This is why I expect Stafford to retire in 2024 if not before

[oldnotdead]

Matthew Stafford rumors: "Retirement is not out of the question"

Though Stafford has denied it all offseason, rumors persist that his arm won’t be ready to go again

www.turfshowtimes.com

People have doubted my contention that Stafford retires in 2024. I've pointed to his cap number in 2024 as being a big factor in that decision. I've also pointed out in my posts his arm, and concussion issues. I've always known that I am not alone in feeling this way. Stafford's cap number is too big to release him or for him to retire this year.

But because of his health issues, it's no certainty he will make it through this coming season, much less for who knows how many years beyond that. Because of his cap I think he stays on the team, but I also think it behooves the Rams to do what they can to keep Mayfield. Snead needs to tell Matt the reality of what the situation is. I think Matt would be the starter this season, but if he goes down I think Mayfield would take over permanently from that point on. If Mayfield knows that at the very latest he will start in 2024 he will stay. He's not going to find a better situation. If he goes elsewhere and doesn't click with the HC or FO that probably would spell the end of him as an NFL starter.

Remember Matt's retirement isn't his decision per se. I think this may account for a lot of the trade talk for Floyd, and what the driving force for Jalen's trade is about. The Rams need to clear extra cap to afford Mayfield ($5-$8M). This is why I fully expect the Rams to sign Mayfield. If they don't and Matt goes down again, they will look exceedingly foolish for not keeping Mayfield. Baker would also be motivated to stay because McVay resurrected his career. Baker has shown himself to be a scheme fit for McVay's offensive concepts.

I see the Rams drafting a QB this year to be their next QB2 after Matt retires in 2024.

 

[Loyal]

But what about Havenstein?

 

[AvengerRam]

We’ll…that unconfirmed rumor citing an unnamed source really tells us a lot.

 

[Loyal]

We’ll…that unconfirmed rumor citing an unnamed source really tells us a lot.

Doubting Thomas!

 

[oldnotdead]

If they sign Baker and the amount and length of his contract will be significant. Stafford as much as I like him is damaged goods with a limited future. There is a potential out for the Rams after the 2025 season. So moving on from him was anticipated.

Baker cost them nothing. They got a 5 game preview and he won 2 of those games with only one starting WR and a makeshift OL. McVay likes him a lot. It would be more surprising if they didn't sign Mayfield long term than if they did. Also, Stafford's spinal contusion won't be completely healed by September and his tendonitis is a very real concern as is his concussion history. He's one concussion away from retirement.

You don't have to read tea leaves to see the reality of Stafford long term. He started last season slow last year because he was on a pitch count in TC so his tendonitis was already limiting his play and it showed on all his inaccurate deep throws. Those underthrows and overthrows weren't aberrations, and even some of his mid-range throws weren't as accurate as they were a year prior. IMO Stafford is done and it's a matter of whether or not the Rams want to release him into retirement this year or next year. Stafford will not be 100% in September and there is no way that tendonitis won't affect him in 2023. For a QB in a heavy deep pass offense, tendonitis is a deal breaker. Like I've been saying it's up to McVay and Snead, not Stafford. If there is any doubt at all whether or not he will be 100% in September and through the entire season then signing Mayfield is their #1 priority.

The way Snead is dumping contracts, i.e. Wagner, Jalen, and possibly Floyd it would seem to indicate Snead is clearing cap to sign Mayfield.

 

[So Ram]

I guess it must be true.Same article. Lol - not saying oldbutnotdead is wrong. In fact I can picture it.
Sean Mcvay is all about The QB!!
To think Baker Mayfield could actually be franchised is FUNNY!!

Could you imagine The Rams franchising Baker Mayfield to a
match best offer or get 2 first rd. Picks. — I’d F””” Baker for that.
Welcome to the jungle Baker!!

