NFL Rumors: Matthew Stafford, Rams Reportedly Restructure Contract To Remain With Team

Matthew Stafford led the Los Angeles Rams to the playoffs during the 2024 season and is running it back in 2025.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the 37-year-old and the Rams agreed to a restructured contract to keep him with the team and "quashes any and all trade speculation" that had cropped up around the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants in recent days.

Stafford potentially retiring was a topic of conversation after the Rams lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round. He was asked about it in the postgame press conference and told reporters: "It's 30 minutes after the last game. I'll take some time to think about it."

Yet he also said "sure feels like it" when asked if he still believed he was capable of playing at a high level in future seasons.

The decision to return underscores that belief, although some of the retirement speculation also came from a postgame Instagram post from his wife, Kelly, that said: "Aren't enough words to express how proud I am. I joke about us being old and tired but honestly I could never get tired of watching you out there or watching our girls cheer for their daddy. I'm wondering if this is the end or not... guess we will find out."

The NFL world found out Friday, and the decision to return is anything but surprising considering Stafford is under contract through the 2026 season.

He also played well in 2024 and completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions while leading an impressive turnaround. Los Angeles started 1-4 and seemed well on its way to missing the playoffs for the second time in three years but went 9-2 in the next 11 contests to clinch an NFC West crown.

It was the Rams' first division title since their Super Bowl-winning 2021 campaign, and they also defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round.

That Super Bowl title made Stafford a Rams legend regardless of what happened after that, but he largely defied his age the last two seasons after he was limited to nine games in 2022. He was a Pro Bowler in 2023 and also helped the team reach the playoffs that season while throwing for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Had Stafford retired, he would have ended his career all over the all-time passing leaderboards.

After all, he is 10th in NFL history in passing yards (59,809) and passing touchdowns (377), which underscores his consistency, longevity and durability during a career that also includes 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions in addition to his four years with the Rams.

But the Hall of Fame case can wait for the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft, as he is coming back for another season in Los Angeles.