Update: The Rams reportedly agreed to terms to keep Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles. What follows is the initial story after rumors of a potential deal.
The Los Angeles Rams have endured a wild offseason amid rampant rumors that they were looking to trade Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford. With no obvious replacement on the roster despite what the organization tells us, any trade would indicate the team intends to launch a full rebuild for the future.
Guys like Aaron Rodgers have been floated as potential acquisitions should a move happen, though Stafford is fairly obviously the best option available for 2025.
Stafford is already 37 years old but is still playing great football, and one new report indicates the Rams are now leaning toward keeping him instead of pushing forward with a trade.
Matthew Stafford returning to the Rams “feels more likely” than a few days ago when it “appeared he was set to leave,” per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/DdiyNbmneo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 28, 2025
Rams Now More Likely to Keep Matthew Stafford in 2025
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the idea of Stafford returning to the Rams now "feels more likely" than it did a few days ago when it "appeared he was set to leave."
For the short-term future of Los Angeles, keeping Stafford is an easy call. While it seems clear the franchise is trying to move on from Cooper Kupp, Stafford has a connection with Puka Nacua that makes the offense capable of hanging with anyone. Despite the Philadelphia Eagles dominating in the playoffs, the Rams were just 14 yards away from knocking them off in the Divisional Round.
Stafford could've easily led Los Angeles to another Super Bowl with one or two more successful plays. That's not the kind of team you blow up, even though it's aging.
The most logical option for the front office would be to draft a young quarterback to learn behind Stafford and develop under Sean McVay. Once Stafford eventually moves on, hopefully the new signal caller will be ready.
That said, the elephant in the room is Stafford's contract. He has two years left and wants a reworked deal, so keeping him would likely require some restructuring or extension. For now, Rams fans should breathe a sigh of relief that it looks like Stafford is giving it another go with the Rams.