When Matthew Stafford captured his first MVP award, the Hall of Fame chatter started heating up fast. But not everyone is ready to hand him a gold jacket just yet.

NFL analyst Bomani Jones recently stirred the pot with a quarterback comparison that might ruffle some feathers. According to Jones, Stafford's career arc mirrors Carson Palmer's more than any other signal-caller—and Palmer isn't exactly knocking on Canton's door.

"The comp is Carson Palmer. It has always been the comp," Jones said on "The Dominique Foxworth Show." "I've seen people get offended by that. But I think three-time Pro Bowler Carson Palmer and three-time Pro Bowler Matthew Stafford have a decent bit in common. If somehow Carson got himself a Super Bowl, we would have to talk about him the same way."

Let's break down the numbers, though. Stafford's resume does include that MVP trophy and a first-team All-Pro selection—hardware Palmer never collected. Statistically, Stafford also edges Palmer in career completion percentage, passing yards per game, and passing touchdowns per game, even if the margins are thin.

The pre-Rams chapter of their careers does share some similarities. Before landing in Los Angeles, Stafford only reached the playoffs three times in 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions. Palmer, meanwhile, made the postseason just three times over 14 years and fell short in his lone Super Bowl appearance with the Arizona Cardinals.

But here's where the comparison starts to wobble. Since joining the Rams, Stafford has rewritten his legacy. He's now been to the playoffs four times in five seasons, playing in 10 postseason games compared to just three with the Lions. Palmer did revive his career in Arizona, but he never reached the same heights Stafford has hit in L.A.

Of course, all this debate could become ancient history if Stafford adds another Super Bowl ring to his collection. For now, though, the conversation around his Hall of Fame credentials is as lively as ever—and Jones' Palmer comparison has given fans plenty to chew on.