As the trade deadline approaches, several intriguing players may enter the rumor discussions.
One player that could gain attention as November 5 gets closer is Matthew Stafford.
The Rams quarterback might be in his final season with the team, regardless of whether they can turn around their 1-4 start. If the Rams can trade the rest of his 2024 contract for draft picks, and if he could have a fresh start elsewhere, it makes sense to think about it.
The difficulty lies in finding a new team. Right now, no serious contender needs a quarterback. However, it’s possible that one might by the Tuesday after Week 9.
For instance, if the Jets showed how to make Sam Darnold less effective, the Vikings should consider an upgrade if they lose to the Lions and then to Stafford’s Rams. (Interestingly, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and Stafford worked together for a year in Los Angeles and both won a Super Bowl.)
More likely, the decision will depend on injuries. There are four weekends of football left before the deadline. Just one season-ending injury could lead to Stafford finding a new team and the Rams getting a good return.
Back in 2011, the Bengals and quarterback Carson Palmer were at a standstill. Two days before the trade deadline, Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell broke his collarbone, which led to a trade for Palmer to Oakland.
It just takes one situation like that. (We won’t mention specific names to avoid any bad luck.)
That said, the Rams could still get on a winning streak. They have a bye this week, and if they win in Weeks 7, 8, and 9, they might choose to keep Stafford.
However, if they lose two of the next three games, Stafford could become a target for a trade to a contender looking to add a player who is still a top-10 quarterback.
