Matthew Stafford Contract Status

[PhillyRam]

I don't want Darnold.

Prefer Jimmy G and Jaxon Dart... Develop him for a year while Jimmy plays.

And then beef up the D in FA to be dominant and add young weapons on offense that will grow with Dart.

 

[ottoman89]

I don't want Darnold.

Me either, absolutely couldn't get behind it.

 

[fearsomefour]

Basically it sounds like if Kupp is gone, he wants out too. If he dont get paid he wants out, but he dont want Kupp gone. Lots of Drama going on. I for one dont want either Matt or Kupp gone, but dont just trade them for pennies and dont get any FA or something to "replace" them.

Vets don't fetch much in trade.....esp ones on the wrong side of 30 with injury history.

 

[Merlin]

The salary dump will eradicate Kupp's remaining value.

 

[Corbin]

I chuckled at this originally, but then considered that Daboll is probably as desperate as any NFL coach has ever been. If the Rams could get their 2025 first round pick, or their 26’ first round pick it could pay off. With the Giants offensive line and Matthew’s lack of mobility, I doubt Stafford gets halfway through the season. So their 2026 pick could be top 5 and get the Rams in rage to draft a QB.

How would you feel about 2025 second and a 2026 first?

Did you say Arch Manning?

Fuck it I’m all in.

 

[Corbin]

Imagine being Stafford. Poor guy lol. JK I'm sure he's happy.

Fucking love that gif!

 

[Flatlyner]

I'm a bit intrigued by Howard and McCord for a later QB. I'm assuming we have all written Bennett off? Because it doesn't appear McVay has entirely. I'm still all for getting Zach Wilson or Fields to sit behind Stafford this year and learn for a HOF QB, perhaps sprinkle them in a bit to see if they are good in our system. Both guys have a ton of talent, more then most in the draft this season. Bonus is, neither will cost a pick in the draft. There is no way Denver retains Wilson, actually think the 5th year was already declined.

 

[Ram Ts]

I can’t see McCord drafted by Rams if it’s true McVay wants someone who is more athletic who can run and move around. He’s a pocket passer only - no wheels/mobility

 

[PhillyRam]

I'm a bit intrigued by Howard and McCord for a later QB. I'm assuming we have all written Bennett off? Because it doesn't appear McVay has entirely. I'm still all for getting Zach Wilson or Fields to sit behind Stafford this year and learn for a HOF QB, perhaps sprinkle them in a bit to see if they are good in our system. Both guys have a ton of talent, more then most in the draft this season. Bonus is, neither will cost a pick in the draft. There is no way Denver retains Wilson, actually think the 5th year was already declined.

Yeah, I don't understand why Howard isn't more highly thought of. I caught one of his K State games in 23' and I was intrigued then. Then he goes to better squad and all he does is win a Championship... sound familar?

Big kid, fairly mobile, solid arm... What's not to like?

 

[dang]

I think multiple things can be true at once.

Stafford did not play as well as he did last year (last year was maybe one of his best years playing) or in years past (and it's okay to worry about him slowing down).

Rams had a terrific level of injuries that affected Staffords' play at WR and Oline.

Kupp, when healthy, wasn't the Kupp of old and a guy who - not dominate against man coverage - could at least offer options against it no longer could help there so teams hammer Stafford with man coverage and he didn't really have any answers out of an occasional play by Nacua.

There is not QB out there, on our bench or in the draft that can offer a chance to win it all next year (and most likely no the following year) like Stafford can. Though again, he's a risk as he gets older.

Infinite, what would be your answer to QB next year?

I disagree. Kupp, when healthy, WAS like 2021 Kupp. The problem is he was only healthy for a portion of the season. One example: I saw him Live@NE this year. He carried that game.

 

[DzRams]

I think multiple things can be true at once.

Stafford did not play as well as he did last year (last year was maybe one of his best years playing) or in years past (and it's okay to worry about him slowing down).

Rams had a terrific level of injuries that affected Staffords' play at WR and Oline.

