Matthew Stafford is once again facing an uncertain future with the Los Angeles Rams, but it sounds like it would take a lot for the star quarterback to be traded this offseason.
Stafford has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract and is set to make just $23 million in 2025. While the Rams supposedly remain committed to him, the 37-year-old will almost certainly want a raise and/or a stronger guarantee before the start of next year.
According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, Rams head coach Sean McVay and the team’s front office want to keep Stafford for at least another year. That has not stopped teams from inquiring about the availability of Stafford.
Schultz said the belief is that the Rams would ask for a first-round pick if they were to entertain the possibility of trading Stafford.
Stafford would carry a cap hit of nearly $50 million if the Rams were to release him. That is not a viable option after he was solid again this season and led the team to the playoffs.
Though he did not produce Pro Bowl numbers, Stafford still managed to complete 65.8 percent of his passes for 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns. It makes sense that there has been trade interest in him, and it would hardly be a surprise if a QB-needy team were willing to give up a first-round pick.
The Rams are planning to try to trade veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the coming weeks. Stafford’s wife recently hinted that the quarterback is not happy about that.
Stafford has made it clear that he does not plan to retire, so his situation in L.A. will be one of the biggest storylines of the offseason until there is a solution that satisfies both sides.
