### Contract Negotiations Between Rams and Matthew Stafford Continue
During last month’s draft, news surfaced that Matthew Stafford is seeking a new contract with the Rams. Although his current deal extends beyond 2024, none of his salaries for the following two years are guaranteed. Stafford had a strong season last year, bouncing back from an injury-plagued 2022 in which he played only nine games. His performance helped the Rams make an unexpected playoff run, boosting his leverage in contract discussions. Head coach Sean McVay recently confirmed that negotiations are ongoing.
According to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, the team and Stafford are still in talks. This is expected, given McVay’s comments about the 36-year-old quarterback’s future. Despite past retirement speculations, the Rams seem intent on keeping Stafford as their starting quarterback. Securing a deal with more upfront money would help ensure his continued presence on the team.
Stafford is currently set to earn $27 million in 2025 and $26 million in 2026. However, his cap hits for those years are significantly higher at $50.5 million and $49.5 million, respectively, matching his cap hit for 2024. A new contract could reduce these cap burdens, though the Rams must consider Stafford’s age when determining the contract length. The team has Jimmy Garoppolo as a veteran backup this year, and 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett as a developmental quarterback.
The Rams’ offensive success this season will largely depend on Stafford’s performance. Unlike many players seeking new contracts, Stafford has been participating in the team’s OTAs. Rodrigue notes that the Rams typically resolve contract issues before training camp starts in July, so it will be interesting to see if Stafford secures a new deal by then.
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