Matthew Stafford might be eyeing a bigger payday, but leaving the Los Angeles Rams for a fatter paycheck could be his biggest fumble yet. With whispers of a potential exit circling, one NFL analyst isn’t holding back, calling it a “huge, huge mistake” if Stafford lets money lead the way.
Sure, chasing the bag sounds tempting, but walking away from a solid setup in L.A. could backfire pretty fast.
Colin Cowherd Gives Warning to Matthew Stafford Amid 2025 Offseason Uncertainty
Stafford’s name is heating up the NFL rumor mill again – this time, it’s not about his arm but his wallet.
NFL analyst Colin Cowherd didn’t mince words on “The Herd,” calling it a “huge, huge mistake” if Stafford ditches the Rams in pursuit of a bigger payday.
“Matt, you’ve made a lot of money. You’ve made $360 million. If you sign $40 million for two years, you end up making close to $450 million, and you get a Super Bowl – and I’m serious here – Rams for the next two years with Stafford are in the Super Bowl bubble,” Cowherd said.
"Rams for the next two years with Stafford are in the Super Bowl bubble… For him to leave that would be a huge mistake."
— @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/75N0rTvZv6
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 24, 2025
But money isn’t everything; legacy matters. Cowherd argued that the Rams, with Stafford at the helm, are still firmly in the “Super Bowl bubble” for the next two seasons. Leaving that behind for a few extra million could derail not just his chances of another Lombardi Trophy but also his long-term reputation as a franchise legend.
Sure, chasing the bag might sound tempting, but as Cowherd subtly hinted, walking away from a championship-ready squad could haunt Stafford later. The Rams have the pieces to stay competitive, and Stafford remains their lynchpin.
The bottom line is that the money will come either way. But walking away from the Rams’ winning window? That’s a risk even $450 million might not cover.
John Middlekauff Believes Stafford Should Prioritize Legacy Over Money
Stafford’s next move could define the twilight of his career, and not everyone thinks chasing more cash is the right call.
NFL analyst John Middlekauff agreed the Rams’ QB should settle for a two-year, $40 million deal instead of hunting for a bigger payday elsewhere. Why? Stafford’s already stacked up a jaw-dropping $364.3 million in career earnings (including $219 million from his Detroit days and $145 million with the Rams).
Middlekauff argues that Stafford, already having “Peyton Manning-level money” in the bank, should focus on legacy over loot. After “wasting over a decade” in Detroit with little to show for it, staying with a Super Bowl-caliber Rams roster is his best shot at another ring.
“It doesn’t get any better than the Rams. I would have stopped this conversation. I will do whatever it takes. Let’s do a two-year deal for like $40 million guaranteed every penny. I want to be here. I’m going to go Brady,” said Middlekauff on the Colin Cowherd Podcast.
The Rams seem to agree, up to a point. They’re wary of overpaying an aging QB, having learned hard lessons from past deals. Still, if Stafford follows the Tom Brady blueprint of taking less for team success, a new chapter of Lombardi Trophy runs could be on the horizon.