Rams in dialogue with QB Matthew Stafford about contract concerns
Stafford, 36, signed a four-year, $160 million extension in 2022 following the Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory, but he is seeking more guaranteed money in his contract beyond the 2024 season.
HERMOSA BEACH — The Rams have had discussions with quarterback Matthew Stafford about concerns related to his contract, head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Friday.
NFL Network first reported Friday that Stafford was seeking more guaranteed money in his contract past the 2024 season.
Stafford, 36, signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Rams in 2022 following their Super Bowl LVI victory. But the veteran signal caller opted for a team-friendly deal that has no guaranteed money for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
The 13-year veteran missed eight games in 2022 with a series of injuries, including a spinal cord contusion. But Stafford looked like his vintage self in 2023, completing 62.6% of his passes for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
After missing the Rams’ Week 9 loss to the Green Bay Packers with a thumb injury, Stafford came back to lead the team to six wins in the next seven games to clinch a playoff spot. He threw for 16 touchdowns to four interceptions in that span before sitting out Week 18 to rest before the playoffs.
“I’ve had good dialogue with Matthew,” McVay said. “There’s nothing that’s more important than making sure that he feels appreciated and he knows how much we love him and want him to lead the way. I think that commitment that I think he wants to have can be reciprocated and we want to work towards figuring that out.”
McVay said Stafford has participated in voluntary workouts this month, but stopped short of guaranteeing Stafford would be at OTAs in May.
“We’re definitely jacked to have Matthew as our QB,” general manager Les Snead added.