The Los Angeles Rams weren’t expected to enter this offseason with quarterback drama but that’s exactly what they’ve stumbled into. Matthew Stafford’s contract situation has some wondering if the Rams will make a trade and his wife’s comments may be the tipping point to make something happen.
With the Rams’ efforts to trade Cooper Kupp has also been known, it’s fair to ask whether a full-scale rebuild is the best path instead of forging ahead with Les Snead’s “F*** them picks” mentality.
But if the Rams are looking at a quarterback, it doesn’t mean they have to start from scratch and they could be a surprising candidate to add one of the top quarterbacks in free agency.
Rams Could Be Surprising Free Agent Destination for Sam Darnold
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz wrote an article on predicting bold moves in free agency and the upcoming NFL Draft. While he didn’t have much to say about the Rams draft plans, he did weigh on on the team’s quarterback situation, suggesting the Rams should trade Stafford.
“Stafford has still got it,” Schatz wrote. “He ranked sixth in QBR two years ago and 12th last season. He’s also 37 years old with a gigantic salary cap number of nearly $50 million in 2025. There has been a lot of scuttlebutt from the NFL rumor mill about the Rams moving on from him. It fits the old adage that it is better to move on from a player a year too early than a year too late.”
Some of this is to be expected as Stafford enters 2025 with a $49.6 million cap hit and has a $53.6 million cap hit for 2026. But what some may not expect is the Rams being a top suitor for Sam Darnold as Schatz believes should happen.
“Darnold ranked 14th in QBR last season. We know from his play under Kevin O’Connell that he can thrive in a Sean McVay-influenced offensive scheme. So why not bring him into a system run by the actual Sean McVay?”
Schatz makes a tremendous point. Darnold was considered a bust this time last year and many laughed when he signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. O’Connell tapped into Darnold’s potential as the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and helped him have a career season, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record.
While Darnold imploded in the regular season finale against the Detroit Lions and a wild card matchup with the Rams, he’s only 28 and expected to earn a four-year, $160.4 million contract in free agency according to Spotrac.
The pursuit of Darnold could be complicated if the Vikings decide to use the franchise tag on him. But with J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings, Minnesota could still look for a trade. If the Rams trade Stafford, they could use part of their return to acquire his replacement and move ahead with a future option in 2025.
It’s something that some may not expect. But it’s a good solution to an unexpected problem for the Rams this offseason.