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/los-angeles-rams-matthew-stafford-retirement-rumors-offseason-free-agency-sean-mcvay

 

[So Ram]

Pointing being as well is that Sean Mcvay has those relationships. The Rams gave up a lot to get Stafford.
—I don’t know how the contracts work or how you get it all into a square box.

—What I know is basics. I look at the Lamar Jackson thing & think The Rams should have used the Franchise Tag on Gurley & Goff.

Why match the Bell deal that never happened.Was always my theory about QB’s or First Rd picks back in the day. Will always say Al Davis was DUMB for not making jaMarcus Russell not re-enter The NFL & give up that draft pick. That PRICE TAG was to much.

I believe in True Value. The Jones deal in NY is interesting,but you pay the cards you have been dealt. I would have hit & taken the Extra Year. A blessing for the 9ers. Wondering about Jimmy G. Rumor was he almost became a Ram backup. WAS Stafford thinking about retirement last season ?

—Tru got TAGGED TWICE!! JaMarcus Joyner got TAGGED!!

First 2 years under Sean Mcvay
The Rams used franchise tag. Have not since. HELD AD99 OUT!

Point being I go back to Jay Cutler coming out & SJ39 or Bulger were to get PAID!!

You create opportunities such as sign SJ39 long term. Get a deal done. Make Bulger play for his CONTRACT. Use The Franchise Tag & Draft a QB(value) for the future.

—Look at Green Bay as an example.I’d say win a CHAMPIONSHIP first. The RAMS DID!! Thank you Sean Mcvay!

 

[So Ram]

But what about Havenstein?

What about Havenstien? I guess having a New O”Line coach could help him. He knows what he needs to work on.

I reported about Careberry.I think Zack Kromer is a better O”Line coach than he was.
—I also like what Zack Kromer did as a TE’s coach when Thomas Brown went to coaching the RB’s.
He has been with Sean Mcvay from the start & is underrated.

I know OLDBUTNOTDEAD had a problem with Aaron Kromer who I respect & think was an OUTSTANDING O”Line coach.

In Fact to stay on The Rob Havienstien Topic. The Rams should put him at RG! He is an EXCELLENT RUN BLOCKER!! His issue is the step out move. Finding the timing & distance a long with balance. I saw Whitworth giving Noteboom & Havenstien LOVE & Trying to Pass On GREATNESS!! He at least gave Big Rob the Keys when he left & said Your In Charge!!

Careberry was good for Brian Allen. He was better with center & guards. Rob went back to his old ways & lost confidence. Tough season all the way across & caught up to him.

I’ll continue to say way back when Aaron Kromer cross trained
Jamon Brown at RT. Big Rob would still be a Staple RG!!

The Rams need a SWING TACKLE!! Never Found that player to REPLACE BIg WHIT!!

 

[So Ram]

SEAN MCVAY(Les Snead) need to be held accountable though.

Les Snead talks about WINNING in APRIL! Well The Rams released Gerald Henderson before his contract was through.
The Dallas COWBOYS just Franchised Pollard.
—Same School & Same Draft!!
(The Rams traded up to get Henderson) Mcvay was on camera happy he got his guy.

Once again Logan Landon Brussss was never to be seen. Well at training(pre season)camp I posted A’ Jackson was The Rams Best RG. Now just to add on to it.

Mcvay was nervous & wanted to trade up for Bruss. A Scout jumped into the Pool! —maybe more work & Les pool party’s.

Here is the next Offensive Line Drafted. Add he would have looked good going(better than Jamon) AD99 in practice.

Spencer Burford is the only rookie offensive linemen in the NFL who hasn’t allowed a sack

The 49ers rolled the dice to start the season by having two first-year starting guards on offense. Both players have exceeded expectations so far.

www.ninersnation.com

 

[So Ram]

Add my point is you could throw darts. In 2021 there were 5 Centers & All 5 Centers started.
In 2020 Tyler Badazz feel to The Rams.
—Point being Brian Allen never should have been resigned.He could have even given The Rams a Comp Pick for The Contract (salary cap) he signed. The Rams knew his knee was bad. Sat out 2019 & 2020.(thanks Reggie).

