Matthew Stafford

Rams QB Jimmy Garoppolo Addresses Health, Free Agency

August 17th, 2024 at 8:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

After being benched in favor of Aidan O’Connell midway through the 2023 season, it was clear Jimmy Garoppolo would need to find a new team in free agency. The veteran passer wound up taking the Rams’ backup gig, a move he recently reflected on.

Garoppolo noted the presence of starter Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay as key factors in his decision to sign with Los Angeles during an interview with The Athletic’s Jeff Howe (subscription required). The 32-year-old took a one-year deal with a base value of $3.18MM to serve as Stafford’s No. 2 this season. He noted that other teams had interest in him, but a decision to join the Rams was made rather quickly with an agreement being reached on March 20.

“This place allows you to be yourself, too, which is different than other places I’ve been,” Garoppolo said about his new employer (while declining to go into further detail on his previous stops). “You’re getting pressed with a sense of urgency but in a good way… They do it in the right way here. They push you positively.”

The former second-rounder did fill the role of Tom Brady New England successor he was drafted to hold, but he made 55 starts across six seasons with the 49ers. Brock Purdy‘s emergence made Garoppolo expendable, though, and he signed with the Raiders last March. That move had him lined up for starting duties under Josh McDaniels, but Vegas’ decision to start over on the sidelines and in the front office (not to mention Garoppolo’s latest injury issues) left O’Connell atop the depth chart to close out the season.

Now, Garoppolo will spend at least one year attempting to remain healthy and in doing so provide the Rams with an experienced option if Stafford, 36, misses time. The latter had his contract restructured this summer, but the team views his future on a year-to-year basis. It is therefore uncertain who will be under center for Los Angeles in 2025, but in Garoppolo’s case a return to health ahead of the coming campaign carries signficant value on its own.

“It’s really nice having a healthy offseason,” he said. “I haven’t had one of those in awhile. The foot surgery was tough last year. For anyone who’s ever been through that, that wasn’t a fun recovery, but I feel like I’m back to myself. Being in this role, I get to experiment with some things, being with the 2s… I haven’t had that in a little while, so it feels nice to get back to that.”

Rams Looking At Matthew Stafford As Year-To-Year Proposition

August 12th, 2024 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Much of this offseason’s Rams-Matthew Stafford negotiations appeared to stem from the quarterback wanting more security beyond 2024. The resolution brought a different result, calling the talented passer’s Los Angeles future into question.

The team moved $5MM from future years into 2024, benefiting the 16th-year veteran now rather than later. Although Stafford saw a $4MM 2025 roster bonus become part of his $40MM guarantee package on this revision, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes the Rams are still viewing this partnership through a year-to-year lens. The former Lions mainstay’s contract — a four-year, $160MM deal agreed to following Super Bowl LVI — still runs through 2026.

After a concerning 2022 packed with multiple injuries, Stafford rebounded to lift what had been viewed as a retooling Rams team back into the playoffs. The team returns Stafford’s receiving corps from last season, which is poised to include a healthy Cooper Kupp, and did not let its QB’s contract matter drag into training camp like a few other NFC situations. As of now, the Rams believe Stafford is still playing at a high level and want him back beyond 2024, Fowler adds. But injuries have become a regular issue for the cannon-armed QB, making retirement a subject that will be monitored from the team’s side.

Stafford, 36, has deflected retirement rumors in the past and has seen QBs play well into their late 30s and, in some cases, past 40. Sean McVay also said the Rams are content with Stafford as long as he wants to play. This might not be a matter the Rams need to worry about just yet. After all, ex-McVay staffers in Atlanta are preparing to coach a soon-to-be 36-year-old Kirk Cousins — who just received a $100MM practical guarantee — coming off Achilles surgery. But Stafford is obviously on the back nine of his career.

Only that $4MM roster bonus is guaranteed beyond 2024, but the Rams would face a $49.33MM dead money bill if Stafford retired after this season. His 2025 cap number is scheduled to be $49.67MM. That would set an NFL record, but we are close to seeing the bar move here. Deshaun Watson is on the cusp of playing on a $63.77MM cap number, while Dak Prescott — absent an extension — is at $55.13MM. Daniel Jones and Kyler Murray join Stafford in being set to play on $45MM-plus cap figures this season.

