Matthew Stafford Contract Status

[XXXIVwin]

Some Thoughts on Matt Stafford's Contract Situation with the Rams | Over the Cap

Some Thoughts on Matt Stafford's Contract Situation with the Rams | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

Fantastic article, thanks for posting. Really an interesting negotiation because both sides have some truly legit claims.

For those who don't want to read the entire article, here are a few excerpts that caught my eye:

"Stafford’s current contract was signed in March of 2022 and averaged $40 million per season. It currently ranks 15th in the NFL. It was a surprising deal when he signed it and really is the reason for the issues he currently has with his contract. Stafford took a contract that really was not reflective of the market at the time. It was a contract that more or less seemed to be giving some type of discount to the Rams and embracing his status as an older QB at the age of 34.

Before the ink was dry on the Stafford deal it was clear that the contract was a mistake if money was a priority for him.

Despite the fact that Stafford’s contract does not rank in the top of the NFL by annual value, Stafford has not been underpaid relative to the rest of the NFL. From 2022 to 2025 his cash salary will rank 6th or 7th in the NFL.

The problem for Stafford and the Rams right now is can you justify doing a $50 million a year contract in 2025? There may be circumstances where you can do it with backend bloated salaries that he will never earn and a big raise for this season, but can you do it with a legit contract extension full of guarantees and all of the bells and whistles of these other contracts?

Regardless of Stafford’s level of play last year the fact remains that he is 37 years old this year. Too many of us looked at Brady’s career and thought that there was this new magical fountain of youth for QBs. Peyton Manning looked completely shot at the age of 39. Brees hit a similar wall around that age. Rodgers fell at 39 and then fell off a cliff at 40. And even these guys were exceptions. Matt Ryan was basically done at 37. Wilson fell apart in his mid 30s. Cousins at 36 was moved to the bench. For Ben Roethlisberger 37 was the end. The list goes on and on.

This is really why it is in the Rams best interest to continue to work within the framework of his current contract and find ways to piece it together year by year to make it work without damaging the long term future of the team.

My guess is we get more clarity on this in about a week but it really isn’t as simple as just saying “pay him”. It’s a big question about what is a fair number for today but what will also be a fair number for tomorrow. For the Rams they should want to take it season by season and Stafford lost that leverage to really push the Rams when he quickly signed that extension a few years ago."

 

[WestCoastRam]

The Rams just signed one of Aaron Rodgers favorite QB coaches. To put a birdie in Staffords ear ?
I want the Rams and Stafford to get it worked out at a reasonable price.
But I do not hate on Arod as much as most of you do.
I we can not sign Stafford I would like to see the Rams get T. lawrence somehow. Just entering his prime, mobile and the size.

I wouldn't read too much in the Van Pelt to Rodgers pipeline, Van Pelt is a damn good coach. Rams got themselves a weapon there regardless of who the QB is.

 

[dieterbrock]

Some Thoughts on Matt Stafford's Contract Situation with the Rams | Over the Cap

Some Thoughts on Matt Stafford's Contract Situation with the Rams | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

Dang, that’s what I’ve been saying about the contract. Only thing that’s missing is how before the extension kicked in, he and the team played like dog shit in 2022 and it appeared at the time that it may have been a big mistake.
Alas, 2023 played out (the 1st year of the deal) and he’s been trying to change the deal ever since

 

[ottoman89]

I wouldn't read too much in the Van Pelt to Rodgers pipeline, Van Pelt is a damn good coach. Rams got themselves a weapon there regardless of who the QB is.

I wonder if it leads to their thoughts of getting a bridge QB and drafting a young QB. Loading up on QB Coaching and a competent bridge QB (ASSUMING Stafford leaves and Stafford would be the BEST QB option)

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

All I said was that people blame Stafford or the players in general when money is involved - but actually its often a lot of people around them convincing them money is the most important thing.

Yeah, I get it. However, these players need to weigh happiness against the money. Von Miller is the perfect example of this. He wanted to stay in LA and play with Aaron Donald. He said it to his Dad and agent. But they said go for the money. He’s already a multi millionaire.

Stafford has an estimated Networth of $150 million. Is an extra ten million a year more important than playing with a team and coaching staff he likes and one that competes nearly every year?