In 2022 The Rams knew Andrew Whitworth was going to be like The Only 40 year starting OT(LT) in NFL HISTORY!! 2017-2022!
They had 5 years to find his replacement or ROB HAVIENSTIEN!! Yes Joesph Noteboom I like,but his salary & injury history.
—As Ram Fans we know about Roger Saffolds injury history,but he seemed different.Dude was a WORKOUT WARRIOR!!

 

[So Ram]

BTW - The Raiders screwed Roger Saffold & The Rams benefited in The End!! Add maybe A’ Jackson can be The Rams next LG for the next 4 seasons? Maybe sign him early from a UFRFA contract to a 3 plus year deal? Just thinking outside The Box!!

 

[TSFH Fan]

So, it's based on what Matthew Berry heard at the combine.
Matthew Berry also heard this:

“My nipples are hard… for Allen Lazard.”

Call it all solid reporting if you want.

23 Most Interesting Things I Heard At Combine | Matthew Berry's NFL Combine Buzz

Matthew Berry reveals the 23 most interesting things he heard at the NFL combine, including how Lamar Jackson could end up in Washington.

www.nbcsportsedge.com

 

[oldnotdead]

A lot of people on this board were really negative about Jared Goff. I posted that it was the scheme and McVay's refusal to design the offense to play to Goff's strengths. I also pointed out all the obvious ways McVay set up Goff to fail. Well two years in Detroit and Goff finished last year as one of the top QBs in the NFL.

Now I'm on record saying Goff and Mayfield are equivalent talents. I'm also pointing out that McVay tailored his offense to Mayfield in ways he refused to do with Mayfield. McVay set up Mayfield to succeed and Baker played very well. So to assume that Mayfield would not be successful in LA under McVay doesn't seem logical. McVay talks about Mayfield in ways he never talked about Goff. In other words, Stafford was McVay's choice in QBs. What are the odds that both Stafford and McVay were at the same resort on the same days to get the deal done? If you believe that it was entirely coincidental I have a bridge in San Fran I want to sell you. Now Mayfield would be the next QB that McVay chooses.

The media still shades Goff refusing to admit they were wrong about him. All he needed was a HC who believed in him and tailored the offense to Goff's skill set. Now Detroit has a franchise QB in a player most on this board believed the media as being nothing but a mid- grade second tier talent. From what I've seen of Baker here in LA he is virtually the same type of player. Carolina gave up on him because they didn't want to tailor their offense to fit his skill set. Mayfield comes to LA and McVay proves Carolina wrong. Mayfield won 2 games out of 5 with backups. Stafford went 3-9 and at least had most of his starters while Mayfield went 2-3 with a bunch of backups and a worse OL. I have never been a Mayfield fan, but watched him with an open mind and saw what he could bring to LA once he learns the offense and works with the receivers.

So yeah I'm not so proud that I'm not going to give credit where credit is due. I'd rather have Mayfield than a second round or low first round QB and have to go through the growing pains again. This team has a much better chance of being in contention with Baker than with a drafted QB. He probably would never be as good as Stafford, but that isn't to say he couldn't get the Rams into a Super Bowl. If Goff could do it in 2018 then the Rams can do it with Mayfield and McVay.

The other advantage of having Mayfield is that the Rams can use the first round picks to bring in other talent at positions of need either in the draft or via trade. For the first contract, Mayfield won't cost anywhere near what Stafford is costing the Rams, and less than what Goff is costing the Lions. As a former Charger fan I've heard a lot of the same things being said about Mayfield, that was said about another QB the Chargers had. That QB was Drew Brees. Mayfield is taller and has a better arm than Brees had in San Diego.

Whether people like it or not, I really see Mayfield as the Ram's next QB. Because the Rams didn't spend capital on him and will pay him far less than they are paying Stafford, Snead can go back to wheeling and dealing to keep the influx of top talent into LA.

