The Matthew Stafford trade rumors keep heating up at the Combine, yet more than one NFL Insider believes the chances of the one-time Super Bowl champion returning to the Los Angeles Rams are very high.
Stafford remains under contract with the Rams through the 2026 season, although he has expressed dissatisfaction with his annual compensation. The 37-year-old quarterback had been seeking at least $50 million per year in a restructured contract.
NFL Insider Lays Out Reason Why Matthew Stafford Stays in LA
Stafford isn’t getting any younger and metrics analyzed by PFSN paint the picture of a quarterback in decline. Those hard truths may limit what he can get in a renegotiated contract.
However, Stafford proved his mettle in the Rams’ playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles when he was one Jalen Carter sack away from leading a game-winning drive and advancing to the NFC Championship Game. His elite arm strength showed signs of life in the clutch.
Is it enough to keep him in Los Angeles? NFL Insider Peter Schrager believes it is, adding that talks between Stafford and Rams head coach Sean McVay have been heating up over the last 24 hours. Expect those conversations to continue until the two sides find “common ground.” Stafford wants to stay in Los Angeles.
“There have been a lot of conversations in the last 24 hours between Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford directly,” Schrager reported from the Combine on NFL Network. “There is expected to be another conversation today [Feb. 28], and I would expect the more conversations they have — and it’s the two of them, it’s not the agent talking to this [person], it’s the quarterback and the coach — and the more they can talk and get on the same ground, the better chance there is that Matthew Stafford returns to the LA Rams.”
Agree with @PSchrags here: The longer this has gone on, the better the chances of Matthew Stafford returning to the #Rams. They’re the team that gives him the best shot at a second ring right now. And again, uprooting everything right now isn’t preferable. pic.twitter.com/7bGmGUKR72
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 28, 2025
Schrager went on to say that Stafford may have to “swallow it” and take a little less money to stick with the Rams. It’s better than the alternative, which is uprooting his family and moving somewhere else. Remember, the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants have been heavily linked to Stafford.
PFSN Puts Matthew Stafford at No. 22 on QB Rankings
How much does Stafford really have left in the tank? It’s up for debate. PFSN put him at No. 22 on their 2024 NFL QB Rankings, grading him at a C- for the regular season and playoffs.
The Rams are set to meet with Matthew Stafford at their facility in person today regarding his future, per sources.
The Raiders and Giants have discussed a two-year contract for Stafford that includes $90-100M guaranteed.
A decision is expected soon. pic.twitter.com/zrldYpXPlm
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) February 28, 2025
Stafford was described as “middling” for most of last season, although his ability to elevate his game in the fourth quarter was his biggest strength. He experienced the usual ups and downs of an aging quarterback in 2024.
PFSN wrote: “Stafford finished the regular season with his second-worst full-season QB+ since 2019. Both of those bottom two have come in the last three years, raising question marks about whether his career is now trailing off to a point where he might be done.
“Stafford’s numbers have been a mix across the board. He finished with a 0.07 EPA/DB but excelled from a clean pocket (0.31 EPA/DB; seventh) and struggled when pressured (-0.46 EPA/DB; 30th). He was also excellent in the fourth quarter when there was just one score separating teams (0.29 EPA/DB; sixth) but struggled on third downs (30.8% conversion rate (35th).”