BREAKING: Mathew Stafford Rejects Rams new contract, says he is…

During last month’s draft, it was learned Matthew Stafford is seeking a new Rams deal. Two years remain on his existing contract beyond 2024, but his salaries for that span are not guaranteed.

Stafford enjoyed a healthy campaign last year, rebounding from the 2022 season in which he was limited to nine games. He helped the Rams make a somewhat surprising run to the postseason, helping his leverage in contract talks. Head coach Sean McVay recently confirmed the team has been in discussion on a new deal, and that process is still unfolding.

Jourdan Rodrigue of the Athletic reports team and player are still talking in Stafford’s case (subscription required). That comes as little surprise considering McVay’s other remarks with respect to

the 36-year-old’s future. Stafford has faced retirement questions in the past, but the team appears poised to keep him atop the depth chart for the foreseeable future. Working out an agreement featuring additional up front money would of course go a long way to ensuring that.

Stafford is currently set to receive salaries of $27MM and $26MM in 2025 and ’26. His cap hits for those seasons are $50.5MM and $49.5MM, though; the latter figure matches his cap charge for 2024. A new deal could lower his burden on Los Angeles’ cap sheet, although term will be a reasonable concern on the team’s part given Stafford’s age. The team has Jimmy Garoppolo as a veteran backup for this year, with 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett back in place as a developmental passer.

Much of the Rams’ success on offense this season will depend on Stafford’s level of play. Unlike a number of players angling for new deals, he has participated in Los Angeles’ OTAs, and his status will remain worth watching. As Rodrigue notes, the team generally works out contract matters such as this before training camp begins in July. It will be interesting to see if Stafford has a new agreement in place by that point.