Matthew Stafford’s future with the Rams may be in doubt.
Just a few years after bringing a Super Bowl title to Los Angeles, there have been rumors about the 37-year-old quarterback not seeing eye-to-eye with the Rams on his contract situation.
On Saturday, new reports only added fuel to the speculation that the Rams could opt to trade Stafford this offseason.
Here’s the latest on a potential Stafford trade, plus the details to know about his contract situation and Los Angeles’ quarterback room.
MORE: Bold predictions for NFL offseason trades
Matthew Stafford trade rumors
Stafford and the Rams have had contract issues in the past. The former Lion signed a four-year with the franchise in 2022, not long after he won the Super Bowl. Last offseason, however, Stafford agreed to a re-worked contract with Los Angeles that NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero interpreted as: “Play this season and then all sides reassess.”
Now that the 2024 season has come and gone, there have already been rumors about the Rams and Stafford again not agreeing on his contract value.
On Saturday, Stafford’s agent received permission to speak with other teams about his value for a potential contract extension, Pelissero reported.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added further clarity to the report, detailing that Stafford did not request a trade. Instead, the quarterback’s agent is allowed to speak with other NFL teams about his value, a decision that was made in hopes of the Rams and Stafford getting a “better understanding” of his market, making a contract extension easier.
By allowing Stafford to engage with the market but not committing to a trade, Los Angeles can still look to bring its veteran quarterback back for the 2025 season.
For the time being, there are no official indications that the Rams will trade Stafford, who totaled 3,762 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season while leading his squad to the NFC West title. But should Los Angeles show a willingness to move on from its veteran quarterback, there would surely be some interest expressed by other quarterback-needy teams.
Matthew Stafford contract
Stafford’s 2022 deal with the Rams was worth $160 million over four years, and it lasts through the 2026 season.
His re-worked contract in 2024 included a $12.5 million signing bonus, $23.5 million guaranteed this past season and a $4 million guaranteed March roster bonus. Whether it’s as a Ram or a member of another team, Stafford has two seasons remaining on his current deal.
Here’s the breakdown of Stafford’s remaining contract, according to Spotrac:
| Season | Base salary | Bonuses | Cap hit |
| 2025 | $23,000,000 | $26,666,667 | $49,666,667 |
| 2026 | $26,000,000 | $27,666,668 | $53,666,668 |
MORE NFL OFFSEASON NEWS:
Rams QB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Matthew Stafford |
| 2 | Jimmy Garoppolo |
| 3 | Stetson Bennett |
Stafford has been the starting quarterback for Los Angeles since he was swapped for Jared Goff in a 2021 trade with the Lions. If the Rams move on from him this offseason, they wouldn’t have very reliable internal options to replace him.
Garoppolo is about to hit free agency, but was Los Angeles’ backup in 2024. He does have extensive experience as a starter, but he didn’t perform well the last time he had a starting role. In seven game appearances with the Raiders in 2023, Garoppolo totaled seven touchdowns against nine interceptions. Before then, he was the full-time starter for the 49ers and had a few strong seasons, including a run to the Super Bowl in 2019.
At this stage in his career, there aren’t many indications that Garoppolo, 33, can be a full-time starter again. He had 334 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception in his only game appearance in 2024, a Week 18 matchup in which the Rams rested their starters. If the Rams bring Garoppolo back in free agency, it could either be as a backup or as a replacement for Stafford.
Bennett, however, is under contract with the Rams through the 2026 season on his rookie deal. He has yet to appear in an NFL game after being drafted by Los Angeles in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Considering the former Georgia Bulldog has yet to hit the gridiron, it would seem unlikely the defending NFC West champions would name Bennett their starter in 2025 if Stafford is traded.
If Los Angeles moves on from Stafford, it would seem most likely that Sean McVay brings in another veteran quarterback at a cheaper price, such as Aaron Rodgers, or takes a swing on a young passer in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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