Weeks after stringing together some impressive playoff performances for the Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Matthew Stafford’s future with the team is up in the air. Whispers of his retirement have circulated in the NFL, but even if Stafford does return for next season, there are rumblings that the Rams may move on from him this offseason.
If Los Angeles’ front office does indeed decide to move on from Stafford after four years, one NFL insider predicts the Rams will sign the Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins, who is expected to be on his way out just a year after signing a four-year, $180 million deal.
Rams Predicted To Replace Matthew Stafford With Kirk Cousins
The Falcons signed Cousins hoping to bring a Super Bowl to Atlanta but benched him in favor of rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16. Cousins had ranked 28th in the league over the preceding four weeks as injuries took their toll on the aging passer.
Jason La Canfora of The Philadelphia Tribune is sure Cousins will not be in Atlanta next season and boldly predicts he will sign with the Rams if they decide to move on from Stafford.
“Make no mistake: Kirk Cousins will not be back in Atlanta next season. It will be one and done there for him after he signed that four-year, $180 million deal a year ago. However, as much as the Falcons would love to get this over with to limit any drama around quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Cousins has a no-trade clause and is in no rush for a resolution, coming off an injury-marred season. (His salary is set either way.)
“Any deal probably would require at least some contract gymnastics. This resolution will be on his terms, and after being paired with a rookie play caller in Atlanta who used him in some odd ways, bank on Cousins landing with a proven offensive coordinator.
“If the Los Angeles Rams move off Matthew Stafford — via his retirement or a trade — that would be an obvious fit schematically and otherwise. Coach Sean McVay was with Washington when Cousins was drafted.”
Stafford has been the heartbeat of Sean McVay’s offense since arriving in 2021, leading the Rams to a Lombardi Trophy in his first season with the team. However, at 37 years old and with a hefty $49.67 million cap hit for 2025, it wouldn’t be a surprise if LA decides to move on from him.
However, replacing Stafford with Cousins doesn’t seem like a long-term solution for the Rams. The 36-year-old was ranked below Stafford in PFSN’s QB+ metric and tallied nearly 200 fewer yards than Stafford.
In contrast, the bold predictions from the PFSN staff indicate that the Rams will “go from first to worst in the NFC West.” With the idea that Los Angeles will look to move on from Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the Rams look to be heading toward a rebuild. If that’s the case, adding Cousins and his hefty contract wouldn’t make much sense for the team.