The Los Angeles Rams could be giving Matthew Stafford a chance to claim two titles at once in 2026
The Los Angeles Rams‘ hopes and dreams in 2026 will run through quarterback Matthew Stafford. Sure, the Rams have a new first-round quarterback in the building thanks to their selection of Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson. But if Simpson is playing meaningful snaps this season, it means something went horribly, horribly wrong. And it also means […]
The Los Angeles Rams‘ hopes and dreams in 2026 will run through quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Sure, the Rams have a new first-round quarterback in the building thanks to their selection of Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson. But if Simpson is playing meaningful snaps this season, it means something went horribly, horribly wrong. And it also means the higher ends of the spectrum for this season will (likely) be out of reach. Accordingly, the Rams have ironed out a new extension for Stafford, who if of course fresh off of winning league MVP. And, depending on how this season goes, it could end with Stafford claiming titles. Multiple.
Los Angeles Rams extend Matthew Stafford in deal that could tie him for league’s highest paid player
Yes, the Rams are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. But for Stafford individually, the $5 million in incentives built into his new one-year extension with the team are the ticket two a double dip. If the Rams win it all in 2026 and Stafford were to max out the incentives, he’d also have a claim to ‘highest paid player in the NFL’.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott currently holds the title on an extension he signed back in 2024. That 4-year, $240 million deal made him the league’s highest paid player with an annual average salary of $60 million. It hasn’t been touched since. Until, potentially, now.
The details of Stafford’s incentives will need to be brought to light to understand if he can achieve the full total in 2026 or not. But if they are, there’s a chance an encore season from Stafford could pull him into a tie with Prescott by boosting the value of his extension to a full $60 million. It’s a big deal. We’ve seen names like Josh Allen re-work prior deals. A pass rusher has cracked $50 million annually (Houston’s Will Anderson). But anything north of $55 million annual average has been a bridge too far for NFL teams.
The Rams have at least opened the door. And if Stafford is once again the league’s Most Valuable Player and the team finishes the job this time around, I have a hard time believing that he won’t max out those incentives and claim a tie for the league’s highest-paid player.
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