While Jared Goff has rebounded in Detroit, Stafford played the lead role in pushing Los Angeles’ 2021 effort to the mountaintop. He also received, believe it or not, his first original-ballot Pro Bowl invite last season, ranking sixth in QBR as well. The Rams should remain in good hands as long as their starter is healthy, though Fowler adds the Jimmy Garoppolo addition generated some attention — despite the former 49ers starter’s rough Raiders year — this offseason.

Taking over for Carson Wentz as the latest McVay QB2 reboot candidate, Garoppolo will have a chance to stabilize his career in L.A. Baker Mayfield‘s L.A. stint did not generate a strong free agent market, but it provided some momentum after a disastrous Panthers campaign. Garoppolo’s contract expires in March, though the 32-year-old passer becoming an immediate fit with McVay would naturally attract mutual interest in a reunion. This could depend on Stafford’s plans, as Garoppolo should still stand to have some options in 2025.

Eventually, the Rams will need a true heir apparent. For now, they are fine with Stafford. They spent big on guards (Kevin Dotson, Jonah Jackson) to help protect their centerpiece player. This situation will still be one to monitor, especially if another Stafford injury leads to Garoppolo playing time.

Rams, Matthew Stafford Reach Contract Resolution

July 28th, 2024 at 5:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 28: Stafford’s deal is now officially in place, per Garafolo’s colleague Ian Rapoport. $5MM has been accelerated from a future year into 2024, meaning he will receive $36MM this season. In addition, a guaranteed $4MM roster bonus has been added for 2025. Stafford has thus met his goal of acquiring new locked in compensation while also receiving a raise up front.

JULY 23: Rams head coach Sean McVay announced on Tuesday that an agreement has been reached with Matthew Stafford on a new contract. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback will be in attendance at training camp.

McVay did not go into specifics with respect to financial terms, but he noted (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) today’s agreement is not an extension. As a result, Stafford remains under contract through the 2026 campaign. Only one more year remained on the pact with guaranteed salary, so this restructure presumably includes new locked in compensation.

It became known during the draft that Stafford was seeking guarantees beyond 2024. The 36-year-old delivered a healthy and productive season last year, putting to rest thoughts of a trade sending him out of Los Angeles or (for at least the time being) speculation about retirement. McVay confirmed Stafford would remain in place for the coming campaign atop the QB depth chart after the team’s postseason exit. That will be the case for 2024 and potentially beyond, depending on the structure of the new arrangement.

Stafford’s camp had been in communication with the Rams about a resolution, so today’s update comes as little surprise. The latest report on the matter indicated the longtime Lions signal-caller would not engage in a training camp holdout even if a deal had not been agreed to. That has now become a moot point, and team and player will turn their attention to the 2024 season.

The Rams’ youth movement at a number of positions led to lessened expectations last year, but Stafford helped guide the team to the wild-card round. Taking one or more steps further than that in 2024 would prove his $31MM salary to be worthwhile, and staying healthy would make today’s investment in his finances for 2025 and/or ’26 a reasonable decision as well. The details of today’s move will be worth watching for as the Rams prepare for life after Aaron Donald on the field and from a financial perspective.

Matthew Stafford Addresses Rams Deal

July 25th, 2024 at 12:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

A number of players around the NFL are currently absent from training camps as they seek new deals. Matthew Stafford and the Rams avoided the threat of such a scenario by working out a new financial arrangement.

The Super Bowl-winning quarterback attended the start of training camp with upgrades to his existing deal in place. Stafford remains under contract through 2026, but the new pact is believed to provide him with added security. His $31MM 2024 base salary was already guaranteed, but the lack of locked in money beyond that point led to negotiations during the spring.

Full financial details are not yet known, but Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic writes this week’s agreement will increase “some” of Stafford’s guarantees (subscription required). She adds the deal appears to be a compromise, though it was obviously sufficient to avoid a potential holdout. Stafford was not expected to skip the start of camp, but Rodrigue reports there was uncertainty in the organization whether or not he would report in the absence of a deal. In the end, Stafford is satisfied with his new situation.

“It was a good agreement, listen, I’m happy to be where I am,” the two-time Pro Bowler said (via Rodrigue). “I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to be playing. I’m excited about playing football this year, and that’s what matters to me the most, to be honest with you.”

