The Los Angeles Rams are entering what is projected to be a busy offseason, and there are rumblings of discontent under center. Not only is Cooper Kupp officially on the trade block, but reports about quarterback Matthew Stafford being on the move are making the rounds aplenty.
Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed reports that they had permitted Stafford’s agent to talk to other teams, which has left fans worried about the quarterback who led them to the Super Bowl in 2021.
Rams Fans Worried as Sean McVay Confirms Matthew Stafford’s Future Is Uncertain
Stafford was his usual self during the regular season, tallying 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns. However, his play in the absence of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua wasn’t ideal, leading to a QB+ score of 71.9, good for 22nd in the league.
Other than the volume of passing yards, Stafford didn’t stand out as impressive in this game, which was his second-worst full-season QB+ since 2019. Both of those bottom two have come in the last three years, raising questions about whether his career is now trailing off.
That’s likely why the Rams have decided to gauge his market value and see what they can get in return. However, McVay did say that their first goal was to keep him.
“There is no dispute — and let’s not get it twisted in regarding to anybody wanting him to be our quarterback. Now, there’s layers to it. You have to be able to say, ‘Hey, how do we continuously build? How do we support him? How do we make sure that he’s getting what is his worth relative to those things?'” he said on the “Fitz & Whit” podcast.
“There does have to be an element of understanding, well, what does that future look like without this freakin’ G that’s been our quarterback for the last four years?
“And there’s no wrong or right way to go about it, but I do think for us to be able to make the most educated decision in terms of the cash budget that we operate on, the draft comp that you would get in return, you just need to be able to have all the parameters to at least explore it,” said McVay.
“Don’t have to do anything in secret, want to make sure that we’re all abreast of the situation, even though the first goal in mind is to have you come back here as the quarterback.”
This is excellent, transparent insight from Sean McVay on the Matthew Stafford situation. Nice work, @fitzandwhit. pic.twitter.com/rxZIYGbD0U
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 26, 2025
While McVay insisted twice that Stafford was their priority, fans were left wondering about Stafford’s future in Los Angeles.
“Seems like Stafford’s outta there,” one fan wrote.
Seems like Stafford's outta there
— Frankie from Flatbush (@FlatbushFrankie) February 26, 2025
Another fan felt sorry for Stafford and claimed the Rams were just waiting to find the right partner.
“Oh man, a lot of hedging by McVay there, that sounds like he’s gone and they’re just trying to figure out all the particulars. I was thinking he’s coming back but after that I may be in the ‘he’s gone’ camp again,” they wrote.
Oh man, a lot of hedging by McVay there, that sounds like he’s gone and they’re just tying to figure out all the particulars. I was thinking he’s coming back but after that I may be in the “he’s gone” camp again.
— Critical Chris (@criticalcarra) February 25, 2025
One non-Rams fan suggested that McVay and Stafford were trying to break up “as pleasantly as possible.”
“Not a rams fan but it sounds like mcvay & stafford are trying to break up as pleasantly as possible by doing right by him while to get as many draft picks as they can to build for future. Seems like rams want to step back go young & take a shot at a long term solution.”
Not a rams fan but it sounds like mcvay & stafford are trying to break up as pleasantly as possible by doing right by him while to get as many draft picks as they can to build for future. Seems like rams want to step back go young & take a shot at a long term solution
— Cj (@Cj69442004) February 26, 2025
Here are some more reactions:
“Finally finished the McVay episode of the Fitz and Whit pod. It’s clear by the words McVay uses that the Rams want Stafford, but it’s also clear that they are prepared to stand their ground and let him walk if they can’t agree on a comfortable number for both sides,” a fan posted.
“The fact that he references sleepless night multiple times, mentions getting draft capital to continue ‘building,’ and questions whether they would be able to surround him…. Tells me Stafford is gone assuming they get what they want compensation wise,” one fan suggested.
Meanwhile, the Rams are in a tricky situation with Stafford, and if they can convince a trade partner to process a Stafford deal after June 1, then Los Angeles would have dead money hits of $22.7 million in both 2025 and 2026.
Under a post-June 1 scenario, the Rams would save $27 million in cap space this year and $31 million next year. However, an acquiring team would not have Stafford for OTAs and most of their minicamp practices if he’s not traded until after June 1.
In terms of draft assets, the Rams won’t have their second-round pick after trading up last year to select defensive tackle Braden Fiske. However, they do hold an extra third-round compensatory pick, awarded due to the Atlanta Falcons hiring Raheem Morris as their head coach.
However, replacing Stafford won’t be easy. Since he arrived in 2021, the Rams have ranked sixth, seventh, and 11th in Offense+ during his healthy seasons, and unless they feel comfortable handing the reins over to Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, or a rookie, figuring out a solution with Stafford is likely their best bet.