The future of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford continues to dominate the news cycle as the new league year approaches. The Super Bowl winner will manage to secure a new pact ahead of the 2025 season, but whether or not it comes from Los Angeles remains to be seen. 
One of the many recent developments in this situation indicated Stafford is seeking a raise from what he is currently set to collect. As a result of last offseason’s stopgap financial compromise between team and player, the two-time Pro Bowler is owed $32MM as things stand (without much of it being guaranteed). With respect to how much of a pay bump Stafford is seeking, further clarity has emerged.
The 37-year-old is looking to join the signal-callers earning $50MM per year or more, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager reports (video link). That list currently sits at nine, and each of the players on it are younger than Stafford; only Dak Prescott and Jared Goff are QBs over the age of 30 who find themselves in the upper echelon of compensation. On the other hand, Jalen Hurts is the only $50MM-per-year passer whose resume includes a Super Bowl title.
In the wake of the Rams’ victory in Super Bowl LVI, Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive lineman Aaron Donald received new contracts cementing their status as the team’s core moving forward. The latter retired after the 2023 season, while Kupp is known to be on the trade block (and in danger of being released if no suitor is found). Moving on from Stafford would allow for the Rams to reset under center and complete the transition to a much younger – and much less expensive – nucleus.
Stafford and his camp have permission to gauge the trade market, and the upcoming Combine will no doubt result in all parties learning more about how much (in terms of draft capital and finances) teams are willing to pay. Any number of suitors could emerge given Stafford’s potential to serve as a short-term quarterback upgrade, and some teams are known to have made contact so far. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports the Giants, Browns, Steelers and Raiders are among those which have expressed interest.
The Giants are known to be in the market for a veteran passer as well as a long-term solution brought about via the draft. A deal for Stafford would meet the first of those goals, and if healthy he could prove to be a worthwhile addition over a short period. New York owns the No. 3 pick in April’s draft, capital the team will not be willing to part with. Whether or not the Rams can work out a trade built around second- (rather than first-)round compensation will be key in determining if a deal can be finalized.
The Browns are set to be without Deshaun Watson for most or potentially all of 2025, and another restructure to his pact will help create the space needed for an inexpensive veteran addition. Provided he is released by the Falcons, Kirk Cousins will be a name to watch on that front based on his history with Kevin Stefanski and the offset language in his contract. Stafford, by contrast, would be a far more expensive target.
At least one of Russell Wilson or Justin Fields will likely be retained by Pittsburgh this offseason, and a mutual interest exists for a new deal in both cases. A commitment from the Steelers to operate as the clear-cut starter will be an obvious sticking point whichever way the team goes, though, and adding Stafford via trade would leave Wilson and Fields on the move this spring. Pittsburgh would be better placed financially than New York or Cleveland to absorb a raise, but the same holds true of other teams as well.
One of those is the Raiders. Vegas entered Monday with the second-most spending power in the NFL, and quarterback is a clear area of need. As a result, it came as no surprise when a report from yesterday noted the Raiders could be a Stafford suitor. New general manager John Spytek would no doubt avoid trading away the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft, so another package or one centered on a 2026 Day 1 selection (a possibility Breer mentions) would be required for talks to yield progress.
Schrager adds no animosity exists between Stafford and Rams head coach Sean McVay, and the door is open to another Rams restructure ending speculation on this front. Still, given the extent to which a trade is receiving consideration, a reconciliation between the parties would be at least somewhat awkward at this point. Los Angeles will look for a long-term successor under center in the near future regardless, but it remains uncertain if that will be necessary in 2025.
Very few if any of those nine quarterbacks will actually take home $50 million in cash though. I guess Stafford could sign a funny-money deal with some massive non-guaranteed salaries in the out years to inflate the deal to a $50 million AAV, but I don’t think that’s what he has in mind.
I’m sure it would be the same thing, where he gets $50 million AAV, but some of the actual cash shows up in the form of void years/dead money later on. Only three quarterbacks are currently slated to take that much in cash spending next year and all of their cap hits are drastically different from their cash payouts. If he’s looking for 50 and gets the equivalent of two years worth fully guaranteed, it’s not like it matters as much to him when it shows up on the ledger. Teams can get goofy with these things if they’re willing to spend cash. Jalen Hurts’ cash payout next year is double his cap hit.
I’m still struggling to see who would be a great fit for a win-now quarterback who doesn’t already have one. Pittsburgh comes to mind, but feels like this would be the Raiders making the same kind of mistake they made last regime, and the Jets aren’t going to talk themselves into this kind of move immediately again.
