Raiders? Giants? $100 million? No thanks: These are the reasons why Matthew Stafford stayed with the Rams

Back in February, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford signed a contract that will keep him with the team for the next two years. The details of that deal have only just now come out.

Matthew Stafford values life in LA over money

The Rams took a gamble back in February when they let Stafford look around for a trade and a significant raise with another NFL team. They were hoping that Stafford would choose to stay with the team anyway because he valued his life in Los Angeles and his relationship with head coach Sean McVay. They turned out to be right.

The Rams re-worked Stafford’s contract to give him $80 million over the next two years, without adding extra contract years - an unusual raise structure that shows just how much they value him. $4 million of that was already paid out in a March roster bonus. He has four $6 million option bonuses ($24 million total), and a $16 million base for this year. Next year is the same. 2025’s money is fully guaranteed at signing, and 2026’s is fully guaranteed in March, on the fifth day of the league year. There are eight void years on the back of the deal as well, which coupled with the bonuses, gives the Rams a lot of cap flexibility.

When all is said and done, Stafford is getting a $26 million raise ($17 this year and $9 in 2026). Despite the significant raise over what he was making previously, however, other teams like the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders were reportedly willing to sign Stafford for a lot more money still - in the range of $50 million+ annually. They were reportedly willing to exceed $100 million over the next two years.

Stafford chose to reject those offers and take less to stay in Los Angeles. He enjoys the life he’s built there with his four kids and the camaraderie he has with his teammates and McVay.

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