Rams Are Going with Year to Year Approach Regarding a Key Position

The Los Angeles Rams are heading into the 2024 season looking to get back into the playoffs for the second straight campaign. They have made the postseason five times under Sean McVay.

Back in 2021, they decided to trade for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who helped them get over the top, securing Super Bowl LVI over the Cincinnati Bengals.

It's been an up-and-down battle health-wise for Stafford since then and the Rams are taking a year-to-year approach with him.

Los Angeles and Stafford agreed to terms on a revised deal that is essentially a one-year deal worth $40 million, as he gave up guarantees for the 2025 season.

Although Stafford is locked in for this season, the Rams aren't looking to guarantee anything past this year and will revisit contract talks at the end of the season.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said, "The Rams look at Stafford's future as a year-to-year proposition, per a team source. His reworked contract reflects that, pushing his 2024 pay into the $40 million range but lessening his guarantees in 2025, allowing both sides to decide whether they want to remain married at that point. This is one to watch closely: Stafford is only 36 and played like a top-five quarterback last season. The Rams believe he is still playing at a high level and would love to keep him around, but they don't know how both sides will feel at year's end."

He then added, "Maybe Stafford, who has dealt with many injuries, will want to retire. The ballooning quarterback market will undoubtedly be a factor here."

You can't really fault the Rams for taking this approach with Stafford. He's missed 10 games over the last two years and has been constantly nicked up.

But when he's on the field, the Georgia product plays at a high level. Just last season, Stafford was 11th in the league in passing (3,965), tied for 11th in passing touchdowns (24), and sixth in QBR (63.5).

He will be the starting quarterback in 2024 for sure. If he plays well, he'll be under center in 2025 but if things don't pan out, Los Angeles could be looking in a different direction for their next starting quarterback.

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