Quarterback Matthew Stafford is staying with the Los Angeles Rams beneath a restructured contract, ending weeks of hypothesis in regards to the Tremendous Bowl winner’s future.
The Rams introduced their new settlement with Stafford on Friday with out initially revealing any particulars.
The 37-year-old Stafford had two years left on the four-year, $160m contract extension he signed in 2022, shortly after main Los Angeles to a championship in his first season with the group.
However his $27m wage for the upcoming season was considerably lower than the compensation for many quarterbacks of Stafford’s stature, and the deal had solely $4m in assured cash remaining in 2025 and none in 2026.
Stafford reached a deal to get extra assured cash final 12 months on the day earlier than coaching camp opened, and he engaged the Rams on a second renegotiation in current weeks. The Rams apparently have been reluctant to fulfill Stafford’s preliminary calls for, even permitting the quarterback to get an evaluation of his worth to different groups in view of a potential commerce.
The Rams have been involved a few monetary dedication that might impede their capability to construct their depth, however the sides finally got here to an settlement that may maintain Stafford on the controls of coach Sean McVay’s offense in 2025. The Rams’ social media accounts went even farther, saying Stafford “is right here to remain”.
Stafford handed for 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns final season for the Rams, who went 10-7 and received the NFC West earlier than reaching the divisional spherical of the playoffs, the place they misplaced a detailed street recreation to eventual champion Philadelphia.
The Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants have been among the many groups broadly reported to be all for buying and selling for Stafford, even discussing the framework of a possible new contract with Stafford’s agent. Raiders minority proprietor Tom Brady and Stafford made headlines after they bumped into one another lately at a Montana ski resort, however Brady’s agent stated the assembly was transient and unintended.
Stafford has led the Rams to 3 playoff appearances in 4 seasons with the group following 12 principally unsuccessful years with the Detroit Lions, who traded Stafford to Los Angeles in a deal for Jared Goff in early 2021. Stafford has handed for 14,700 yards – sixth-most in Rams historical past – with 95 touchdowns and 44 interceptions over these 4 years working McVay’s offense.
Stafford wants simply 191 extra yards passing to turn into the tenth quarterback in NFL historical past with 60,000 yards.
The Rams’ offense will get continuity at its most essential place throughout what could possibly be a busy offseason. Receiver Cooper Kupp introduced three weeks in the past that the Rams are attempting to commerce him, nearly actually ending the Tremendous Bowl LVI MVP’s eight-year tenure with Los Angeles.
Even when Kupp departs, McVay and the Rams nonetheless seem to supply Stafford’s finest likelihood by far to contend for an additional Tremendous Bowl ring among the many selections out there to him. Stafford and his spouse additionally received’t have to maneuver their 4 daughters from a cushty household life in Los Angeles.