 

[Allen2McVay]

... these players need to weigh happiness against the money. Von Miller is the perfect example of this. He wanted to stay in LA and play with Aaron Donald. He said it to his Dad and agent. But they said go for the money.

So you are saying ... we Rams' fans DON'T Want Stafford to seek advice from Von Miller's Daddy!?!

I agree!!!

I remember Miller had his 2022 free agent tour / negotiations recorded, and it was released.
After meeting with Buffalo, the 33-year old star and future Hall of Famer called his father.
And the Exact Quote was ... 'What should I do Daddy?'

I used to ask my father the same question ... When I was six!

 

[dieterbrock]

My prediction is that teams are either not offering the contract Stafford wants, or if they are they arent willing to cough up the trade assets. So he will stay in LA, the Rams will throw him a bone, and it will be spun that he took less money to remain a Ram (even though it will be just based on rumors)

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

IDK man. I know pff gets dunked on a lot but they had him talked higher than Stafford and their numbers were actually similar.

In the Rams vs Jets game Rodgers looked better than Stafford.

Simple answer, if you want Stafford you need to tell his reps what a contract will look like.

This isn't the Price is Right, where the Rams will just top any offer. Obviously they have a limit in their mind or we wouldn't be here right now. If another team wants to exceed that limit and Stafford wants to play there, then we have a trade.

So Eisen's question was kind of dumb and not worth answering as the answer is obvious. Both Stafford's agent and these teams need to know what the money aspect is otherwise you can't make a trade.

If I am any opposing team that is asked by Stafford’s agent what I’d pay him, I’m inflating the numbers.
With no intention of trading for him.

Make it harder on the Rams.

If a casual observer or media type were to look at Matthew Stafford and his production with the Rams without watching every game, they would inevitably think he is an old QB who turns it on in the postseason. Because he has played his best ball down the stretch every season in horns.

But that is not the reality of what has occurred here.

The reality of what has occurred during Stafford's time with the Rams is that he has dealt with an OL that finishes with its best ball every season. This was even true during the Super Bowl season, where the protections were iffy as fuck until around the halfway point, and the OL gelled nicely and started picking up stunts and shit and avoiding free runners to the QB like bosses. And Stafford responded by elevating the team in the biggest moments and bringing LA the hardware.

Since that Super Bowl season the OL has been a fucking dumpster fire or thereabouts to start each season. The post Super Bowl season they never played into form. But the two successive seasons thereafter they did just that and Stafford responded by leading this team to the playoffs and showing an ability to fight above their weight class.

Now once again we all know he's 37. We all know he's got hard miles. We all know he might punch out at any time. We all know teams aren't going to go after him like he's in his prime. But listening to Mayock saying he may be the tenth best QB in this league is really fucking funny to me. Because he is more than that. And what is incredible about this situation is the Rams know the OL has let him down early in seasons, however that still doesn't change the stats when you have the business conversation with his representatives.

What I'm wondering, though, is whether a team like the Steelers realizes that he might be a windfall for them. Because what does it look like if they add a couple pieces for him and keep it balanced and give him a top defense. I would guess you're talking major darkhorse.

Anyway had to get that off my chest. I am realistic in all this, in that I recognize it may be time for him to go. I felt it brewing last year, it wasn't something I ignored completely, rather it stuck in the back of my mind and I thought about it as we saw this OL start out slow once again. But personally I feel like he has carried his side of the bargain since he came over to us. I would pay him. But this is a business so I am not feeling confident in this at all, and if the Rams have already drawn the hard line we will probably be talking trade destinations and who has the best offer with his reps soon.

The only way it makes sense for the Rams to trade Stafford is if it’s with a bad team. Say they get two second round picks for Stafford like Mayock said. Then the Rams plan is to try to turn those picks into capital to move up in the 2026 draft. Two late second round picks don’t help much. So I’m not trading with the Steelers if I’m Snead unless it’s for a first round pick.

Even at that Snead views picking in the 20’s in round 1 as purgatory. The Steelers aren’t ideal trade partners.

 

[Alaskan Ram]

So you are saying ... we Rams' fans DON'T Want Stafford to seek advice from Von Miller's Daddy!?!

