Matthew Stafford reportedly frustrated Rams by declining contract request

The relationship involving the Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford may not be on the best of terms this summer. 

FOX Sports personality Colin Cowherd recently shared that Stafford declined a request from the Rams to restructure the four-year contract extension he signed shortly after he guided the club to a Super Bowl championship in February 2022. 

"I was told by a source I trust that they wanted to redo his contract," Cowherd said about the Rams and Stafford, per Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire/USA Today. "He wasn’t interested. It limits what they can do and they were frustrated with him." 

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted Tuesday that Stafford's deal included $63M fully guaranteed at signing and $57M that became fully guaranteed this past March. Florio added that the Rams now "regret" giving Stafford so much guaranteed cash less than two years ago and also suggested the organization wanted the 35-year-old to "take less money" following all that occurred in 2022. 

Stafford dealt with lingering elbow issues throughout last offseason and largely played like a declining older signal-caller even before he was evaluated for concussions multiple times in November. A spinal cord contusion prematurely ended Stafford's campaign after he played in just nine games, and numerous rumors from the fall months through this March claimed he could retire ahead of the upcoming season. 

The Rams finished Week 18 at 5-12. 

Both Stafford and head coach Sean McVay returned for 2023 even though McVay apparently flirted with taking at least a year off from coaching. Cowherd indicated the Rams could consider moving on from Stafford as soon as next spring. 

"And I could also see them next year taking a quarterback because the way to catch up in this league with personnel is rookie quarterback, go buy four good players," Cowherd continued during the segment. 

It's no secret McVay is interested in future broadcasting opportunities and presumably could make the jump into a booth at any time beginning in 2024. If the Rams plummet down the league standings for a second straight season this coming fall, everyone involved could ultimately decide in January they need fresh starts that include both McVay and Stafford leaving the franchise in one way or another.