Matthew Stafford Contract Status

[snackdaddy]

Rogers would be a nice consolation if they move Stafford. I'm sure he'd fare better with the Rams than the Jets. But their best shot at the Superbowl is with Stafford.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Rogers would be a nice consolation if they move Stafford. I'm sure he'd fare better with the Rams than the Jets. But their best shot at the Superbowl is with Stafford.

Best QB yes, best chance, debatable. Why would I say that? Depends on how the cap savings of trading Stafford and what we get back in return as draft compensation. Does moving him allow us to stock up more overall on the roster via free agency and the draft? With a coach like McVay, I like our chances if the overall roster gets stronger as a result. I'd rather keep Stafford but totally get not splurging huge cash on someone that is retiring sooner than later and one that could impact us keeping younger players down the road. That's the business for ya.

 

[OldSchool]

$70 million aav? Fuck that

 

[Boston Ram]

70M? No thanks. Give me Jimmy G, even bring in Teddy B to back up and draft your future. Keep building this team with the great core of players we have. Not even sure why I am responding as that article really dont deserve a response lol

 

[WestCoastRam]

Rams Poised to Make Matthew Stafford NFL’s Highest-Paid Player Per Season
by By Nate Kessler, GTP Sports Network 9:05 AM February 19, 2025

The Los Angeles Rams are reportedly prepared to offer quarterback Matthew Stafford a three-year contract that would make him the highest-paid player in the NFL on a per-season basis. The proposed deal is expected to be voidable after the second year, giving both Stafford and the team flexibility moving forward. While negotiations are ongoing, sources indicate that Rams General Manager Les Snead is actively working to clear salary cap space to finalize the deal as soon as possible.

Stafford's agent has set the asking price at $210 million over three years, a figure that would average out to an astounding $70 million per season. The Rams are negotiating to bring that number down slightly but acknowledge that Stafford is deserving of a salary exceeding that of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who currently earns $60 million per year. Given Stafford’s value to the franchise and his role in their Super Bowl LVI victory, the team is prioritizing his extension as a critical offseason move.

Stafford, 37, has been one of the most prolific quarterbacks of his generation. The former first-overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions has thrown for over 56,000 yards and 357 touchdowns in his career. After spending 12 seasons in Detroit, Stafford was traded to the Rams in 2021, immediately leading the team to a Super Bowl championship. Known for his toughness and strong arm, Stafford has solidified his status as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.

Meanwhile, the Rams have also potentially secured a veteran backup, working to sign Teddy Bridgewater to a one-year deal. The terms of the contract offer have not been disclosed, but sources suggest it is a cap-friendly deal that provides much-needed depth at the quarterback position. Bridgewater, often referred to as "The Bridge," has built a reputation as a reliable and experienced signal-caller, having played for multiple teams, including the Vikings, Saints, Panthers, Broncos, and Lions. The former first-round pick out of Louisville has thrown for over 15,000 yards in his career and is regarded as a steady presence in the locker room.

In addition to securing their starting and backup quarterbacks, the Rams are expected to use a sixth-round draft pick on Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel. If necessary, the team is prepared to bundle two sixth-round picks to trade up into the fifth round to ensure they land him. Gabriel, a left-handed quarterback, had an impressive college career with both UCF and Oklahoma, throwing for over 14,000 yards and 125 touchdowns. His mobility and quick release make him an intriguing developmental prospect for the Rams’ future.

With Stafford’s extension looming, Bridgewater in place as a capable backup, and Gabriel potentially joining as a developmental prospect, the Rams are solidifying their quarterback room for both the present and the future. As negotiations continue, all eyes will be on whether Los Angeles can secure Stafford’s new deal while maintaining financial flexibility for the rest of their roster.

I love fanfic

Edit: guys this is so not serious, the Rams haven't even finished their evals on draft picks so how could they know the want Gabriel yet or where they want him other than the most cursory idea

 

[CGI_Ram]

No way $70M. No way.

 

[Haden]

NFL Confidential: Reunion most likely outcome for Rams, Matthew Stafford
Updated Feb. 19, 2025
Jordan Schultz
NFL Insider

With the NFL Combine next week, we thought what better time than now to start a weekly insider column based on the rumblings I'm hearing around the league. Indy, in many ways, is the ultimate precursor to free agency. Every team, executive and agent attends — which means the framework for tons of new contracts and even possible trades gets set.

Let's dive in.

