Rams make bold decision on Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford’s future with the LA Rams was thrown into uncertainty on Saturday when a number of sources reported that the quarterback had been given permission to talk to different groups.

Stafford, now 37, signed a profitable contract extension in March 2022 following the crew’s triumph at Tremendous Bowl LVI. Forward of the 2024 season the Rams needed to rework that deal considerably and an analogous restructuring could be wanted to maintain him for 2025.

“I’m positive happy with the physique of labor and actually happy with the way in which that he’s performed,” McVay stated of the Stafford uncertainty. “I feel the good factor you may say about Matthew is he shines the brightest on the largest phases.”

“If you take a look at the seven playoff video games that he’s performed in since he’s been a Ram, he actually offers you an opportunity each time you step out on the sector, and for that, I’m positive appreciative.”

The Rams completed the 2024 season in first place within the NFC West and made it to the divisional spherical of the postseason, dropping to eventual Tremendous Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles. It wasn’t a nasty season from McVay’s crew, however they’ve work to do forward of the brand new marketing campaign.

Ought to the Rams retain Matt Stafford?

Stafford stays probably the most constant and productive quarterbacks within the league however his advancing age means that he’s actually on the decline. The No. 1 choose from the 2009 NFL Draft may entice a giant supply from elsewhere to see out the rest of his present deal nevertheless it’s not clear if he would significantly take into account a transfer away from LA.

Former Rams quarterback Kurt Warner spoke concerning the state of affairs earlier this week, arguing that the entrance workplace must resolve on a roadmap for the subsequent couple of years. If they’re constructing a ‘win-now’ roster then Stafford has apparent worth, but when they’re specializing in the longer term then retaining the companies of a 37 12 months outdated makes little sense.

“I feel a lot of selections like that turn into do you are feeling that your crew might be aggressive for the subsequent couple of years?” Warner defined. “Matt [Stafford], he’s a top-five, top-seven quarterback within the league at this level, regardless of the place you need to stack him up.”

Each Stafford and the Rams will hope that the state of affairs might be resolved extra swiftly than final 12 months, when the discussions dragged on into the postseason preparations. The reworked contract wasn’t truly agreed till the day that Stafford reported to coaching camp forward of the brand new season.

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