Analysis

Interest in Stafford as a potential trade acquisition appeared to have been building significant momentum during the week of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, with the Giants and Raiders headlining the list of suitors, but the veteran signal-caller has ultimately agreed to stick with the Rams and head coach Sean McVay, as confirmed by the team's official social media accounts. Further details regarding Stafford's restructured contract should arrive in short order, but it seems probable both sides agreed to a mutually beneficial short-term, potentially front-loaded deal. The 37-year-old's continued tenure in Los Angeles is a positive development for the fantasy stock of both Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, as it preserves key continuity in McVay's offensive scheme, though Cooper Kupp seemingly remains on the trade block.

Analysis

According to Russini, both the Giants and Raiders have already met with Stafford and discussed two-year deals that include $90-to-$100 million guaranteed, and a decision is expected soon. The new league year kicks off in two weeks, and it would be safe to assume everyone involved here would like to have a resolution by that time. The Rams allowed Stafford to talk to teams and dictate his market and worth. Stafford is likely looking for a substantial raise on the $40 million per year he's currently making. It's difficult to see him not getting that.

Analysis

Stafford met with the Giants at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, and the veteran quarterback also had what's been termed as an "unplanned" meeting with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady in Montana recently, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Rams gave Stafford permission to speak to other teams with the two sides having yet to come to agreement on a number regarding his next contract. Stafford is under contract for two more seasons with the Rams, but he wants a new deal that includes a raise and guaranteed money. It's possible he's angling for a deal worth at least $50 million annually, which would put him in the upper tier of quarterbacks; he's currently the league's 15th-highest-paid signal caller at $40 million per year.

Analysis

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Friday that the Rams recently gave Stafford's agent permission to talk with other teams to help assess the QB's value. The idea, it would seem, is for the Rams to figure out if they're willing to pay Stafford as much as another team would, which can move negotiations forward (or not). His contract was also an issue last offseason, when Stafford had three years remaining without any guaranteed money. The Rams adjusted his contract in July, but now they have a similar situation at hand, with Stafford scheduled to make $27 million and $31 million for the final two years of his contract. Those figures are way below market value for a competent starting QB, but that's partially because Stafford received a huge signing bonus in 2022 and a restructure bonus in 2024, which is reflected in his cap hits for the next two seasons ($49.7 million and $53.7 million). An extension would allow the Rams to lower those cap hits while making Stafford happy, but it would also mean adding to the eventual dead-money cap charge when he's retired or released. Stafford turned 37 earlier in February, and right now it's not clear he'll be back in Los Angeles for 2025.

Analysis

Stafford sustained the injury in Week 15 against the 49ers but continued to play without missing a beat, though he was rested along with other key Rams starters in the Week 18 regular-season finale. He aggravated the injury early in the 28-22 NFC divisional-round loss to the Eagles but didn't miss a snap. Stafford said after the loss to Philadelphia that "it sure feels like" he has more football left in him, per Nick Shook of NFL.com. Retirement doesn't seem to be on the 36-year-old quarterback's mind, and assuming he plans to resume his NFL career, Stafford will have plenty of time for his ribs to heal in the offseason.

Analysis

Stafford connected with Tyler Higbee for a four-yard touchdown on the Rams' first drive, then set up a field goal in the second quarter with a 48-yard deep ball to Demarcus Robinson. Both offenses slowed down for a while after that as the snow started coming down, and Stafford had the Rams' second lost fumble in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter as the Eagles built a 28-15 lead before Stafford responded with a four-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 2:48 left. Los Angeles got the ball back just 25 seconds later, and Stafford drove the team down to the 13-yard line before a sack and incomplete pass ensured the comeback bid came up short. Stafford exceeded his previous single-game season high in passing yards Sunday, but his campaign still came to an end after he posted 3,762 yards and a 20:8 TD:INT in the regular season and added 533 passing yards with a 4:0 TD:INT in the postseason. Barring the scenario of Stafford deciding to retire, he'll be back in Los Angeles for his age-37 season in 2025.

Analysis

Stafford got off to a blazing start during the convincing win, recording completions of 27 and 23 yards to Puka Nacua and Tyler Higbee, respectively, on his first pair of throws. The veteran signal-caller connected on all six pass attempts during the crisp opening possession, which he capped off with a five-yard scoring toss to Kyren Williams. Stafford subsequently connected with Davis Allen for a 13-yard scoring strike just before halftime as well, and although the offense slowed down considerably in the second half, the quarterback already laid the groundwork for an impressive victory. Stafford and the Rams now will ready themselves for the challenge presented by a road divisional-round clash versus the Eagles on Sunday afternoon.

Analysis

Jimmy Garoppolo will make the start, with Stafford and other key players resting in preparation for a wild-card-round matchup with the Packers, Buccaneers or Falcons. Stetson Bennett is set to dress as the backup to Garoppolo, leaving Stafford as the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback for Week 18.

Analysis

While they can claim the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs with a win over the Seahawks, the Rams are already assured no worse than the fourth seed -- and the home game in the wild-card round that comes with it -- after having already clinched the NFC West title. McVay suggested that he'll prioritize resting the team's top players and avoiding injuries for Week 18 rather than going all in on securing the No. 3 seed, an approach similar to the ones the Rams took in 2017 and 2023, when the team had little at stake in regular-season finales. While McVay didn't specifically mention that Stafford would sit out, the coach said that he was excited to see what backup Jimmy Garoppolo could do in his first extended snaps as a member of the Rams. The Rams also have a third quarterback in Stetson Bennett on the roster, so Stafford will most likely be a healthy inactive for the matchup with the Seahawks rather than suiting up as Garoppolo's top backup.