Matthew Stafford plans to play in 2025, but he has not guaranteed it will definitely be with the Los Angeles Rams.

Stafford's future has been a subject of speculation in the wake of the Rams' Divisional Round exit at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Entering his age-37 season, just $4 million of Stafford's salary is guaranteed, the Rams having reworked his contract last offseason to avoid a holdout by pushing some guarantees for 2025 into 2024. 

Los Angeles is likely to have to revisit Stafford's contract again this year, leaving some to question how long he may have left with the team.

With news this week that the Rams are planning to trade former Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp, Stafford knows that he cannot take anything for granted as he looks ahead to his 17th season in the NFL.

Asked about his future in an interview with The Sports Daily, Stafford said: "The biggest thing is taking care of the things that I can take care of. Controlling those things and not worrying too much about the other stuff, obviously. 

"Like every team in the NFL, there’s going to be turnover. There’s going to be new teammates, new players, new coaches on the coaching staff. And different scenarios can arise at any given moment in the NFL.

"We see it every single offseason. I just try to prepare myself to be the best version of myself and let the chips fall where they may."

Rams fans might not love Stafford's answer, but it speaks to how accustomed he is to the unpredictability of the league, with his experience in that regard meaning he was not at all shocked by the confirmation of the Rams' desire to trade Kupp.

“As far as catching me off guard, I don’t know that anything does these days," said Stafford.

"Cooper and I are smart enough and veteran enough guys to know that anything can happen. Obviously, he’s a guy that I spent more time with in my career really in the last four or five years, more than any other team that I’ve ever had. I’ll miss him big time being a part of our team."

With Puka Nacua emerging as a number one receiver, the Rams are at least well prepared for the departure of Kupp. It's difficult to see how they could find anyone who could fill the void Stafford would leave this offseason. As such, the overwhelming likelihood is that Stafford is still a Ram in 2025, but he's clearly prepared for that not to be the case.

Rams score significant offseason win as Sean McVay succeeds in holding on to one of his top lieutenants for the 2025 season

He had been expected to depart.