After the Los Angeles Rams’ season ended within the Divisional Spherical, quarterback Matthew Stafford stated he was contemplating retirement. He didn’t take lengthy to think about his future within the NFL, electing to return subsequent season.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Community introduced the Rams quarterback’s plans to play in 2025. Rapoport added that Stafford has instructed the Rams that he “feels good” and has no motive to not play.
Stafford turns 37 subsequent month and already has recorded 16 NFL seasons. The previous Georgia prospect regarded stable all through the 2024 season, finishing 65.8 p.c of his passes for 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns. He helped the Rams earn a playoff berth with a 10-7 document. This 12 months’s playoff berth was the third look in Stafford’s 4 years with the Rams.
Matthew Stafford Wants a New Contract in 2025
Stafford will want a brand new contract heading into subsequent season, whether or not with the Rams or one other workforce. He revised his contract with the workforce earlier than final season and has a $49.6 million cap quantity for 2025. Additionally, the Rams can save practically $27 million by buying and selling him in a post-June 1 transfer.
The Rams will possible should work out a brand new contract with Stafford as he’s presently signed for a non-guaranteed $23 million subsequent season.
From The Insiders in Cellular: #Rams QB Matthew Stafford plans to return and play in 2025, sources say, although a deal possible must be labored out. pic.twitter.com/ArzNDnWQsi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 30, 2025
In keeping with Rapoport, the Rams have “no quick plan to switch Stafford,” which is smart provided that they seem able to win now. Head coach Sean McVay and his workers don’t have a alternative for Stafford. Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is scheduled without spending a dime company in March and third-string Stetson Bennett has but to play a regular-season sport, leaving the Rams restricted choices.
McVay hoped for readability on Stafford’s state of affairs sooner reasonably than later so the Rams might discover his alternative within the draft or free company.
In 4 seasons with the Rams, Stafford has produced 14,700 yards on 1,276 completions with 95 touchdowns and 44 interceptions in 57 video games. Additionally, he captured his first profession Tremendous Bowl victory when the Rams defeated the Bengals, 23-20, in 2021.
Throughout the 2024 season, the Rams received the NFC West, defeating the Vikings within the Wild Card spherical. The Rams fell brief to the Eagles within the Divisional spherical, 28-22. Stafford completed the sport with 26 completions for 324 yards and two touchdowns in a shedding effort.
The veteran quarterback has some good younger weapons to work with, similar to Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, giving him continued upside with the Rams’ present roster. The 2-time Professional Bowler hinted in the direction of his return subsequent season and is about to run it again with the Rams within the 2025 marketing campaign.
Stafford completed because the No. 22-ranked QB per PFN’s QB+ metric.