Head coach Sean McVay made it clear this offseason Stafford will remain atop Los Angeles’ depth chart for as long as he intends to keep playing. The former No. 1 pick – who has been linked to retirement in the past and has dealt with a number of injuries in his career – enjoyed a strong campaign in 2023, helping lead the team to the postseason. Stafford and Co. will look to duplicate that success this year, his fourth with the Rams.

Los Angeles signed Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency to serve as a veteran backup, and 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett does not profile as a long-term Stafford successor. The latter will thus be at the helm of the Rams’ offense for the foreseeable future with a new financial setup in place.

NFL Active Leaders In Career Earnings

July 13th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Ben Levine

Kirk Cousins‘ four-year, $180MM deal with the Falcons this season vaulted him up the list of active career earners. This was by virtue of his $50MM signing bonus, adding to the more than $231MM he earned from the Commanders and (mostly) the Vikings throughout his career. Even under the worst-case scenario, Cousins will still see at least another $50MM come his way via his contract with Atlanta, which would push his career earnings north of $331MM.

While the soon-to-be 36-year-old Cousins will surely see a significant portion of the $80MM worth of unguaranteed money on his contract, he’ll still be hard pressed to catch Aaron Rodgers on the career-earnings list. Rodgers earned more than $306MM during his long tenure in Green Bay, and he’s already made close to $37MM during his one season in New York (mostly via the $35MM signing bonus on his reworked pact).

With at least $40MM of additional guarantees coming his way from the Jets, Rodgers will continue to grow his lead as the highest-earning NFL player of all time. Both Rodgers and Matthew Stafford were able to leap Tom Brady among the NFL’s highest all-time earners over the past year.

With all that said, we’ve listed the 25 active players who have earned the most money in their NFL careers (h/t to OverTheCap.com). While this list is up to date, it doesn’t account for soon-to-realized salaries for the 2024 campaign. This list is also solely focused on NFL cash and does not include off-the-field earnings:

QB Aaron Rodgers: $343MM
QB Matthew Stafford: $328MM
QB Russell Wilson: $305MM
QB Kirk Cousins: $281MM
QB Jared Goff: $234MM
LB Von Miller: $179MM
QB Joe Flacco: $177MM
OT Trent Williams: $171MM
QB Derek Carr: $165MM
LB Khalil Mack: $162MM
QB Dak Prescott: $161MM
DL Aaron Donald: $157MM
QB Jimmy Garoppolo: $150MM
DE Calais Campbell: $143MM
QB Deshaun Watson: $142MM
QB Patrick Mahomes: $136MM
DE Joey Bosa: $134MM
DL Leonard Williams: $134MM
WR Mike Evans: $132MM
QB Carson Wentz: $130MM
WR DeAndre Hopkins: $128MM
WR Stefon Diggs: $126MM
DE Cameron Jordan: $126MM
OT Lane Johnson: $121MM
DT Chris Jones: $120MM

Latest On Rams, Matthew Stafford

June 19th, 2024 at 12:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Extended weeks after he led the Rams to a Super Bowl LVI victory, Matthew Stafford took a slight discount on his fourth NFL contract. The Rams gave him a four-year, $160MM deal in March 2022. A year later, trade rumors came up after Stafford’s injury-plagued 2022.

Stafford responded with a strong season, drawing his first non-alternate Pro Bowl invite, and led a younger Rams team to a playoff berth. The 16th-year veteran has been connected to wanting guarantees added to his contract, as none are in place beyond 2024. Sean McVay said the Rams have engaged in discussions with their quarterback.

As Stafford angles for more post-2024 security, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes he is not planning to force the issue by missing training camp time. The 36-year-old passer ended last season healthy, after needing to be managed — due to a nagging elbow injury — during the team’s 2022 training camp. Although Stafford certainly has McVay’s offense down by this point, his missing camp time would hinder the development of other players.

In terms of AAV, Stafford’s $40MM has dropped to a tie for 12th in the NFL. Thus far, the $50MM-per-year club — one that now includes Jared Goff — that formed last year does not appear to be an issue for Stafford. Following the Rams’ narrow wild-card loss to the Lions, McVay said Stafford would “100%” be the team’s 2024 starter. But adding some guarantees for 2025 would make it more difficult for the Rams to move on from their signal-caller.