Kupp, when healthy, wasn't the Kupp of old and a guy who - not dominate against man coverage - could at least offer options against it no longer could help there so teams hammer Stafford with man coverage and he didn't really have any answers out of an occasional play by Nacua.

There is not QB out there, on our bench or in the draft that can offer a chance to win it all next year (and most likely no the following year) like Stafford can. Though again, he's a risk as he gets older.

Infinite, what would be your answer to QB next year?

I've been beating this drum: it's not all injuries. From weeks 13-17, our team was FULLY healthy and yet Stafford had two highly rated games and three subpar games under an 85 rating.

In only one of those five games (Buffalo), did we score more than league average. In the other four games, we averaged 16.25 points. That's about one TD below league average and two TDs below elite offenses.

We were mostly healthy from weeks 9-12 and there were a couple of good games and a couple of subpar games in that period. Overall, we were largely healthy the 2nd half of the season and yet Stafford had about 5 subpar games - i.e. under an 85 QB rating.

Again, IMO, moving forward with Stafford is option #1 but we need to stop blaming everything on injuries and be cleareyed about the challenges the offense is facing. It's gonna take some work to bring the unit up into elite territory. That could be one of the reasons the brain trust is hesitating on going forward with Stafford.

 

[younghutch]

The viable option is Jimmy Garoppolo. And yes, it makes absolute sense if you're not conceiving of it as a short-term decision. Stafford is nearing retirement. This is a move to retool and look to the future. The Rams have a choice. They can pursue a Super Bowl next year with Stafford, or if a team offers a great deal, we can put our resources into more of a long-term approach.

Jimmy won't win us a Super Bowl, but he can be a competent starter in this scheme. He's a bridge QB. And we use the Stafford trade to build up resources for our next franchise guy. It is a perfectly logical long-term decision, but yes, it means accepting that we almost certainly won't win a Super Bowl in 2025. It all depends on what McVay and Snead are thinking.

My God, Jimmie G. winning a Super Bowl at Levi Stadium would be sooo sweet.

 

[0311rams]

Gotta love mock drafts...since we are worried about blowing it up, here's my blow up draft with a shit ton if trades lmao

View attachment 69722

Guess it was long its blurry hahaha.....by the way, know it's bot realistic but I think it would ve one hell of a draft lol

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so wait.. just because Stafford's brother in law was hired by the Giants, that means Stafford will follow him there?

really, you guys are better than this!

and how do we even know MS9 likes his brother in law that much?

Stafford is a leader of men. not a follower. so. no he's not leaving. now he might be influenced by his wife so....... lol.

 

[pvtdragon39]

Vets don't fetch much in trade.....esp ones on the wrong side of 30 with injury history.

Not saying during the Kupp trade, im saying if they trade him, and then do nothing to "replace" him and move on without any help is not going to be in the favor of anyone. Especially with it pissing Stafford off and him wanting out if this is the case. This team was 19 yards of basically going to the superbowl and prob winning the way chiefs played.

Puka, JW, and who? Xavier? Adams? Who is basically Kupp who dont Block like Kupp!

Kupp is still part of this offense, but in Different way. Hes blocking ALOT in last 6 games of the season. Hes Pulling Defenders off of Puka.
Wide open half of the time, but they just throw to Puka.

 

[pvtdragon39]

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Stafford is a leader of men. not a follower. so. no he's not leaving. now he might be influenced by his wife so....... lol.

True but some of the stuff Kelly stated Prob has some truth to it. He wants to be paid but he dont want Kupp gone and that will piss him off if anything.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I've been beating this drum: it's not all injuries. From weeks 13-17, our team was FULLY healthy and yet Stafford had two highly rated games and three subpar games under an 85 rating.

In only one of those five games (Buffalo), did we score more than league average. In the other four games, we averaged 16.25 points. That's about one TD below league average and two TDs below elite offenses.

We were mostly healthy from weeks 9-12 and there were a couple of good games and a couple of subpar games in that period. Overall, we were largely healthy the 2nd half of the season and yet Stafford had about 5 subpar games - i.e. under an 85 QB rating.

