The Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl LVI last month and a big part of how they got there and why they won was quarterback Matthew Stafford. And now they’re probably going to pay for it…though they’re likely more than happy to do so.
Stafford’s storybook season saw the longtime Detroit Lions QB come to LA via trade and lead the Rams to their first Super Bowl win since 1999. The veteran is entering the final year of his contract, which has a $23 million cap hit. Since Los Angeles really wants to try to hold onto as many pieces of their championship roster as possible so they can “run it back,” it’s in their best interest to sign Stafford to an extension and restructure the contract.
Per Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, doing so is a “priority” this offseason and the eventual deal “could go as high as $45 million per year.”
As detailed thoroughly in the story, most people I talked to in Indy would be surprised if it were under $40M, yet the Rams will likely push for closer to $35M and Stafford’s own input (and appreciation for the way the roster is built) may factor into a lower number. https://t.co/cjYsK7qfma
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 7, 2022
Rodrigue notes that it’s very likely the actual number could come in a bit lower, perhaps closer to $35 million per year, along with some special considerations like giving Stafford some input into how the roster evolves. While the quarterback was extremely valuable to the franchise, a $45 million per year deal would match Patrick Mahomes for the largest yearly NFL salary, which doesn’t quite sound right.
Still, even though Stafford is older at 34 years old, he’s coming off a season in which he put up 4,886 passing yards and 41 touchdowns en route to a Super Bowl win.
The massive contract numbers certainly got a lot of people talking on social media regarding whether or not the QB is worth it and what it would mean for the Rams and other NFL franchises.
The Rams went through the $45M per process last year when they had to pay Stafford’s full salary as well as the dead money due to Goff.
If the Rams get in at $35M annually, you can all consider it a MASSIVE win. Assuming it’ll be a 2-year deal with a third year option. https://t.co/z7ovgZLkwj
— Rams Brothers (@RamsBrothers) March 7, 2022
#Packers fans don't want Rodgers to read this today, that's for sure https://t.co/uAVsNzw9jW
— Rachel Hopmayer (@rachelhopmayer) March 7, 2022
#Rams could be in cap hell soon https://t.co/ahrG7ZOwAO
— Real Take: No Holds Barred Sports (@RealTakeNHB) March 7, 2022
Cap jail!!!!!!!! https://t.co/nsPNHXsBHH
— Chris Curtis (@_ChrisCurtis) March 7, 2022
Between Von Miller’s cryptic social media posts and the need to figure out Aaron Donald’s and Odell Beckham Jr’s situation, the Rams certainly have their hands full this off-season. If they can get Matthew Stafford sorted out and relieve some of their cap concerns, it’ll go a long way towards them running it back.