The Giants better not pay him that kind of money. Crazy how aging superstars still think they are still worth top dollar.
I mean, they can be worth it. If Stafford is on the right team, gets the right health luck, and goes on a heater, you can contend. But it’s not like the Giants are a healthy Matthew Stafford away from contending, and he might be retired by the time they are.
Old Stafford was maxed out in McVay’s offense. No way he does better anywhere else.
I’m same way. Can’t see Jets or Giants doing it . Browns don’t have the money. Rams have the best win now for him. Minnesota for the money could just keep Darnold unless they are worried about the regression he showed end of year.
Jefferson would love him
not for that cap hit. he wants to win. they aren’t winning a Superbowl with a 50 million dollar QB. too many other needs
Can someone explain to me who they would replace Stafford with
Don’t try to bring logic into this I keep thinking same thing.
I think Stafford staying in LA makes the most sense, but the theory I’ve heard most is that if they traded Stafford they would be the team to sign Darnold. I’m not saying this is a brilliant idea, but if anyone makes sense to sign Darnold, O’Connell’s mentor doing it to get almost a decade younger at the quarterback position while the team adds draft capital would make sense.
Can someone explain to me why any team would trade for a guy when his current team, which made the playoffs last year, is suddenly looking to trade him with absolutely no replacement in sight?
Maybe they know something.
Cost certainty probably … especially if they can swap QBs for someone similar at a lower salary range (and improve other parts of the team)
I get the sense that they’re not actively looking to trade him. They’re letting him look around and letting other teams come to them. Maybe they end up getting a nice haul for Stafford and bringing in Darnold. Maybe it’s like the Eagles with Slay a couple years ago and Stafford realizes he should make things work with the Rams because what he wants isn’t out there.
This whole situation started with The Rams giving him permission to talk to other teams to guage his value for a revised contract. I still think that all it is.
Bye bye.
Honor your current contract or hold out without being paid.
Rams can tank in 2025 and draft a top QB in 2026.
Someone will bite. It’s a QB league and he’s better than a lot of the options.
Patty also makes $50MM a year with a Super Bowl ring not just Hurts. Or did I miss something?
He makes that now, but the AAV on Mahomes’ contract is $45 million.
Ahhhh I see. Thanks
One of the most overrated QBs of all time. 2 time pro bowl, zero time 1st or 2nd team all pro, zero time MVP.
Won a SB on a fluke season where he topped the league in picks.
After the beating into submission Stafford took from the birds, money can only be Staffords motivation to return.
What am I missing here… staffords numbers last year were no better than Rodgers. Yes a few years in age but I don’t see why a team like Pittsburgh would waste time with Stafford when they are not just a QB away from competing for a SB
Stafford’s career sack percentage is 5.79. Which teams from last season can offer him that level of protection?
Buffalo – they have Josh Allen
Denver – they are committed to a rebuild with Bo Nix
Green Bay – they have Jordan Love
Baltimore – they have Lamar
Arizona – Murray ain’t great but they won’t dump him for a 37 year old
Atlanta – Even if Penix isn’t the guy the Birds soured on Cousins and will avoid another QB near his career end
Jacksonville – they committed to Trevor
Detroit – too absurd to even consider a reunion here
Dallas – Dak for Matty is even too crazy for Jerry
The Raiders ranked 20th in pass protection last season, the Giants ranked 21st and the Steelers 29th.
Just retire Matty because the teams that can protect you don’t need you and the other teams will get you killed before you get to spend any money (which won’t be anywhere near $50MM).
I agree stay with Rams or possibly retire. Are 37 too late to start over.
Considering Aaron retired and Cooper is on the trade market it makes sense they want to save money by not giving 50mil to a 37 year old QB.
You’ve got Puka and Kyren Williams there so whoever they bring in has some help. The o line isn’t the greatest but you’re also likely not running for your life every snap.
Makes sense if they can draft a guy like Jalen Milroe in the third round to then add a cheap but good bridge QB with experience. Rodger’s, Wentz, Jimmy G, maybe even Russell Wilson if they price is right. Then below that it’s Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston, Jacob’s Brissett, Marcus Mariota.
Milroe had a poor season throwing the ball but was great running it. The year before when he actually had quality receivers he was good passing the ball so I think there’s potential there. Just balance the books over the next year or two and go from there
I was willing to convince myself to consider Stafford for the Steelers, but not if that’s the price tag. They need more than just QB and that extra 10-20 million would help tremendously.