The first order of business for the Los Angeles Rams this offseason is determining whether Matthew Stafford will be back with the team in 2025. He’s under contract for two more years but with little guaranteed money left, he and the Rams will likely need to work out a new deal to keep him in L.A.
Dan Graziano of ESPN shared some encouraging news on Saturday morning when he reported that Stafford is likely to return to the Rams in 2025, according to sources close to the situation.
It makes sense for the Rams and Stafford to continue their partnership for at least another year, given Los Angeles’ wide-open Super Bowl window and Stafford’s experience in Sean McVay’s offense. Graziano notes that the Rams will still need to get something done with Stafford’s contract, but it sounds like there isn’t much concern about that being worked out.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is likely to return to L.A. in 2025, according to sources close to the situation. The past two seasons have been good for Stafford, who turned 37 on Friday and believes the Rams’ leadership gives them the ability to contend every year.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler added that he’s talked to people in the Rams’ building and they “don’t sound overly concerned about Stafford leaving, despite the tricky contract situation.”
Here’s what Fowler wrote about Stafford’s future:
By all accounts, Stafford was happy with the direction of the offense this season, and multiple people with the team say it doesn’t seem as if changes are coming. But other teams will inevitably call the Rams to gauge trade interest anyway. Stafford will be the top quarterback available if Los Angeles entertains the idea of moving him.
The Rams don’t have a clear succession plan in the event that Stafford does leave, which only makes it more likely that he’ll be back for another year. That will allow Los Angeles to plan for the future by drafting a quarterback this offseason or next, finding its next franchise leader who can take over after Stafford retires.
Assuming Stafford returns, the Rams should be viewed as a serious contender in the NFC again next season.