In last month’s draft, reports emerged that Matthew Stafford is looking for a new contract with the Rams. Although he has two years left on his current deal beyond 2024, the salaries for that period are not guaranteed.
Stafford had a strong season last year, bouncing back from a limited 2022 season where he played only nine games. His performance helped the Rams reach the postseason unexpectedly, boosting his bargaining power in contract negotiations. Coach Sean McVay has confirmed that the team is in talks about a new deal, and those discussions are ongoing.
According to Jourdan Rodrigue of the Athletic, the team and Stafford are still engaged in discussions, which isn’t surprising given McVay’s recent comments about the 36-year-old’s future. While Stafford has faced retirement questions before, it seems the team intends to keep him as their top quarterback for the foreseeable future. Negotiating a deal with more upfront money would likely be beneficial in securing his continued presence. Currently, Stafford is slated to earn $27 million and $26 million in 2025 and 2026, respectively, with cap hits of $50.5 million and $49.5 million. These figures match his cap charge for 2024. A new contract could alleviate some of the burden on the team’s salary cap, although the duration of the deal will be a concern considering Stafford’s age. The team has Jimmy Garoppolo as a veteran backup this year, with Stetson Bennett, a fourth-round pick from 2023, in place as a developmental passer.
Much of the Rams’ success on offense this season will depend on Stafford’s level of play. Unlike a number of players angling for new deals, he has participated in Los Angeles’ OTAs, and his status will remain worth watching. As Rodrigue notes, the team generally works out contract matters such as this before training camp begins in July. It will be interesting to see if Stafford has a new agreement in place by that point.
