Matthew Stafford’s recent loss to the Rams could be his final game with the team. After the divisional-round playoff loss to the Eagles, Stafford was asked about his future. He looked at his watch, mentioned the game had just ended, and said he would “take some time to think about it,” according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com.
If his time with the Rams is over, his NFL career is far from finished. Stafford, who was drafted first overall in 2009, is still confident in his abilities. “I feel like I was playing some pretty good ball,” he said. When asked if he had more to offer, he responded, “Sure feels like it.”
At 36 years old, Stafford has two years left on his current contract. This includes a $4 million fully guaranteed roster bonus due in March, along with a non-guaranteed $23 million salary for next season. While his contract is below the current market rate for top quarterbacks, Stafford’s performance remains high.
Earlier in the year, the Rams adjusted Stafford’s contract. This was partly due to underlying tensions between the team and player, which had been brewing since the draft when the Rams did not select a first-round pick to eventually replace him. After a rough 1-4 start, rumors circulated that Stafford might want a trade.
However, the Rams turned things around and managed to win the NFC West and a Wild Card playoff game before losing to the Eagles.
The Rams’ trade for Stafford, which involved sending quarterback Jared Goff and multiple draft picks to Detroit, paid off with a Super Bowl win in the 2021 season. However, following the 2022 season, there were hopes that the Jets might trade for him, especially if their efforts to acquire Aaron Rodgers from the Packers fell through.
The Rams are currently in a rebuilding phase, with a focus on developing a young defense and offensive stars like running back Kyren Williams and receiver Puka Nacua. Coach Sean McVay might be considering bringing in a younger quarterback to lead the team moving forward.
When McVay was asked about Stafford’s future, he declined to comment, saying, “I’m not really interested in talking about anything as it relates to next year.” This is similar to how McVay handled questions about defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who unexpectedly retired in March after ten seasons in the NFL.
As the offseason progresses and teams begin looking for new quarterbacks, Stafford could become a sought-after option. The Rams themselves might also find themselves in the market for a new quarterback, depending on how the situation plays out with Stafford.
