Out of 16 projected starting quarterbacks in the NFC, who has the highest ceiling? Is it the No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams? MVP finalists Dak Prescott or Jalen Hurts? How about Matthew Stafford?
At 36 years old, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback is the oldest projected starting QB in the NFC, but he’s also the only one with a Super Bowl ring. He’s also the only one who gets to play in coach Sean McVay’s passing-friendly offense that also boasts an All-Pro duo in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Yeah, there’s a lot to like about Stafford’s chances of helping the Rams maintain a top-10 offense next season and ideally advance beyond the Wild Card stage, but we’re not the only ones who are bullish on LA’s starting quarterback.
Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd is also all-in on Stafford maintaining his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season. Here’s Cowherd making his case on The Herd.
Matthew Stafford Earns High Marks With Colin Cowherd
“If you paid quarterbacks based on ceiling, what is the best version of themselves? I’m not taking AFC, so, just the NFC quarterbacks, if you paid people on ceiling, here’s how I would rank NFC quarterbacks. When they’re the best version of themselves, I think Stafford is No. 1. Protection, weapons, I’ve seen him win a Super Bowl, I’ve seen him carry a team.”
Colin Cowherd: Matthew Stafford holds highest ceiling among NFC QBs
Matthew Stafford sits atop @ColinCowherd's "highest ceiling" list for NFC quarterbacks… pic.twitter.com/DYTMBqbY41
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 22, 2024
Related: Where does Matthew Stafford rank among NFL QBs today?
Cowherd had former Rams quarterback Jared Goff ranked second, Jordan Love third, Kyler Murray fourth, and Kyler Murray fifth. Then came a couple of rookies with Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. Perhaps the biggest takeaway here was the ‘shade’ tossed toward Dak Prescott, who didn’t crack the top-7. But he said we “get into the Dak territory” at 8.
He does state an interesting case for Stafford, in that when he’s playing his best, good luck finding a better quarterback. His ability to get hot at the right time is a big reason why the Super Bowl LVI Trophy is in Los Angeles instead of Cincinnati.
Related: Free Agents Still Out There? Who Should The Los Angeles Rams Sign Before Training Camp?