One report from March claimed that quarterback Matthew Stafford could’ve earned roughly “$15M more per year” had he orchestrated a trade from the Los Angeles Rams to either the New York Giants or Las Vegas Raiders following the 2024 season. Stafford instead worked out an agreement to remain with the Rams through at least the 2025 campaign.
While speaking with reporters on Monday, Stafford indicated that he always wanted to stay with what’s been his NFL home since 2021.
“It’s not one thing that sits there and goes, ‘Hey, this is the reason. There’s one thing that makes me want to come back.’ There are so many positive things about our organization and about our team,” Stafford said, as shared by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “I never really wanted to leave. I’m just happy to be back and happy that the Rams want me back. We can move forward and hopefully have a great season.”
Shortly after the Rams confirmed in March that Stafford was staying put, both he and head coach Sean McVay acknowledged that the two sides could have similar contract-related conversations next winter. Stafford turns 38 years old in February 2026, and it became clear following Los Angeles’ divisional round playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles this past January that the Rams didn’t want to make a long-term commitment to the veteran.
“I’m a fan of the NFL,” Stafford said about exploring a trade to either the Giants or Raiders. “I know a lot of these coaches, a lot of the players, a lot of the teams and some of their situations. You poke your head around and see what’s going on. Wanting to be back with the Rams was my No. 1 priority, and glad that worked out so I don’t have to worry too much about it.”
Stafford suggested in January he feels he still has plenty of meaningful football left in the tank after he was the subject of retirement rumors from the fall of 2022 through early 2024. Unless he feels differently next offseason, he may have to be willing to end his career with a different organization in the event that the Rams want to go with a younger option at that time.
