Retirement rumors tend to follow him every season, but veteran Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has entered the twilight of his career. Finding a perfect replacement for the 38-year-old signal-caller will be a significant challenge for the Rams.
Why Sean McVay’s System Is the Ideal Development Scenario for J.J. McCarthy
Stafford will enter his 18th season in the NFL in 2026 and has been the Rams’ backbone over the last five seasons. Last season, Stafford confirmed his return during his 2025 NFL MVP award speech.
His backup, Stetson Bennett IV, has been named a potential trade candidate in recent weeks with only one year remaining on his contract. The Rams have one first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the 2026 QB class is thin, and they would not spend premium draft capital on a future starter.
The Rams will need a contingency plan when the veteran goes down, and Fox Sports analyst Ralph Vacchiano believes the NFC West team could have a perfect backup in the Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy.
“The Vikings sure look like they’ve moved on from the former 10th overall pick (2024) by signing Kyler Murray. Given Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell’s success rate with QBs, maybe that’s a red flag for the rest of the NFL,” Vacchiano wrote.
“But McCarthy is still young and has only 10 games of experience. He could benefit from learning under McVay on a loaded offensive team. And not only do the Rams need to start thinking about who their quarterback will be after 38-year-old Matthew Stafford is done, they have to be prepared if he breaks down this season. Right now their backup is Stetson Bennett. McCarthy would at least be an upgrade over that. And that’s important for an expected Super Bowl contender.”
McCarthy had a turbulent 2025 season with the Vikings after missing his 2024 rookie campaign due to meniscus surgery. He appeared in 10 games, throwing for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Michigan product ranked 37th in PFSN’s NFL QB Impact Metrics with a 64.5 Impact score and D grade.
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Vacchiano believes McCarthy has the potential to thrive under McVay’s system. With the arrival of Murray, McCarthy is expected to go down the pecking order in Minnesota.
The former first-round quarterback’s time in Minnesota might be over, and many believe the 23-year-old has substantial untapped potential. Trading for the former national champion will be a gamble for the Rams, but one with little risk.
