The Los Angeles Rams have restructured the contract of quarterback Matthew Stafford, quashing weeks of speculation surrounding the Super Bowl-winning player’s future with the team. The Rams announced this development on Friday but did not divulge specific details about the renegotiated terms.
Stafford, who is 37 years old, was originally under a four-year, $160 million contract extension that he signed in 2022 following his pivotal role in securing a championship for Los Angeles during his debut season. However, his salary for the next season was set at $27 million, which is considerably lower compared to other quarterbacks of similar caliber. Additionally, only $4 million in guaranteed money remained in 2025, with none in 2026.
Last year, Stafford renegotiated for increased guaranteed money just before the commencement of training camp. More recently, he has been in discussions with the Rams for another contract adjustment. The team initially appeared hesitant to fulfill Stafford’s initial demands, even allowing him the opportunity to gauge interest and evaluate his market value with other teams, with thoughts of a potential trade looming.
The Rams were wary of making financial commitments that might hinder their capability to build team depth. Nevertheless, both parties have finally reached a resolution that ensures Stafford remains the orchestrator of coach Sean McVay’s offensive strategy through 2025. On social media, the Rams confidently asserted that Stafford “is here to stay.”
During the last season, Stafford threw for 3,762 yards and achieved 20 touchdowns, leading the Rams to a 10-7 finish and an NFC West title. The team advanced to the divisional rounds of the playoffs but were eventually defeated in a closely contested away game by the eventual champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
There was notable interest in Stafford from teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants, which even engaged in discussions about possible trade frameworks with his agent. A seemingly coincidental encounter between Stafford and Tom Brady, Raiders minority owner, at a Montana ski resort made headlines but was described as brief and accidental according to Brady’s agent.
Since joining the Rams after 12 mostly fruitless years with the Detroit Lions, Stafford has guided the team to three playoff appearances in four seasons. He was traded to Los Angeles in a deal for Jared Goff in early 2021. Over these four years, Stafford has accumulated 14,700 passing yards — ranking sixth in Rams history — with 95 touchdowns and 44 interceptions under McVay’s tempo-driven offense.
Stafford is on the brink of reaching a significant milestone, needing just 191 more passing yards to become only the 10th quarterback in NFL history to amass 60,000 yards. The Rams will maintain consistency at their core position in what might be an active offseason. Notably, wide receiver Cooper Kupp recently confirmed the Rams’ efforts to trade him, indicating a likely end to his eight-year run with the team, which included earning the Super Bowl 56 MVP title.
Even with the potential departure of Kupp, McVay and the Rams frame the most promising scenario for Stafford’s ambitions for a second Super Bowl title among the options accessible to him. Moreover, Stafford and his family enjoy living in Los Angeles, highlighting another perk of maintaining his position with the Rams.