Again, IMO, moving forward with Stafford is option #1 but we need to stop blaming everything on injuries and be cleareyed about the challenges the offense is facing. It's gonna take some work to bring the unit up into elite territory. That could be one of the reasons the brain trust is hesitating on going forward with Stafford.

Yes, I think we need to be clear eyed as you said about him slowing down.

Also, I don't have it in front of me but I think the breakdown of those games, the ones he was good in, the D played mostly zone and the ones he was bad in they played a lot of man. I don't want to make excuses for Stafford but we don't have consistent answers for man coverage on this team right now and that has affected him. It was less a problem last year because A) Kupp still had some gas and B) Stafford was making god tier throws to beat man coverage that just wasn't sustainable over time. This team has not had good answers for man for a few years now and they've been able to eeek by in big moments through a combination of Stafford, Kupp and Nacua having big but not consistent plays against man CB play.

 

[pvtdragon39]

I've been beating this drum: it's not all injuries. From weeks 13-17, our team was FULLY healthy and yet Stafford had two highly rated games and three subpar games under an 85 rating.

In only one of those five games (Buffalo), did we score more than league average. In the other four games, we averaged 16.25 points. That's about one TD below league average and two TDs below elite offenses.

We were mostly healthy from weeks 9-12 and there were a couple of good games and a couple of subpar games in that period. Overall, we were largely healthy the 2nd half of the season and yet Stafford had about 5 subpar games - i.e. under an 85 QB rating.

Again, IMO, moving forward with Stafford is option #1 but we need to stop blaming everything on injuries and be cleareyed about the challenges the offense is facing. It's gonna take some work to bring the unit up into elite territory. That could be one of the reasons the brain trust is hesitating on going forward with Stafford.

One simple reason why he had a QB rating of under 85. Puka being targeted every snap. They took Kupp completely out of the offense and had him block and pull defenders. Kupp, Wide open throw to Puka! Higbee, Wide open throw to Puka! Kyren, Wide open throw to Puka.

Have JW do what Kupp was doing this season, and Run with Puka and Kupp solely on Offense routes. We also have Higs out there now. Spread to all targets and we will be a problem.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I disagree. Kupp, when healthy, WAS like 2021 Kupp. The problem is he was only healthy for a portion of the season. One example: I saw him Live@NE this year. He carried that game.

Yes, I think that was an issue of variance. Part of his decline is he couldn't sustain that.

He's been injured a lot AND he can't consistently be an A (or even B) receiver right now. My guess is that he will be able to have 1-2 big games a year going forward but that's it. The rest will be middling production depending on the cast around him.

 

[pvtdragon39]

Yes, I think that was an issue of variance. Part of his decline is he couldn't sustain that.

He's been injured a lot AND he can't consistently be an A (or even B) receiver right now. My guess is that he will be able to have 1-2 big games a year going forward but that's it. The rest will be middling production depending on the cast around him.

I think his decline is having to Consistantly block D'linemen the entire game and its wearing him out. By the time they pass to him hes totally gassed in the 4th quarter.

 

[DzRams]

Yes, I think we need to be clear eyed as you said about him slowing down.

Also, I don't have it in front of me but I think the breakdown of those games, the ones he was good in, the D played mostly zone and the ones he was bad in they played a lot of man. I don't want to make excuses for Stafford but we don't have consistent answers for man coverage on this team right now and that has affected him. It was less a problem last year because A) Kupp still had some gas and B) Stafford was making god tier throws to beat man coverage that just wasn't sustainable over time. This team has not had good answers for man for a few years now and they've been able to eeek by in big moments through a combination of Stafford, Kupp and Nacua having big but not consistent plays against man CB play.

This rings true to me. So what's the solution?

If we bring back a base WR room of Nacua / Whitt / DRob as you propose, draft a TE early with WRs later, will that be enough? The TE would help for sure but we'll still have a WR room that's subpar against man coverage.