Matthew Stafford Rumors: Rams Eye New Contract; QB's Trade Market Would 'Be Robust'

The Los Angeles Rams are hopeful of restructuring Matthew Stafford's contract but haven't ruled out trading the veteran quarterback.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter have a "strong interest" in bringing Stafford back but that his deal is "untenable" under its current terms.

"He's going to need a new deal and if for some reason they can't work that out, there will be a strong trade market for Matthew Stafford," Fowler said. "It will be robust."

Stafford counts for $49.7 million against the salary in 2025, and the Rams are projected to have $38.3 million in cap space.

While general manager Les Snead has some flexibility, replacing wide receiver Cooper Kupp won't be cheap. The same goes for re-signing offensive tackle Alaric Jackson, who has a $16 million annual valuation from Spotrac, or finding a successor at his position.

Trading Stafford wouldn't even be much of a cost-savings maneuver if it happens early into the offseason. Moving him before June 1 would save the Rams just $4.3 million and put $45.3 million in dead money on the books.

But getting a solid draft pick or two would make the endeavor worth it. The Rams have a promising young roster as Snead has deftly managed the pivot away from the win-now approach that resulted in a Super Bowl triumph.

Stafford threw for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions this past year despite Kupp and Puka Nacua missing 11 combined games. He ranked 12th in QBR (64.7), per ESPN.com.

It's easy to see why the Rams would want to keep the 37-year-old around. He may not be worth having at the fifth-highest cap hit at the quarterback position, though. This is probably the time to make a firm decision about his long-term future, too, when he's two years out from free agency.