Matthew Stafford spent the past four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. He was drafted as the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions before being traded to the Rams. In his debut campaign with the team, Stafford led them to a Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVI.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Stafford signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Rams. As he enters the final year of his contract, the rumor mill has been churning about his potential trade away from the team.
This NFL insider came forward to talk about the Raiders’ interest in acquiring the Rams’ quarterback.
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport Makes Feelings Clear on Raiders’ Interest in Matthew Stafford
As per reports, the Las Vegas Raiders have a keen interest in acquiring the $160 million quarterback this offseason. Minority owner and seven-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady has been in communication with Stafford’s camp, and the two also met informally at a ski resort in Montana.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport came forward to talk about the Raiders’ need for a competent quarterback. He discussed how Brady and Stafford coincidentally met in Montana and how the Raiders could be the perfect team for the quarterback’s remaining career in the NFL.
“Let’s talk about the Matthew Stafford situation,” Rapoport said. “Yes, Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford did bump into each other at Yellowstone in Montana. … That seemed to be the end of it.”
“But we have known that the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants have that interest in Matthew Stafford for some time. And considering the fact that his agent, Jimmy Saxton, does, in fact, have permission to engage with those teams and just see what his value might be if there was in fact a trade. Not allowed to negotiate trade conversation, but is allowed to discuss salary.”
“We know that Brady has been aggressive, and the Raiders have been aggressive in trying to land a quarterback. This makes sense. However, the Rams do hold the cards. They can trade him or not. They can decide what they want to pay Stafford or not. So this is not done yet with Matthew Stafford and the Rams.”
Could Matthew Stafford become a Raider? @RapSheet on potential trade talks 🔊 pic.twitter.com/z5xu7b2poR
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 27, 2025
During the 2024 season, Matthew Stafford helped the Los Angeles Rams secure a 10-7 campaign. They emerged No. 1 in the NFC West and qualified for the playoffs. However, their quest for a Super Bowl championship was thwarted following a loss to the Eagles in the divisional playoffs.
Former 2-Time Super Bowl Champ Warns Matthew Stafford About Potentially Joining the Giants
Apart from the Raiders, the New York Giants are also reported to have a potential interest in acquiring the Rams quarterback. However, on Thursday’s episode of ESPN’s “Get Up,” former two-time Super Bowl champ Damien Woody warned Stafford about joining a sinking ship.
“No way I would want to play for the New York Football Giants,” Woody said. “The New York Football Giants are a disaster. We’ve seen what happened this past year, obviously, with Saquon Barkley, the disaster that was Daniel Jones. … They can’t protect the quarterback.”
“What happens if things don’t roll your way? That whole regime could be out! Then you could be in a situation where, now, you’ve got a whole new regime coming in. I don’t want any part of that instability if I’m Matthew Stafford.”
“No way I would want to play for the New York Football Giants. The New York Football Giants are a disaster.” 😯
—@damienwoody on Matthew Stafford pic.twitter.com/vN6BF3TJRp — Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 27, 2025
The Giants had signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million extension ahead of the 2023 season. However, he showed poor performance last season, after which he was benched for Tommy DeVito.
In the end, Jones requested to be released from the team, while the Giants finished with a disastrous 3-14 campaign. To further rub salt in their wounds, their former running back Saquon Barkley, who signed with the Eagles in free agency, had an impressive debut campaign and emerged as a Super Bowl champion.