š The Touchdown Collective: Inside Stafford's LA Rams extension
Matthew Stafford, Fernando Mendoza and Brock Purdy all feature to keep you ahead of the game, one play at a time
In todayās Touchdown Collective thereās the latest on Matthew Staffordās new LA Rams deal in Press Coverage, while admins are throwing tomatoes in Get to the Post.
š° Press Coverage
š No.1 Draft pick Fernando Mendoza says he has already started learning from Raiders co-owner Tom Brady. The rookie QB had a brunch/lunch with the legendary Brady last week and spoke to Sports Illustrated about what he was able to take from that meeting.
He said: āThe one biggest thing that I thought was awesome was when Tom talked about leadership and the two variables that you need to be a great leader.
āOne, care about your team-mates, and second, care about the teamās goals. Itās not about being a Pro Bowler, being a star player. Itās about caring about your team-mates, who they are and caring about winning, and the teamās ultimate goal, which is to win a championship.ā
š Matthew Stafford has signed a one-year extension with the LA Rams. The reigning MVP is scheduled to return for OTAs next week and has added another year after this season, taking his total for two seasons to $105million, per Adam Schefter. The Rams did not publish Staffordās pay details.
It now seems like their first-round Draft pick Ty Simpson will have to wait a little longer behind Stafford and, in my opinion, makes the choice even more confusing. The Athletic say the Rams felt none of the options available to them with the No.13 pick would have had a major impact this season, so instead opted to try to address the QB position for the long term.
š Giants head coach John Harbaugh says the return of WR Malik Nabers is āimpossible to predictā. Speaking at OTAs yesterday, Harbaugh confirmed Nabers is working hard to recover from the torn ACL he suffered last September.
He said, via ESPN: āHeās in the middle of it. Itās such a hard thing. Itās an ACL, and whatever else he had in that knee. Not a simple knee [injury], you know? So, um, heās in the slog of it, the grind of it, I would say. So, heās fighting through it, and heās here every day working hard at it.
āJust impossible to predict. I mean, the goal is to start the season and get out there sometime in training camp. Thatād be the goal, and weāll see what happens.ā
š The 49ers are still in their Super Bowl window according to Brock Purdy. Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area, Purdy says Kyle Shanahanās side āhave what it takesā. He said: āYou guys have seen it in years past. NFC championship, getting to the Super Bowl, being right there. How 2023 ended with that taste in our mouth and not being able to finish.
āObviously, we have what it takes to go all the way and win it, thatās when weāre at full strength and good to go. ā¦When itās said and done, we want to come back like all these guys and have rings on our fingers and celebrate those key wins and moments with the history of 49ers. Thatās whatās on our mind, so we got to do it.ā
š Aaron Rodgers can earn $25million playing for the Steelers in what he says will be his final NFL season in 2026, and Sports Illustrated reportedly have the full breakdown of how he can earn that maximum value.
Rodgersā deal includes: $22m fully guaranteed, $2.5m in play-off incentives ($625,000 per win if he plays half of the offensive snaps, and also has 75% through the regular season) and $500,000 split equally over two roster bonuses before the season begins.
š The Bears still seem set to leave Chicago after more than 50 years playing at Soldier Field. In a statement yesterday, they said they have done all they can.
āThe Chicago Bears have exhausted every opportunity to stay in Chicago, which was our initial goal. There is not a viable site in the city. As a result, the only sites under consideration are in Arlington Heights and Hammond.ā
I was in Chicago earlier this month (pic of me at a White Sox game below). Fantastic city, great people.
š The Lions have signed LB Jack Campbell to a contract extension which keeps him in Detroit through the 2030 season. While the terms were not disclosed, NFL Network sources say the deal is for $81m and includes $51.5m guaranteed.
š Titans QB Cam Ward is 10lbs lighter than last season as OTAs begin, with changes to his diet the biggest factor. āI think itāll help me with durability,ā Ward said. āJust being faster, getting up in the pocket, and trying to play my speed. I watch my diet more, continue to have more cardio, just work on my body, just now here and when Iām away from the building.ā
š Elsewhere, Giants QB Jaxson Dart has looked bigger and stronger so far in OTAs and insisted yesterday itās due to the incredible resources within the NFL. āI just think Iām just leaner, and our strength staff has done an amazing job,ā Dart said, via FOX Sports. āWhen you just get into the league, thereās a little bit more resources that you have when it comes to a nutrition standpoint, building out a plan. Had a really good off-season, and I was happy to make it through this past season healthy.ā
Meanwhile, Giants GM Joe Schoen has signed a new multi-year deal to stay in New York as the Harbaugh era begins.
š Eagles DC Vic Fangio says retirement wasnāt an option after last season. āI wasnāt close,ā Fangio said during a press conference yesterday. Fangio added heās āgood for two years at leastā.
ā Get to the Post
Get whoever did this in at QBā¦
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Looking forward to this one alreadyā¦
Love a good HIMYM referenceā¦
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š© Who am I? Iām Michael Ham, the Daily Star Sunday and Sunday Express Sports Editor ā and an avid NFL fan. I have over 20 years of experience in sports news journalism and Iām the writer behind The Touchdown Collective.
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