3 reasons why Rams need to move on from Matthew Stafford

With Los Angeles Rams now concluded after losing to the Eagles in the divisional round, they should quickly sort out negotiations with quarterback Matthew Stafford.

3 reasons why Rams need to move on from Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford (Image via FirstSportz)

Matthew Stafford stands at the precipice of a big decision. He is 36 and coming off a season that ended in the Los Angeles Rams’ divisional-round loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Stafford’s wife Kelly Stafford, revealed that her husband has carried a bruised rib since the Rams’ Week 15 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

YouTube video

[Matthew Stafford] cracked four ribs. But just didn’t really let anyone in to know really much about it. [He] continued his everyday process like nothing was wrong, would come home and be miserable.

Kelly Stafford said

Stafford’s performance slowly deteriorated toward the end of the regular season, but he still led the Rams to a five-game winning streak that rolled over to the wildcard, beating the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings. He threw 19 completions for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns but digested 7 sacks.

FS Video

In the NFC Divisional Round loss against the Eagles, he threw 300+ yards and 2 touchdowns, but the Rams had several turnovers and Saquon Barkley recorded 200+ rushing yards and 2 touchdowns from 26 carries, leading the Eagles to a 22-28 win.

The Rams and Stafford’s season ended, giving birth to possible retirement rumors. Although the former first-overall pick remains undecided about retiring, the latest social media post from Kelly turned a lot of heads.

Aren’t enough words to express how proud I am. I joke about us being old and tired but honestly, I could never get tired of watching you out there or watching our girls cheer for their daddy. I’m wondering if this is the end or not… guess we will find out.

Kelly Stafford wrote via People
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Rams must think hard about bringing back Matthew Stafford

1.  Stafford is as tough as they come, but at some point, the Rams should look for an alternative. They can start early, even before the offseason kicks in. Unlike the Jets or the Cowboys, they don’t have a headache regarding the coaching positions. Sean McVay is one of the best coaches in the league and most likely a long-term project.

3 reasons why Rams need to move on from Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford (Image via IMAGO)

Stafford turns 37 in February, and he restructured his contract in a way that both can go their separate ways or come to the negotiating table and discuss an extension. He gave up his 2025 guarantees in the restructured contract, allowing him to pocket $23.5 million instead of an initial $12.5 million in 2024.

Moreover, he has a $4 million signing bonus due on March 12, which he would prefer to claim before making a decision. Additionally, he has a $4 million roster bonus in 2025 and a $5 million bonus in 2026 to gain from the current deal, which isn’t much unless the Rams agree to a new deal. If he doesn’t see any benefits of coming back from another year, then it’s better to look for another team.

2.   The Rams already have a Bridge quarterback in their ranks. 2x Super Bowl winner Jimmy Garoppolo signed a one-year deal worth $3,178,750 with the Rams last year, playing as the backup to Stafford, and made one appearance in the Rams’ final game of the season.

His base salary of $1.21 million was fully guaranteed, and he also got a $1.97 million signing bonus. There are 41 quarterbacks in the league with a larger cap hit compared to Garoppolo, so squeezing out a couple of years makes sense by offering him a minimal prove-it contract.

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Moreover, they have former Georgia QB and 2x CFP Champion Stetson Bennett waiting since 2023 for a chance. He has had plenty of time to learn McVay’s tactics, making him an ideal solution if Stafford leaves. McVay can also keep him as a backup for one more year, and Garoppolo can start in the 2025 season.

3.     According to Spotrac, the Rams have $49 million in cap space. With several notable players entering free agency they must bolster the squad before deciding on the quarterback. OT Alaric Jackson, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, WR Demarcus Robinson, WR Tutu Atwell, OT Joseph Noteboom, LB Christian Rozeboom, DE Michael Hoecht, DL Bobby Brown III, LB Troy Reeder, WR Tyler Johnson, TE Hunter Long, DL Neville Gallimore, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, and S John Johnson are all out of contract in 2025.

Moreover, wide receiver Cooper Kupp only has $5 million guaranteed in his deal. Unless the Rams front office lets them join free agency, a chink of the money would be used to re-sign some of them. If Stafford agrees to another cut-price deal then the Rams should bring him back otherwise, it’s better to inject some new blood.

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