Built on a house of Stafford

With the Rams making former All-Pro wideout Cooper Kupp available via trade, their starting quarterback will be, in many ways, the key domino to fall this offseason — and certainly in the NFC. While uncertainty remains surrounding Matthew Stafford's future with the team, league sources are adamant that coach Sean McVay and the organization want to keep the 37-year-old Super Bowl champion. Remember, trading Stafford ensures a $45.3 million dead cap hit in 2025 and nearly $23 million in 2026. Stafford, who is scheduled to make under $30 million this upcoming season, is seeking a new contract with future guarantees that will pay him closer to the league's top 10 quarterbacks.

Several teams, per league sources, have called L.A. about Stafford and the belief is a first-round pick would probably be the asking price should the Rams choose to make a deal. Again, the Rams want him back (he also carries a $49.3 million cap hit if released) and there's been nothing to this point that would suggest Stafford doesn't want to play for them, but this is undoubtedly one of the biggest storylines heading into free agency next month. Before then, the Rams and Stafford's agent are planning to meet in Indianapolis to see if they can find common ground


ME: A lot of stories floating around. It doesn't seem too wild that, given that Stafford is already going to cost the Rams 50 million either way, that they don't settle on Dak Prescott money of 60 million+. But who knows??? Lots of misinfo floating out there this time of year.

 

[DzRams]

But (and this is me) should Matt stay, this year will be his farewell tour with the Rams. No matter what happens with him, we'll see a different Rams QB in 2026. We'll know soon if that happens in 2025. And, if he does stay, this will NOT be an "all in" year like the Superbowl year. They are not going to mortgage the future for the hope of a Superbowl this season.

After much thought on this issue and 79 pages of reading other opinions, I've come to the conclusion that it's your last two sentences that are driving everything.

If they don't want to go all in for 2025 because that would mortgage the future, then standing firm on his current contract or a trade make the most sense. It makes no sense to pay an old QB $50m plus unless you're also willing to spend what it takes to win in the short term.

Pay him and mortgage the future or trade him.

 

[brucebruce]

I'm all in on $70m if it is incentive-laden including a Super Bowl win.

 

[DzRams]

I'm all in on $70m if it is incentive-laden including a Super Bowl win.

No way an old, proven, top 10 QB is going for an incentive-laden contract. And a SB is not guaranteed no matter what they do.

 

[PhillyRam]

After much thought on this issue and 79 pages of reading other opinions, I've come to the conclusion that it's your last two sentences that are driving everything.

If they don't want to go all in for 2025 because that would mortgage the future, then standing firm on his current contract or a trade make the most sense. It makes no sense to pay an old QB $50m plus unless you're also willing to spend what it takes to win in the short term.

Pay him and mortgage the future or trade him.

That is the whole conundrum that they are in. If this was a veteran roster on their last legs they would probably go all in like in 21'. However, they nailed the last two drafts and they see that they can have a 5 or 6 year plus window, especially if they can get a good young QB on a rookie deal. The problem is how do you get one without forfeiting away a couple of those years looking for and or developing that young QB?

 

[AZRams]

So with the Salary cap set to increase ~$20-$25 Million, how does that affect the negotiation?

 

[dieterbrock]

I'm all in on $70m if it is incentive-laden including a Super Bowl win.

Would also mean we likely cant re-sign Alaric Jackson, Puka and/or possibly Verse down the road

 

[ottoman89]

There's absolutely no way $70mil per year is a thing and the Rams SHOULDN'T and WOULDN'T pay that.

 

[dieterbrock]

So with the Salary cap set to increase ~$20-$25 Million, how does that affect the negotiation?

It really doesnt change things as he already has a 50 mill cap hit for the next 2 years, whatever added $$ will essentially go on top of that

 

[WestCoastRam]

That is the whole conundrum that they are in. If this was a veteran roster on their last legs they would probably go all in like in 21'. However, they nailed the last two drafts and they see that they can have a 5 or 6 year plus window, especially if they can get a good young QB on a rookie deal. The problem is how do you get one without forfeiting away a couple of those years looking for and or developing that young QB?

Yeah, there's really no ideal answer or right answer here. I think there's just the best less than perfect answer which is to sign him and compete.

The next best would be to get resources to spend on a QB next year (this year is just so horrifically bad, I really don't see a reason to pick a QB this year unless we think Stafford will be around for 2-3 and one of these sub-par guys can sit and marinate which is their only chance at being decent)

I think @DzRams said if we do sign him we should go all in but I suspect the Rams don't see it that way and will try to split the baby, sign Stafford but not mortgage the future and try to thread this needle which is super hard to do.