Stafford’s push here also provides a good indication he plans to play a 17th season next year. The topic of retirement has come up at points for the former No. 1 overall pick, though he has brushed off the notion at multiple points. The fourth-year Ram is signed through 2026.

Stafford missing any time in camp would lead to increased reps for Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett. The latter has understandably lost momentum after spending his rookie season on the reserve/NFI list. Bennett declined to elaborate why his rookie year featured the September placement on the NFI list, but the two-time national championship-winning passer did confirm he spent last season at home. The Georgia alum did confirm (via ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop) mental health played a role in his unexpected absence. Bennett, 26, returned for Los Angeles’ offseason program.

Elsewhere on the Rams’ offense, Hunter Long returned to work late in the team’s offseason program, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue notes. The fourth-year tight end, acquired in the Jalen Ramsey trade, missed the stretch run due to a December MCL tear that required surgery. Long’s health is a bit more important for the team this year, as Tyler Higbee sustained an ACL tear in the playoff game and stands to be a candidate to start the season on the reserve/PUP list. The Rams also added ex-Seahawks contributor Colby Parkinson, giving them some more experience at tight end.

Contract Talks Between Rams, Matthew Stafford Ongoing

May 26th, 2024 at 2:22pm CST by Adam La Rose

During last month’s draft, it was learned Matthew Stafford is seeking a new Rams deal. Two years remain on his existing contract beyond 2024, but his salaries for that span are not guaranteed.

Stafford enjoyed a healthy campaign last year, rebounding from the 2022 season in which he was limited to nine games. He helped the Rams make a somewhat surprising run to the postseason, helping his leverage in contract talks. Head coach Sean McVay recently confirmed the team has been in discussion on a new deal, and that process is still unfolding.

Jourdan Rodrigue of the Athletic reports team and player are still talking in Stafford’s case (subscription required). That comes as little surprise considering McVay’s other remarks with respect to the 36-year-old’s future. Stafford has faced retirement questions in the past, but the team appears poised to keep him atop the depth chart for the foreseeable future. Working out an agreement featuring additional up front money would of course go a long way to ensuring that.

Stafford is currently set to receive salaries of $27MM and $26MM in 2025 and ’26. His cap hits for those seasons are $50.5MM and $49.5MM, though; the latter figure matches his cap charge for 2024. A new deal could lower his burden on Los Angeles’ cap sheet, although term will be a reasonable concern on the team’s part given Stafford’s age. The team has Jimmy Garoppolo as a veteran backup for this year, with 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett back in place as a developmental passer.

Much of the Rams’ success on offense this season will depend on Stafford’s level of play. Unlike a number of players angling for new deals, he has participated in Los Angeles’ OTAs, and his status will remain worth watching. As Rodrigue notes, the team generally works out contract matters such as this before training camp begins in July. It will be interesting to see if Stafford has a new agreement in place by that point.

Rams RB Kyren Williams To Miss OTAs

May 21st, 2024 at 8:39pm CST by Ely Allen

Rams running back Kyren Williams broke out in a big way during his sophomore campaign. His impressive season came to an end in the playoffs, when he exited his team’s loss to the Lions with a broken bone in his hand, but now, a “foot issue” is preventing him from participating in Los Angeles’ offseason program, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.

Williams is no stranger to injury. The Notre Dame product finished third in the NFL in rushing yards last year, behind only Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry, despite missing five games (four on injured reserve with an ankle injury, another resting in the regular season finale) in 2023. Williams led the NFL in rushing yards per game with a mark of 95.3. The surprise offensive asset figures to be an integral part of the Rams’ offense in 2024, as long as his health allows it.

Williams’ stint on IR in 2023 wasn’t his first bout with injury, either. In OTAs before his rookie season, Williams broke his foot. After working his way back from that injury in time to make his rookie debut in Week 1, Williams suffered an ankle injury in his first NFL game that caused him to miss the next seven games of the 2022 season.

Head coach Sean McVay didn’t seem too worried about the 23-year-old’s status. Though he’ll miss the team’s offseason activities, Williams is expected back in time for training camp. “It’s nothing to worry about,” McVay told the media. “He’ll be ready to go for training camp, but there’s a little issue when he was training…But nothing to be concerned about.”

