Report: Matthew Stafford Took Less Money on Rams Contract from Giants, Raiders Offers

Matthew Stafford is getting a raise with his new Los Angeles Rams deal, but he reportedly could have gotten more from other interested teams.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported Monday that "the parameters agreed to will bring Stafford a very significant raise for 2025." However "he’s taking less than" the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders offered to pay him if he were traded.

Breer noted that the Giants had been high on Stafford for several weeks, pursuing the quarterback since it became known that he could be available following the end of the season. According to Breer, a trade to send Stafford to New York would have involved the Giants' 34th overall pick in the upcoming draft.

New York's No. 3 pick was "never in the equation" in a potential deal. Neither was the Raiders No. 6 pick.

Ultimately, Stafford chose the comfort of staying with his current team over the significant pay raise he could have received with either Las Vegas or New York. Breer noted that Stafford's love for Southern California and head coach Sean McVay were "the simplest, yet biggest factors" in his decision to stay.

Stafford's best years may be behind him, but he's coming off another solid season in which he recorded 3,762 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He helped the Rams overcome a rough start to win nine of their last 12 games and secure a playoff spot.

In the postseason, Los Angeles upset the Minnesota Vikings with a dominant 27-9 win before falling just short against the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.

Stafford is likely entering the twilight of his career, but the 2024 season was a good indication that he's still capable of leading a playoff-caliber team. Now back with Los Angeles on a restructured deal, he'll look to fuel another postseason run.