I agree!!!

I remember Miller had his 2022 free agent tour / negotiations recorded, and it was released.
After meeting with Buffalo, the 33-year old star and future Hall of Famer called his father.
And the Exact Quote was ... 'What should I do Daddy?'

I used to ask my father the same question ... When I was six!

Firstly.... Fuck that, respectfully.
I hope I'm still alive when my kids reach 33.
I hope they still seek out my fatherly advice and cherish it. Dad, pop, daddy, father, old man... I don't care what they call me, as long as they call me.

Secondly.....As far as money goes:
Make as much as you can while you can. Make sure you are making money even while you sleep.
With any luck, find a career path doing something you love whether you're a W2 prostitute or a Self-Employed Pimp.
At the end, in their death bed, nobody is going to look back and wish they'd worked more.

Football is a business. The minute these players forget that is the moment they lose their edge. Do what's best for yourself and the group.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

My prediction is that teams are either not offering the contract Stafford wants, or if they are they arent willing to cough up the trade assets. So he will stay in LA, the Rams will throw him a bone, and it will be spun that he took less money to remain a Ram (even though it will be just based on rumors)

I hope you are correct, because it’s more than likely that Stafford is more valuable than a couple of draft picks. In so many trades, involving proven players for picks, the trade favors the team taking the proven players.

Taking picks for Stafford with the idea of being able to move up in the 2026 draft to pick a QB would be a wing and a prayer type of situation. The Vikings tried that 2024 and couldn’t move inside the top ten despite having two first round picks to dangle. That’s why I keep saying it’s not worth it unless they get a team to give them a top ten first round pick, like the Giants at #3. They may be able to turn that third pick this year into a few first rounders next year by trading back for 2026 picks. But even that’s a gamble because the teams trading up would have to still be bad the following year for those picks to be high enough.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Firstly.... Fuck that, respectfully.
I hope I'm still alive when my kids reach 33.
I hope they still seek out my fatherly advice and cherish it. Dad, pop, daddy, father, old man... I don't care what they call me, as long as they call me.

Secondly.....As far as money goes:
Make as much as you can while you can. Make sure you are making money even while you sleep.
With any luck, find a career path doing something you love whether you're a W2 prostitute or a Self-Employed Pimp.
At the end, in their death bed, nobody is going to look back and wish they'd worked more.

Football is a business. The minute these players forget that is the moment they lose their edge. Do what's best for yourself and the group.

If I am worth $150 million you can be sure that I’m not going to go out prostituting. I’d have my money working for me with investments.

 

[PhillyRam]

If I am any opposing team that is asked by Stafford’s agent what I’d pay him, I’m inflating the numbers.
With no intention of trading for him.

Make it harder on the Rams.

It's still a proffesion and teams and their front office people lose credibility if they did that... I don't think it works that way.

 

[thirteen28]

Yeah, I get it. However, these players need to weigh happiness against the money. Von Miller is the perfect example of this. He wanted to stay in LA and play with Aaron Donald. He said it to his Dad and agent. But they said go for the money. He’s already a multi millionaire.

Stafford has an estimated Networth of $150 million. Is an extra ten million a year more important than playing with a team and coaching staff he likes and one that competes nearly every year?

My thoughts exactly. Beyond a certain point, everything - even money - is subject to the law of diminishing returns. If I was in Stafford's shoes, with a net worth of $150 mil (serious "fuck you" money) and another $40 mil coming my way next year, I'd be telling the team to take the extra money and go get me some weapons. I wouldn't be trying to load up from the Brinks truck when none of the extra money is going to make any appreciable change in quality of life, and I would much rather play for a team that could compete for a championship on a lesser salary than max out on money playing for a less competitive team.

We will see what he prioritizes.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Firstly.... Fuck that, respectfully.
I hope I'm still alive when my kids reach 33.
I hope they still seek out my fatherly advice and cherish it. Dad, pop, daddy, father, old man... I don't care what they call me, as long as they call me.

Secondly.....As far as money goes:
Make as much as you can while you can. Make sure you are making money even while you sleep.
With any luck, find a career path doing something you love whether you're a W2 prostitute or a Self-Employed Pimp.
At the end, in their death bed, nobody is going to look back and wish they'd worked more.

