All Matthew Stafford has done during his three-year run with the Los Angeles Rams is lead the team to a Super Bowl title (2021) and a surprise playoff appearance (2023).
The former No. 1 pick of the Detroit Lions rebounded from an injury-plagued 2022 campaign to put up a stellar performance this past year. In doing so, he posted a 9-6 record in 15 starts for a Rams team many believed was in rebuild mode.
Ever since his days in Detroit, Stafford has been underrated in the grand scheme of things. Even as a former top pick, some might conclude that he’s been disrespected within the broader confines of the NFL world.
We now have the latest example of this. It’s absolutely outrageous. NFL on CBS released its first quarterback rankings for the 2024 season.
You will not believe where Stafford lands. He comes in at 16, sandwiched in between Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars and injury-plagued Cleveland Browns signal-caller Deshaun Watson (yes, this Deshaun Watson).
We’re not making this up:
Read the rest of this article in your best Rodney Dangerfield voice, because, the disrespect is ridiculous.
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Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford Should Be In The Top 10
This past season saw Matthew Stafford complete 63% of his passes for 3,965 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He posted a 92.5 QB rating.
He helped rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua put up a record-breaking performance. Stafford also played a role in running back Kyren Williams doing his thing in both the passing game and on the ground. All of this was done with Cooper Kupp missing five games due to injury.
As for the quarterbacks ranked ahead of Stafford, there are certainly some question marks.
- Trevor Lawrence: The Jaguars’ signal caller threw 21 touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions — numbers that don’t compare to Stafford.
- Tua Tagovailoa: He had record-breaking receivers in that of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to throw to. Tua also threw three more interceptions than Stafford a season ago.
- Aaron Rodgers: This four-time MVP missed all but a few snaps in his first season with the New York Jets. He’s also on the wrong side of 40. What? Yeah, he’s ranked ahead of Stafford.
That’s just to name a few.
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What’s even crazier here is the fact that Brock Purdy of the division-rival San Francisco 49ers comes in No. 2 behind Patrick Mahomes. No disrespect meant to the former “Mr. Irrelevant,” but that’s questionable.
Let’s hope Stafford takes a look at these rankings and proves the skeptics wrong. After all, others are more friendly to the Super Bowl-winning signal caller.