Matthew Stafford proved to be the missing piece the Los Angeles Rams needed to win a Super Bowl. After spending his entire career in Detroit, the veteran quarterback arrived in L.A. in 2021 and has since been one of the NFL’s top signal-callers. Showing no signs of decline, the Rams have rewarded him with a reworked contract this offseason.
However, one analyst revealed that Stafford could have secured more money from at least two other NFL teams. Despite that, the quarterback chose to remain with the Rams and restructure his deal for a figure that wouldn’t top the market — a decision that highlights his competitive mindset over chasing a bigger payday.
Matthew Stafford Chose Rams Over Two Bigger Contracts
This offseason, the Rams restructured Stafford’s contract, giving him a significant raise worth $84 million over the remaining two years of his deal. This marks a notable increase from the original two-year, $58 million extension he was on. Stafford is now set to earn an average of $44 million for the 2025 season.
NFL insider Albert Breer revealed in a column for “Sports Illustrated” that both the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders offered Stafford more lucrative contracts. Despite the higher financial offers, he chose to remain in Los Angeles with the Rams.
“The New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders were willing to go a lot further, into the area where the average on a new contract would start with a five,” Breer wrote. “[Both] were willing to exceed $100 million over the next two years, he walked away from around $20 million stay in California.”
In each of the past two seasons, the Rams made the playoffs and came close to advancing further both times. In 2023, they battled the Detroit Lions in a thrilling matchup — a team that would go on to reach the NFC Championship. Then in 2024, the Rams fell just short against the Philadelphia Eagles, having the final possession with a chance to tie or win the game.
For Stafford, the extra $20 million wasn’t the priority — it was the opportunity to contend for another Super Bowl with a roster that has successfully retooled in recent years. The additions of Braden Fiske and Jared Verse have revitalized the defensive unit, and heading into the 2025 season, the arrival of Davante Adams adds firepower to a receiving corps already headlined by breakout star Puka Nacua.
Statistically, Stafford’s performance last season didn’t turn heads — he ranked 22nd in PFSN’s QB+ Metric. Still, there’s belief that he has enough left in the tank to chase a second Super Bowl ring, a feat that would solidify his case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and cap off a highly successful career spanning over 15 years in the NFL.