Through the Rams’ run to a few playoff appearances and a Tremendous Bowl title within the final 4 seasons, quarterback Matthew Stafford was extra invaluable than maybe another participant.
How a lot do different groups worth the 16-year veteran?
The Rams have given Stafford and his representatives permission to talk with groups about potential contract phrases ought to the Rams commerce Stafford, an individual with information of the scenario stated Saturday.
These parameters to hunt market worth differ from giving Stafford permission to hunt a commerce, stated the one that requested anonymity due to the delicate nature of the scenario.
Stafford’s scenario is probably the most urgent challenge for a Rams workforce coming off a season through which he handed for 20 touchdowns and led them to a 10-7 file. The Rams superior to the NFC divisional spherical earlier than dropping to the eventual Tremendous Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Stafford, 37, has two seasons left on the extension he signed in 2022 after main the Rams to victory in Tremendous Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. The deal reportedly included $120 million in ensures, in accordance with Overthecap.com.
However that is the second yr in a row that the Rams and Stafford’s representatives have revisited his deal, which is beneath market worth in comparison with quarterback contracts signed within the final two years.
Final yr the deadlock between the Rams and Stafford lasted till the primary day of coaching camp and ended solely when the Rams agreed to push $5 million ahead from 2025, in accordance with Overthecap.com.
Stafford is because of earn about $30 million in wage and bonuses this season — with $4 million assured — on a salary-cap variety of $49.7 million.
It’s unknown what Stafford is searching for, and what the Rams are prepared to pay, for him to fortunately return for a fifth season with the Rams and coach Sean McVay.
If the Rams had been to commerce Stafford, an instantaneous successor will not be in place.
Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo, the backup final season, was on a one-year contract and is a pending free agent. Garoppolo is accustomed to McVay’s system, however at 33 he’s not considered a long-term choice. Stetson Bennett, a fourth-round draft choose in 2023, will not be thought of a candidate to start out.
Sam Darnold, the previous USC star who led the Minnesota Vikings to the playoffs, is among the many pending free-agent quarterbacks.
Aaron Rodgers, a Tremendous Bowl champion and four-time NFL most respected participant, might be accessible. However at 41, he additionally could be a short-term answer for a workforce keen to construct on its success within the draft the final two seasons.
Stafford ranks within the prime 10 in profession passing yardage, completions and landing passes.
Stafford will not be the one Rams star who may very well be traded.
Receiver Cooper Kupp, the 2021 NFL offensive participant of the yr, introduced this month that the Rams informed him they might search to commerce him.
