Report says there is ‘zero truth’ to Matthew Stafford trade rumor

October 15, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

A wild trade rumor regarding Matthew Stafford circulated online Tuesday, but the rumor is as bogus as it seemed.

The rumor, which was started and spread through an unreliable, attention-seeking source, stated that the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings were talking about a trade involving Stafford and Sam Darnold. Stafford is a high-paid veteran quarterback who has won a Super Bowl. Darnold is a former high draft pick who was a bust with the New York Jets but is having a resurgence with the 5-1 Vikings this season.

Even though the rumor was poorly sourced, Vikings reporter Ben Goessling still did his due diligence and checked with a source about the trade. Goessling was told there was “zero truth” to the rumor.

Checking in on the Matthew Stafford-to-the-Vikings rumors I’ve been getting lots of questions about. Source said there’s zero truth to the idea the Vikings are trying to trade for him.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) October 23, 2024

The Vikings and Rams are set to play on Thursday night in Week 8.

The Rams have been open to a Stafford trade in the past. However, the team altered his contract this summer to make him happy ahead of this season.

Stafford is signed through 2026, though he can be cut after the 2025 season for just $22.2 million in dead cap money.