It was reported earlier this week that Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford “needs to stay in Los Angeles and play for” head coach Sean McVay amid rumors claiming the Rams may commerce Stafford since he has no assured cash left on his contract.
There’s one more signal that Stafford will not be going anyplace this offseason.
“Whereas uncertainty stays surrounding Matthew Stafford’s future with the staff, league sources are adamant that coach Sean McVay and the group wish to maintain the 37-year-old Tremendous Bowl champion,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports activities wrote for a chunk revealed Wednesday. “A number of groups, per league sources, have referred to as L.A. about Stafford and the assumption is a first-round decide would in all probability be the asking worth ought to the Rams select to make a deal.”
Such an asking worth for a signal-caller of Stafford’s age suggests the Rams haven’t any professional curiosity in buying and selling him earlier than the 2025 draft will get underway.
Schultz’s replace is hardly surprising, whatever the commerce rumors that made for some attention-grabbing social-media chatter throughout one of many quieter occasions of the soccer yr. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported throughout an look on the “Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard” podcast final week that the Rams’ “first precedence” was re-signing Stafford and that Stafford “would love” to stay with the membership for no less than one other season.
As a lot as Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets might have been interested in becoming a member of the Rams, it is comprehensible that McVay and Co. would view Stafford as Los Angeles’ most suitable choice for 2025, contemplating the opposite veteran signal-callers who will probably be accessible. In accordance with Pro Football Reference, Stafford ended this previous common season and ranked twelfth amongst certified gamers with a 64.7 adjusted QBR and twelfth with a median of 235.1 passing yards per recreation. He tossed 20 landing passes and eight interceptions over 16 contests.
“The Rams need him again (he additionally carries a $49.3M cap hit if launched) and there is been nothing so far that may counsel Stafford would not wish to play for them,” Schultz added. “…Earlier than then, the Rams and Stafford’s agent are planning to satisfy in Indianapolis to see if they will discover widespread floor.”
Whereas it is doable negotiations between Stafford’s camp and the Rams may collapse, Schultz insisted {that a} reunion is the “almost definitely final result for” this explicit saga. Which means groups beforehand linked with Stafford, such because the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers, might want to look elsewhere.
