Andrew Whitworth is one of the few players in the NFL who had the chance to be teammates with both Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff. He went to the Super Bowl with each quarterback, winning a title in 2021 when Stafford was under center.
Whitworth always provides valuable insight when talking about the NFL so when he shared comparisons for Stafford and Goff, it warranted listening. While on a podcast for “The Ringer,” Whitworth described why guys love playing for both quarterbacks, comparing their personalities in very different ways.
He said Stafford is like John Wayne, while Goff is “like the teddy bear you’ve had since you were 2.”
“I love Goff and Stafford,” he said. “I had a great opportunity to have a lot of success with both of them. But it’s interesting because they’re totally different people. I’ve always said Stafford is John Wayne. He’s the baddest freaking cowboy in the bar and everybody’s like, ‘Dude, I just want to have a beer with that guy.’ That is the toughest – he never says a word, he never complains, he’s got blood coming from his lip and he’s still going to win. He’s going to fight everybody and he doesn’t care what the situation is so you love him because he’s John Wayne.”
“Stafford is John Wayne … Jared Goff is like the teddy bear you’ve had since you were 2.”@AndrewWhitworth joined @ryenarussillo and gave a unique breakdown of why NFL players love playing alongside both Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff. pic.twitter.com/PsXtgOBiOb
— The Ringer (@ringer) November 21, 2024
In comparing Goff to a teddy bear, Whitworth meant it as a compliment – even if it may not sound like one on the surface. It’s not because Goff is soft like a teddy bear, but rather because everyone who plays with Goff is always ready to defend him like they would a prized toy as a child.
“Jared Goff is like the teddy bear you’ve had since you were 2,” Whitworth said. “‘If you tear my teddy bear’s arm off, I’ll kill you.’ Like, you don’t touch my teddy bear. Guys love Jared. Like, they love him. They chant his name. They go crazy for him every time he has some success. He is like that little toy they’ve had since they were a kid and they’re like, ‘You will never touch my toy.’ That’s the way guys love him.”
Whitworth made it clear that both quarterbacks are beloved by their teammates, just in different ways.
“They both have that, but it’s just different. Their personalities and the way you care about them,” he said.