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Matthew Stafford makes big decision on NFL future

The LA Rams topped the NFC West in 2024 but lost in the Divisional round to the Eagles. What next for their quarterback?

What is Matthew Stafford’s salary with the Rams?
CHRISTIAN PETERSENAFP

The LA Rams are in pretty good shape heading into the offseason but there’s a few key areas where there is still work to do.

After a 10-4 run in their last 14 games of 2024 the Rams have established themselves as real contenders in the NFC. Nevertheless the front office will be looking to improve the linebacker options and the fate of quarterback Matthew Stafford is a top priority.

Stafford, who turns 37 next month, is one of the oldest QBs in the league but he performed at a high level in 2024 and looks capable of continuing in the NFL. He is yet to issue a definitive status on his future but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that he is not planning to hang up his boots just yet.

Rapoport explains: “My understanding is Matthew Stafford does in fact plan to play next season. This is essentially what he sort of communicated to the Rams. Wanted to take some time off and basically told them, ‘I feel good. I don’t see why I wouldn’t play‘. My understanding, again, he plans to play. Now, that is not exactly the whole story for the Rams."

How much is Matthew Stafford’s contract with the Rams?

Stafford joined the Rams in 2021 after more than a decade with the Detroit Lions and immediately found success in LA. He helped the LA Rams to Super Bowl LVI and signed a four-year deal worth $160 million.

Figures published on Spotrac show that this year Stafford has a base salary of $23.5 million with a signing bonus of $12 million. A recent restructuring bags Stafford a bonus of $4.16 million and an option bonus of $6.5 million. All that adds up to a total salary cap hit of $46.16 million, the third-highest in NFL this season. Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals ($49.12 million) and Daniel Jones of the New York Giants ($47.86 million) are the only two with higher cap hits.

He is still performing on the field but that post-Super Bowl deal was restructured last year to free up some cap space for the team. However that means that his cap hit for 2025 would be $49.6 million, a huge amount for the team’s finances to bare. The Rams can save $27 million by trading Stafford elsewhere but if, as looks likely, he stays in LA, another contract restructuring will be required.

The contract negotiations ahead of the 2024 season dragged on for months and threatened to disrupt the teams preseason preparations. Speaking recently, Rams head coach Sean McVay insisted that the process would be sped up this time around.

“We don’t want to have that go on again,” he told ESPN. “I don’t think that’s good for anybody. I think sooner than later, being able to get that clarity. Understanding clear, open and honest communication. I think there’s a lot of love coming from our part. I think there’s a lot of appreciation coming from his part as well. And I think a lot sooner than later is an ideal scenario.”

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