NFL Offseason: What’s Happening with Matthew Stafford and the Rams?

• Trade rumors are swirling around Rams QB Matthew Stafford
• He will likely return to LA, but issues must be addressed
• Would he accept a trade? And where?

Matthew Stafford’s NFL career was rejuvenated, if not outright saved, when he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. After four years in LA, which included a Super Bowl LVI win, the sides are engaged in contract talks, with a trade looming over the negotiations.

It would be inaccurate to call the situation “tense,” but the key is whether they can find common ground and continue the undeniably fruitful partnership.

Odds have been posted regarding Stafford’s possible destinations if he is indeed traded.

What Are the Issues Between Stafford and the Rams?

Stafford is signed through 2026. At 37, he has said he plans to play in 2025. However, the overriding sense is that he is taking it year-to-year. If he stays in LA, he reportedly wants a new contract and the Rams are reluctant to commit to Stafford for the long term.

There does not appear to be an irreparable gap between the team and the player, but there needs to be some flexibility.

How Could the Rams Replace Stafford?

The Rams’ current backup is Jimmy Garropolo. To think that he would be the starter in 2025 is preposterous in part because he’s 33, injury-prone and his last tenure as a starter in 2023 with the Raiders was disastrous. He’s a veteran backup whose desire and pain threshold has long been questionable.

LA is picking 26th in the 2025 NFL Draft. Teams have secured star QBs late in the first round (Dan Marino, Lamar Jackson) and beyond (Tom Brady, Kurt Warner). Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, and Texas’ Quinn Ewers will likely be available to them.

Available veteran QBs include Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold, and Russell Wilson. They could try to trade for J.J. McCarthy if the Vikings choose to retain Darnold.

Would any be better than Stafford in 2025?

Where Could (and Would) Stafford Go?

Among the teams listed above, the following make sense on paper: Vikings, Raiders, Colts, and Steelers.

When assessing these destinations, there are obstacles. The Vikings, if they want to give McCarthy another year behind a veteran, could simply put a franchise tag on Darnold. Why would they give up the assets necessary to trade for Stafford?

The Raiders are not messing around with a rebuild. Part-owner Tom Brady wants to win now, as evidenced by hiring Pete Carroll as head coach. If they’re trying to win fast, then Stafford could be a logical fit. It’s difficult to see Stafford wanting to go to Indianapolis to tutor Anthony Richardson. Pittsburgh? Does he want to play in the cold and take a beating in the rough-and-tumble AFC North?

The other destinations are silly. The silliest of all is one that has garnered attention is the Giants. That might be due to an attempt by those pushing it to garner clicks and go viral based on the data suggesting people are searching “Stafford Giants.”

On what planet would he want to go to the Giants? GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are fighting for their jobs — another terrible year and they’re getting fired. New York went 3-14 in 2024 and was an abject embarrassment. It’s freezing in the New York Metropolitan area in the winter. He would not want to drag his family East to a bad team. He’ll get battered at 37. And even with a good offseason, a solid draft, a little luck, and overachievement, maybe New York can win nine games and make the playoffs as a Wild Card where they will get bounced immediately.

That’s the best-case scenario.

The idea is ridiculous and the odds being second-highest is worse.

Why The Rams and Stafford Will Work it Out

Head coach Sean McVay is perceived as a QB guru. This is a dual-edged sword in that QB gurus and “genius” coaches always look at another QB and wonder what they could achieve with him instead of what they have. Tom Landry, Bill Walsh, and Al Davis notably had itchy trigger fingers with their QBs, often to their detriment. Even Bill Belichick lusted after Rodgers while he had Brady at the height of Brady’s powers.

Still, the Rams’ rapid rise from team in transition to coming thisclose to beating the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles on the road was largely attributable to having Stafford under center.

The Rams are a young team and benefit from having a reliable, veteran leader like Stafford on and off the field. Already, LA has told wide receiver Cooper Kupp that they plan to trade him.

The prevailing feeling is that the sides prefer to stay together.

But if that does not happen, the best location for Stafford and the team is in Las Vegas with Tom Brady, Pete Carroll, and the Raiders.