Matthew Stafford wants to return, but Rams face layered and complicated decision about their future at quarterback
Right after the Los Angeles Rams loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs, quarterback Matthew Stafford said he would probably keep playing. That was confirmed on Wednesday, when NFL Network's insider Ian Rapoport reported that Stafford plans to return in 2025. However, it doesn't necessarily mean the return is to […]
Right after the Los Angeles Rams loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs, quarterback Matthew Stafford said he would probably keep playing. That was confirmed on Wednesday, when NFL Network's insider Ian Rapoport reported that Stafford plans to return in 2025.
However, it doesn't necessarily mean the return is to the Rams. The decision to return is just the first step, and the next one involves a complicated contract situation.
Deal
When Stafford restructured his contract last offseason, the new format guaranteed him $36 million in 2024, but there are no guarantees left now. The quarterback is slated to make $27 million in 2025 and $31 million in 2026, which is clearly below what Stafford truly values on the quarterback market.
The Rams are in no rush, though. A potential trigger would be the third league day in March, but the team will be fairly comfortable paying his $4 million roster bonus. Unless the team intends to trade him.
In this case, it makes sense to negotiate with other teams as soon as possible, and then trade Stafford ahead of that deadline—by doing that, the Rams would make sure that the new team would pay the bonus.
Trade scenario
If Stafford is traded, the Rams would have a $45.3 million dead money—$4 million in cap savings in 2025, but a significant $53.6 million in cap savings next year.
A release is highly unlikely, because Stafford would still generate significant draft compensation for the Rams. A trade executed after June could split the dead money, but that would also delay a compensation and probably affect Stafford's value.
New deal
The most likely scenario is that Stafford wants to be paid again. He signed a four-year, $160 million extension in 2022, right after winning a Super Bowl with the Rams. With no guarantees left, it makes sense for both sides to re-discuss the deal, even though there are still two years left in the old extension.
Stafford is still playing at a high level, but he will be 37 by next season. Any type of negotiation will have to prioritize year-to-year flexibility, and that's a part of what's complicated for the Rams.
General manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay certainly want Stafford back, and that's the likely outcome. However, it might be time to consider a long-term option behind Stafford, and it will soon be time for a transition.