 

[AvengerRam]

I don’t expect Stafford to retire this offseason.

I have no present expectations for 2024.

Rumors based on unsourced reports of random sportswriters are stupid.

 

[ottoman89]

If there's still talk about retirement, and if his arm is "done", and the concussions have added up.. I can see him retiring and can also completely see what they're trying to do a mini "retool".

 

[Allen2McVay]

Pre-injury last season, did any of you guys think Stafford 'could barely throw'? Because THAT"S the quote from the source. Personally, I did not think his arm looked weak.

When I read that article, I thought of a late-August ESPN Get Up show where Dan Graziano said Stafford 'couldn't throw' in Camp ... Exact Fucking Words Used ... As Graziano said the words, ESPN played a video clip FROM THE PRIOR DAY"S PRACTICE showing Stafford throwing 30-yard-seeds!

We have discussed this topic dozens of times. People won't admit when they are wrong.
Stafford's arm, and then the concussions ... McVay's burn-out and TV opportunities ... Donald's retirement or wanting to play closer to home ... Rams mortgaging the future ... go back to 2016 and Goff's-a-Bust comments.

Hey, I have posted half-a-dozen times over the past two months that there was no way the Chiefs would allow Orlando Brown Jr. to hit free agency. Too valuable an asset. Even if K.C. wanted to move-on, Brown would be tagged; and the Chiefs would simply let it be known that it would not require two first round picks as compensation for Brown signing elsewhere. So the Chiefs would get something in return for a valuable asset.

You know what? Based upon reports, K.C. will not tag Brown. I WAS WRONG.
Hang-on, let me see if I died for admitting being wrong ... Be Right Back ... Hopefully ...
...
...
...
Still Here.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Matthew Stafford rumors: "Retirement is not out of the question"

Though Stafford has denied it all offseason, rumors persist that his arm won’t be ready to go again

www.turfshowtimes.com

People have doubted my contention that Stafford retires in 2024. I've pointed to his cap number in 2024 as being a big factor in that decision. I've also pointed out in my posts his arm, and concussion issues. I've always known that I am not alone in feeling this way. Stafford's cap number is too big to release him or for him to retire this year.

But because of his health issues, it's no certainty he will make it through this coming season, much less for who knows how many years beyond that. Because of his cap I think he stays on the team, but I also think it behooves the Rams to do what they can to keep Mayfield. Snead needs to tell Matt the reality of what the situation is. I think Matt would be the starter this season, but if he goes down I think Mayfield would take over permanently from that point on. If Mayfield knows that at the very latest he will start in 2024 he will stay. He's not going to find a better situation. If he goes elsewhere and doesn't click with the HC or FO that probably would spell the end of him as an NFL starter.

Remember Matt's retirement isn't his decision per se. I think this may account for a lot of the trade talk for Floyd, and what the driving force for Jalen's trade is about. The Rams need to clear extra cap to afford Mayfield ($5-$8M). This is why I fully expect the Rams to sign Mayfield. If they don't and Matt goes down again, they will look exceedingly foolish for not keeping Mayfield. Baker would also be motivated to stay because McVay resurrected his career. Baker has shown himself to be a scheme fit for McVay's offensive concepts.

I see the Rams drafting a QB this year to be their next QB2 after Matt retires in 2024.

I won’t worry about it until it actually happens. He’s old for a QB, has taken lots of hits, and it won’t be a surprise to anyone.

 

[Juice]

I remember when reporters wrote about facts. Now they are just a bunch of opinianted columnists. Too much talk of retirement around our team. Just let me know when it happens, please.

 

[ottoman89]

I remember when reporters wrote about facts. Now they are just a bunch of opinianted columnists. Too much talk of retirement around our team. Just let me know when it happens, please.

It must be a mainstream media thing to do.

 

[Psycho_X]

I’d F””” Baker for that.