Matthew Stafford is the latest quarterback linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. The veteran is currently under contract with the Los Angeles Rams but has been given permission to talk with other teams.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan addressed several topics during this week’s NFL combine, including his team’s rumored interest in the 37-year-old Super Bowl champion.
Steelers GM Addresses ‘Fake News’ Regarding Rams QB Matthew Stafford
The NFL offseason is one of mad speculation, some of which turn out to see the light, while some remain buried.
The Steelers rarely tip their hand and today was no different when an NFL insider attempted to gauge the team’s interest in Stafford.
“I’m not going to comment on specific players or things that are out there,” Khan told NFL insider Jarrett Bailey during the NFL combine. “The one thing I’ve learned is that there’s a lot of fake news out there. That’s just part of what we do, but there’s a lot of fake news out there. I’ll say that all options are on the table until we address our quarterback position.”
I asked Steelers GM Omar Khan if there was any interest in adding Rams QB Matthew Stafford via trade pic.twitter.com/fSCPqQiDYN
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) February 25, 2025
Steelers Face Several Hurdles in Potential Trade for Stafford
Acquiring Stafford presents a lot of challenges, as he’s under contract with the Rams through the 2026 season.
The first obstacle is Stafford’s availability. Would the Rams be willing to trade him, or would he only become an option if they release him? The Steelers must determine what Los Angeles would demand in return if it’s a trade.
“Good Morning Football” NFL analyst Peter Schrager (close friend of head coach Sean McVay) believes Stafford would seek a $50 million contract.
“Those guys have a strong relationship,” Schrager said on the Feb. 24 episode of GMFB of Stafford and the Rams. “This is a money issue. Matthew Stafford wants to be paid what he thinks he is worth. He wants to be paid more than $50 million. The Rams have given Stafford and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, the freedom to go seek out what would be some teams of interest who would be willing to pay him.”
NFL Network’s Peter Schrager is a friend of Sean McVay's, so anytime he talks about the Rams, it’s worth a listen.
On Monday, Schrager provided the latest update on the Matthew Stafford contract situation, and it doesn’t sound like much progress has been made, if any. pic.twitter.com/ucXWV7S6WF
— RambLAng Man (@RambLAngMan) February 24, 2025
Additional speculation is the trade package would need to involve a first-round draft pick.
If Stafford is released — an unlikely possibility — Pittsburgh could face competition from other quarterback-needy teams willing to offer lucrative deals.
The Steelers must also consider their roster. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields remain options, and re-signing Fields could be more cost-effective. Fields’ age, potential, and familiarity with the system might outweigh the benefits of adding a veteran like Stafford.
Steelers Insider Squashes Stafford to Steelers Rumors
Just as rumors of the Steeler’s interest in the veteran quarterback intensified, an insider distinguished the flame.
“The Steelers have not made a decision on which QB they will retain — or if they will bring in another — but they have been having discussions with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields,” Gerry Dulac, Steelers insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette posted on X. “GM Omar Khan said the team is considering all options as it prepares for free agency.”
That includes possible trade for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been given permission to talk to other teams to gauge his market value. The Steelers have not talked to Stafford and it is unlikely they would pay more than his current salary ($27 million) anyway. https://t.co/WNE5rriWoD
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) February 25, 2025
“That includes a possible trade for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been given permission to talk to other teams to gauge his market value. The Steelers have not talked to Stafford, and it is unlikely they would pay more than his current salary ($27 million) anyway.”
Per Khan, Pittsburgh’s first order of business is signing one of their quarterbacks before they test free agency, as what they do there determines everything else. The 2025 NFL free agency period officially opens at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 12.