyeing NFL comeback, will Steelers make a move?
Three-time Pro Bowl WR Odell Beckham Jr. has drawn interest from several teams and plans to play somewhere in 2025, per OBJ posted himself, he is not retiring, and he continues to train in anticipation of being on the field soon. Several teams are reportedly interested in a two-time All-Pro wide receiver who's eyeing a return to the NFL — could the Pittsburgh Steelers be one of them? On Wednesday, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that WR Odell Beckham Jr. is looking to play in the 2025 season and that several teams are interested in the former 2014 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Beckham is best known for his four-year stint with the New York Giants — from his viral one-handed catch against the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 to his three Pro Bowl selections during his time in Big Blue. The talented wide receiver was traded to the Browns in 2019 and has since played for the Rams, Ravens, and most recently the Dolphins in 2024. It's no secret that one of the weakest areas on the Steelers roster is at wide receiver. While the Black and Gold roster boasts several young, hungry wideouts, Beckham's veteran presence and proven track record of success could be a low-risk, high-reward move for the Aaron Rodgers-led offense in 2025. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
USA Today
25 minutes ago
- USA Today
Jalen Hurts, Shedeur Sanders had 'lengthy conversation' after practice
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been a sponge during the preseason, soaking up as much information from veterans as he can. On Monday, the Browns' social media team shared a mic'd up moment of Sanders asking teammate and star defensive end Myles Garrett how he would plan his pass rush against the rookie quarterback. On Wednesday, Sanders had a "lengthy conversation" with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and reigning Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts after practice. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo snapped a picture of the two quarterbacks chatting on the practice field, separate from the rest of their teammates at the Browns and Eagles' joint practice. The Eagles' head of security, "Big Dom" DiSandro, stood nearby. SHEDEUR SANDERS INJURY: Latest news, updates on Browns QB During a media availability session later in the day, Hurts told reporters some details of what the conversation was about. "I'll keep the conversation intimate. We had a very lengthy conversation," Hurts said. "He came to me and just wanted to talk. I'm always there, I said earlier, giving my perspective on what I see and how I've gone about things. "Ultimately, it takes a great deal of patience and hard work and a sense of resilience. You gotta want it. You gotta want it. And so, I'm supporting him from where I am and wishing him nothing but the best with this opportunity." After their conversation, Hurts gave Sanders a golf cart ride back to the teams' locker rooms. According to the Browns, Sanders suffered an oblique injury near the start of the Browns' Wednesday practice. His decision to stick around to have a conversation with Hurts after practice seems to show a commitment to learning every day, even when he's not a full participant in practice. The Browns are scheduled to play their second preseason game against the Eagles on Saturday. Cleveland had planned for Sanders to start the game if fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who has been dealing with hamstring tightness, had been unable to go, according to reports. With Sanders' oblique injury, his status for the game is unclear. The Week 2 preseason game is scheduled to kick off at Lincoln Financial Field at 1 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon. NFL Network will simulcast the Eagles' local broadcast to a national audience.
USA Today
25 minutes ago
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Hero Kanu ready for his chance to shine
Hero Kanu leads a slew of defensive tackle transfers for Texas this year. Kanu is quickly becoming one of the leaders on and off the field. The countdown to kickoff continues and so do the breakdowns of new faces along the defensive line. Hero Kanu, the senior transfer from Ohio State that has really started to turn heads at fall camp. Only totaling 14 tackles during his limited playing time at Ohio State, he is obviously hungry to have a successful senior season and raise his NFL Draft stock dramatically this year. 2024 Stats: 4 tackles, Only playing against Penn St, Indiana, Oregon & Texas 2024 was a very interesting year for Kanu. He was getting similar headlines this time last year in Columbus, but then injured his knee in practice and was down until the Penn State game on November 2nd. From there, Ty Hamilton and Tyliek Williams had locked down the starting jobs, with others rotating in comfortably, so Kanu did not get the playing time he was expected to in fall camp. From there, he jumped in the portal shortly after the season and made his way down to Austin, and it's been all go for him. It seems he is as serious about his craft as they come and will likely be the 'starter' at DT alongside Travis Shaw Week 1 against his former team. This is a player that has been waiting for his moment, and had it taken from him by injury last year. This year, he seems ready to pick up where he left off before he went down. Growing up in Germany, Kanu played soccer much of his childhood, but once he outgrew(physically) soccer, he moved to the United States for high school to explore football. He's still comparatively new to this sport, and seems to finally be fully clicking for him in the last couple of years. He's ready to roll against his former team, and one of his former teammates is getting serious about the extracurriculars. Along with Travis Shaw, Kanu is one of the veterans of the DT room, with Alex January and Maraad Watson still developing. He seems to have taken that seriously and is becoming an important leader for this team. Someone who has had the career, and life that he has had can be super helpful to this team, especially this position group. Texas brought in five transfers on the defensive line this year. This is my personal favorite of the bunch. He was shining, and likely set as a starter a year ago but an injury took that chance away. He's ready for his moment in the sun and he has all the tools to become the next star at DT for the Longhorns. That first game will not be one he needs a hype speech for. He will be ready to roll, and I think this could be one of the more pleasant surprises for Texas this year. Tomorrow, we get into the homegrown Longhorn that is ready for his chance, Alex January. The sophomore from Duncanville brings a very high ceiling and motor to the position, and he, unlike Kanu and Shaw, we get to enjoy for multiple years in burnt orange. Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