That's life though.

 

[Kupped]

The rumors are interesting... No way do the Giants trade the #3 pick for Stafford.. BUT.... I could see them trade down for assets and then trade a lower first-round pick for Stafford.

I wonder what the Rams really think their options would be at that point?

I genuinely think Daniel Jones may be more of an option than anyone thinks. His 2022 season wasn't terrible.
His arm strength is only okay.. but he'd ad an element of run-ability they haven't had at the position in years.

But... I don't want to see Stafford moved.

 

[PhillyRam]

Yeah, there's really no ideal answer or right answer here. I think there's just the best less than perfect answer which is to sign him and compete.

The next best would be to get resources to spend on a QB next year (this year is just so horrifically bad, I really don't see a reason to pick a QB this year unless we think Stafford will be around for 2-3 and one of these sub-par guys can sit and marinate which is their only chance at being decent)

I think @DzRams said if we do sign him we should go all in but I suspect the Rams don't see it that way and will try to split the baby, sign Stafford but not mortgage the future and try to thread this needle which is super hard to do.

That's life though.

Yeah, I think they could keep Stafford, still make it a 2 year commitment, and IF they like one of the QBs in this draft (Dart, Howard, Slough) they will take one and see if they have something. If not, repeat next year. They don't fall off trees, so take your swings until you get one. The number of young players on the roster affords them to burn a few picks looking for a successor.

 

[DzRams]

Yeah, there's really no ideal answer or right answer here. I think there's just the best less than perfect answer which is to sign him and compete.

The next best would be to get resources to spend on a QB next year (this year is just so horrifically bad, I really don't see a reason to pick a QB this year unless we think Stafford will be around for 2-3 and one of these sub-par guys can sit and marinate which is their only chance at being decent)

I think @DzRams said if we do sign him we should go all in but I suspect the Rams don't see it that way and will try to split the baby, sign Stafford but not mortgage the future and try to thread this needle which is super hard to do.

That's life though.

Compete meaning for it all or just making the playoffs and hoping for the best?

They can do the latter without Stafford but they'll need #9 next year to compete for it all.

I sincerely hope they're not trying to split the baby because I've learned in my nearly half century on the planet that that's generally a bad idea. You get two dead halves.

IMO, they may be getting too enamored about the future. The only players I see that they for sure should be saving for are Puka, Turner, and Verse. There are some other good contributors that I think we'd be fine letting walk in 2-3 years, if necessary.

For example, in looking at the entire free agency list next year - headed by Kyren, Curl, Lake, and Durant - I feel the team would be fine if not one of them were resigned. They're all good contributors but none so irreplaceable that it would be considered mortgaging the future if they all walked.

 

[Merlin]

But (and this is me) should Matt stay, this year will be his farewell tour with the Rams. No matter what happens with him, we'll see a different Rams QB in 2026. We'll know soon if that happens in 2025. And, if he does stay, this will NOT be an "all in" year like the Superbowl year. They are not going to mortgage the future for the hope of a Superbowl this season.

I agree with this line of thinking. Stan clearly said no to the pay raise discussion, though I don't think he also said no to a higher percentage being guaranteed which I would guess is why the Rams are still trying to get this done during the combine.

But aside from how the details look or what they are, this is going to cause an inevitable divorce with Stafford. Question is whether he plays his final year for the Rams in 2025. I think they are going to move him because the Rams just don't seem interested in stringing shit along. They're more of a rip the bandaid off group of thinkers. Only reason they're doing this dance is because Stafford is the best option this offseason by a reasonable degree.

So if Stafford relents then yes I think he plays 2025. If not then they're going to move him this offseason and probably soon. Actually at his age he is going to be worth more now at 36 and coming off that performance in Philly than he ever will be worth again. So as you get into that rip the bandaid off side of the thinking it makes sense to move him now. I'd say it's at least 50/50 he's moved, and way I'm reading things now it feels like more.

This also means they're going to draft a QB and maybe at the top. Because even if Stafford plays it out in 2025 having that QB cooking on the depth chart behind him and learning the offensive ropes is valuable. It is not like they're going to draft high enough to get one of the QBs who will top the 2026 draft, after all, with Stafford running this offense. So if you like one of them, Dart for example, then get the pick for Stafford then use said pick to position if necessary to go get him. And this is assuming he ends up slotting higher than the predraft estimates, which is common with QBs particularly the ones who are comfortable under pressure.