Football is a business. The minute these players forget that is the moment they lose their edge. Do what's best for yourself and the group.

Wow! You packed a whole lot in there.

The post was intended to reflect an observation about Miller’s level of maturity in making an important career decision.

Asking a beloved and respected parent for their input makes perfect sense. However, Miller agreed to do a mini-documentary. It would have been wise to consider how to best present himself; and, in my opinion, he didn’t come across as an adult seeking advice from trusted advisors (including a parent), and then making HIS own decision about his life/career.

As to the rest of your post, respectfully, Yikes!

 

[snackdaddy]

That article does a good job explaining things with both sides. It is a dilemma. Stafford believes he should be paid commensurate with his play. He is considered a top ten quarterback by most. Still seems to have the ability. But the Rams don't want to affect the future by committing to what he wants. We don't know if he will continue to play at this level or if he drops off drastically the way others have when they reach their late 30's. He could play at a high level the next 3 years. Or the drop could happen within a year or two. I can see why the Rams are hesitant to commit to anything that affects the future.

 

[thirteen28]

If I am any opposing team that is asked by Stafford’s agent what I’d pay him, I’m inflating the numbers.
With no intention of trading for him.

Make it harder on the Rams.

The Achilles heel with that strategy might be that, if their willingness to pay him doesn't match their willingness to cough up the draft capital to get him, then they are not fully putting their money where their mouth is.

 

[RamFan503]

Why would another team negotiate a salary with MS if that might just help the Rams reach a compromise number?

See. This is what I keep wondering. I get maybe if the Rams have actually had discussions with teams about a trade. But if it’s between Stafford’s agent and a team, why would the other team allow their offer to reach the Rams. I would think there would be some kind of NDA to go with the offer.

 

[dieterbrock]

That article does a good job explaining things with both sides. It is a dilemma. Stafford believes he should be paid commensurate with his play.

I dont see it as a dilemma, he loved the positive press about how he gave the team a discount, got tv endorsements and all the like. Media presented him as a good old boy, buddy buddy with Kershaw etc.
Funny, he didnt think he should be paid the commensurate rate when he (and the team) was awful in '22.
I am frankly a bit shocked at how little he's being criticized. How many players want to renegotiate their deal after 1 year?
Alas, I just want the team to win, and rather he be the QB than not. But IMO his true colors are being shown. He's fake as F, and his bat shit crazy wife is probably a big part of it.

 

[dieterbrock]

See. This is what I keep wondering. I get maybe if the Rams have actually had discussions with teams about a trade. But if it’s between Stafford’s agent and a team, why would the other team allow their offer to reach the Rams. I would think there would be some kind of NDA to go with the offer.

I think it goes hand in hand with what team's would be willing to trade. So a team might say they'd pay him 50 mill, but at that number they wouldnt give up more than a 4th round pick. I definitely think its a 2-part conversation.
I cant see a team giving up premium draft pick(s) and paying top dollar for a 37 year old who gets banged up every year. That's the type of stuff that gets guys fired. Take the Steelers for instance, Tomlin is rumored on the hot seat each year he doesnt win a playoff game. He convinces the Steelers to go "all in" and Stafford gets hurt, misses a lot of time and they dont win. Probably the straw that breaks the camel's back

 

[majrleaged]

He signed a 4 year 160 mill extension after they won the Super Bowl.
He was lauded as being a good team player and not holding out for top dollar.
And now he’s tried to renegotiate the deal in each of the first 2 years of it

So Stafford, being a good team player and hoping to get a couple more SBs, gives the Rams what at the time was considered a friendly deal.
The Rams suck the next year and instead of ramping up again, using the money Stafford left on the table to keep the run going, the Rams dump salary. If I was Stafford I would be asking for the money I left on the table also. Seeing as the Rams probably used the "we will need money to keep the talent around you".

Seems to me after rethinking some of this, it might very well be Stafford going after all he can get after the Rams decided to rebuild right after he gave them a break. Why would Stafford come to LA for a rebuild when he left Detroit to get away from one.

So I think Stafford might have been thinking the last 2 years that he got burned and LA owes him.