Today, the Los Angeles Rams are hosting a critical meeting with their star quarterback, Matthew Stafford, at their practice facility in Woodland Hills, California. The 37-year-old Super Bowl champion’s future with the team hangs in the balance as both sides seek to resolve ongoing contract discussions and chart a course for the 2025 NFL season. This meeting, first reported by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, could mark a turning point for the Rams, who are navigating a complex offseason following a rollercoaster 2024 campaign.
The Context: Stafford’s Stellar Career and Contract Stalemate
Matthew Stafford, acquired by the Rams in a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Lions in 2021, has been nothing short of transformative for the franchise. In his debut season with Los Angeles, he led the team to a Super Bowl LVI victory, cementing his legacy as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. Since then, Stafford has continued to showcase his arm talent and resilience, even amidst injury setbacks. In 2024, he threw for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 16 regular-season games, followed by a stellar postseason performance—533 yards and four touchdowns across two playoff games—despite a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round.
However, Stafford’s current contract, a four-year, $160 million deal signed in 2022, has become a point of contention. With a $49.3 million cap hit looming for 2025 and no guarantees beyond this year, Stafford is reportedly seeking a new deal that reflects his value—rumored to be in the range of $50 million annually, aligning with the league’s top quarterbacks. Rams are expected to offer Stafford a one-year deal in the $40 million range. The Rams, meanwhile, have allowed Stafford and his representatives to gauge his market value by speaking with other teams, a move that has fueled speculation about a potential trade.
Today’s Meeting: What’s at Stake?
The meeting at the Rams’ facility today is poised to address these unresolved tensions. Sources indicate that head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead are eager to retain Stafford, viewing him as the linchpin of their immediate competitive window. McVay has publicly expressed his desire to keep Stafford, emphasizing their “all-time type of friendship” and stating there’s “no doubt” he wants him as his quarterback. Yet, the financial realities of Stafford’s demands, coupled with the team’s long-term planning, complicate the situation.
Reports suggest that Stafford’s camp has already explored options with teams like the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants, both of whom have reportedly discussed two-year contracts in the $90-100 million range with significant guarantees. This external interest underscores Stafford’s enduring value at age 37, particularly given his postseason heroics and ability to elevate an offense. For the Rams, trading Stafford would incur a hefty $45.3 million dead cap hit in 2025 and nearly $23 million in 2026, making retention the more financially palatable option—provided they can meet his salary expectations.
The Rams are set to meet with Matthew Stafford at their facility in person today regarding his future, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) February 28, 2025
The Raiders and Giants have discussed a two-year contract for Stafford that includes $90-100M guaranteed.
A decision is expected soon. pic.twitter.com/zrldYpXPlm
The Rams’ Perspective
From the Rams’ standpoint, today’s discussions are about more than just money. McVay has acknowledged the need to balance short-term contention with long-term stability, noting that the team is “putting together a short- and long-term puzzle.” With Stafford’s backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, set to become a free agent and third-stringer Stetson Bennett untested, the Rams lack a clear succession plan. Moreover, the potential trade of wide receiver Cooper Kupp adds another layer of uncertainty to an offense that relies heavily on Stafford’s precision and leadership.
McVay’s comments suggest optimism about finding a resolution. He has highlighted the “great dialogue” with Stafford, hinting at a collaborative approach to today’s talks. The Rams’ brass likely aims to use Stafford’s market feedback to negotiate a compromise—perhaps a restructured deal with additional guarantees that keeps him in Los Angeles without breaking the bank.
Here's my very latest on the Rams, Matthew Stafford, and there things stand at the moment. pic.twitter.com/uxJio0uep7
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) February 28, 2025
Stafford’s Leverage and Legacy
For Stafford, today’s meeting is a chance to secure his financial future while cementing his legacy with the Rams. His performance in 2024, including a playoff run hampered only by cracked ribs sustained in Week 15, proves he remains a top-tier quarterback. His 45 career game-winning drives—seventh-most since 1970—underscore his clutch ability, a trait the Rams have leaned on repeatedly.
Stafford’s reported encounter with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady in Montana earlier this week, deemed permissible by the NFL, highlights his desirability. Yet, his history with the Rams—delivering their second Super Bowl title in franchise history—may weigh heavily in his decision-making. At 37, with a family rooted in Los Angeles, Stafford may prioritize stability over a late-career move, provided the Rams meet him halfway.
What Could Happen Next?
Several outcomes are possible from today’s meeting:
- Contract Resolution: The Rams and Stafford agree on a reworked deal, likely with added guarantees for 2025 and beyond, ensuring he remains the team’s quarterback for at least another season.
- Trade Talks Intensify: If the sides can’t bridge the gap, the Rams may entertain trade offers, with the Raiders, Giants, or even a dark-horse team like the Pittsburgh Steelers in the mix. A first-round pick is rumored to be the asking price.
- Stalemate Persists: Both parties could leave the meeting without a resolution, pushing the saga into the into March with a resolution or trade is coming over the next few weeks.
- Outcome: Rams work out a one year deal in the $40-$45 million range and Stafford remains with the Rams.
The Bigger Picture
Today’s meeting isn’t just about Stafford—it’s about the Rams’ identity moving forward. With a 10-7 record in 2024 and a playoff berth, Los Angeles remains a contender in the NFC West. Losing Stafford could signal a rebuild, a risky move for a franchise that has thrived on bold trades and veteran leadership under McVay and Snead. Retaining him, however, locks in their commitment to winning now, even as they grapple with an aging core and limited draft capital.
As the clock ticks toward free agency in March, the outcome of this Woodland Hills summit will reverberate across the NFL. For Rams fans, it’s a day of cautious hope; for Stafford, it’s a defining moment in a Hall of Fame-caliber career. By the end of February 28, 2025, clarity may finally emerge on whether the quarterback who brought a championship to L.A. will stay to chase another—or take his talents elsewhere.
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