Williams’ absence wasn’t the only notable attendance feature in OTAs. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was in attendance and reportedly taking part in organized team activities, despite the veteran’s current efforts to attain more guaranteed money on his current contract. The 36-year-old passer is one year through a four-year, $160MM deal, but is done earning anymore guarantees ($10MM of his 2025 base salary was guaranteed in March).

There is a benefit on the team’s part to come to a restructured deal, as well. Stafford is set to represent a cap hit of $49.5MM this season, $50.5MM in 2025, and $49.5MM in 2026. A restructured contract could serve dual purposes of both getting Stafford more guaranteed money and also lowering his cap liability in the future.

Sean McVay Addresses Matthew Stafford’s Rams Future; Stetson Bennett Back With Team

May 5th, 2024 at 3:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

Following the first round of the draft, it was learned Matthew Stafford is seeking a revised Rams contract. Specifically, the Super Bowl-winning passer is aiming to receive guarantees beyond the 2024 campaign.

Stafford is currently on the books through 2026, but his base salaries after 2024 are not guaranteed. He is also set to carry sizable cap hits over the remaining term on his deal, and an extension could lower those figures. Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed the team has been in discussion with the 36-year-old about a new arrangement. His recent stance on the matter suggests a willingness on the part of the team to make a post-2024 commitment.

“We were taking it a year at a time, but as long as he wants to play, we’re fortunate to have him as our quarterback,” McVay said during an appearance on Mad Dog Sports Radio (audio link).

Stafford has faced retirement questions in the past, but he delivered a strong performance in 2023. The former No. 1 pick made posted 3,965 yards and a 24:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio, earning him a Pro Bowl nod. Stafford helped guide the Rams to a surprising playoff appearance, and if healthy he will face considerable expectations for the foreseeable future.

Los Angeles signed Jimmy Garoppolo to serve as an experienced backup, but a renewed investment in Stafford would keep him atop the depth chart past the coming season. Injuries or retirement could change the latter’s situation in a hurry, of course, but a mutual interest between team and player to remain together over a multi-year term could produce an agreement this offseason depending on how negotiations progress.

In other Rams QB news, McVay noted (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop) that Stetson Bennett returned to the team at the onset of their offseason program. The 2023 fourth-rounder spent his rookie season on the reserve/NFI list, but the team indicated in March he was expected to be back with the team in time for spring workouts. Bennett will aim to lock down the QB3 role this offseason before potentially taking over the backup spot next year. It will be interesting to see if Stafford has a new contract in place by that point.

Rams Spoke With Matthew Stafford About Contract Resolution

April 27th, 2024 at 8:13am CST by Ben Levine

Matthew Stafford is seeking guaranteed money beyond the 2024 campaign, and it sounds like the Rams are open to working with their franchise QB on a resolution. While speaking with reporters yesterday, coach Sean McVay acknowledged that the organization has spoken with Stafford about a reworked contract.

“I’ve had good dialogue with Matthew; we’ll keep those things in-house,” McVay said (via Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic). “He’s been working with our guys, but we’ll keep those things in-house.”

In addition to speaking with Stafford, McVay also said the team’s decision makers (including himself, GM Les Snead, and vice president of football Tony Pastoors) “have been discussing the situation.”

Stafford is still playing on an $160MM extension he signed with the Rams back in 2022. The front office briefly considered trading the quarterback before locking themselves in to his near-$60MM commitment for the 2023 campaign. While the veteran has flirted with retirement in the past, he seems set to be under center for the Rams in 2024, when he’ll earn a guaranteed $31MM base salary.

Beyond that, it’s a bit murkier. Two years remain on Stafford’s deal beyond the 2024 season, but Stafford’s salaries in 2025 ($27MM) and ’26 ($26MM) are not locked in. His cap hits for those campaigns – as well as the coming one – range between $49.5MM and $50.5MM. If Stafford intends to continue playing beyond the 2024 season, it could make sense for both sides to guarantee more money while reducing the player’s upcoming cap charges.

Beyond the financials, McVay also thinks it’s important to continue showing gratitude for the quarterback who helped guide them to a Super Bowl championship.

“There’s nothing that’s more important than making sure that he feels appreciated and that he knows how much we love him and want him to lead the way,” McVay said, “and I think that commitment that I think he wants to have can be reciprocated. And we want to work toward figuring that out.”

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