Analyst names 'best landing spot' for Rams' Matthew Stafford

The Athletic's Dianna Russini and Kamila Hinkson reported that "the Los Angeles Rams will meet with quarterback Matthew Stafford in person Friday to discuss his future" amid his desire to receive a pay raise from the Rams or a different team, such as the Las Vegas Raiders or New York Giants. 

For a piece published Friday morning, ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak explained why he feels the Raiders are "the best landing spot" for Stafford if he leaves the Rams. 

"They have a ton of cap space to quickly improve the roster around Stafford," Solak wrote. "They also have a general manager (John Spytek) who oversaw a veteran quarterback [acquisition] and build in his time with the Buccaneers, and that quarterback — (Raiders minority owner) Tom Brady — can counsel Stafford through the secrets of near-40 longevity. I also believe the Raiders would pay him $55M per year for the next four years. That's a pretty sweet bargain at 37 years old."

Spytek was a member of the Buccaneers' front office when the club signed Brady as a free agent in March 2020. Meanwhile, Russini and Hinkson said on Friday that the Raiders and Giants "have discussed two-year contracts for Stafford that include $90M to $100M guaranteed." Per ESPN's Jordan Raanan, "the prevailing thought around the league" when The Athletic story was published was that the Giants were viewed as "underdogs" for Stafford. 

Stafford is signed through the 2026 season and will make $27M for the 2025 campaign. 

The Rams may be looking to land at least a first-round draft pick in return for Stafford. NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY said earlier this week that the Giants "aren’t parting with" the No. 3 overall pick of the upcoming player-selection process. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal shared that "the Raiders will be hesitant to" send the Rams the sixth overall choice. 

Solak suggested that the Rams could accept a 2025 third-round pick, a 2026 second-round selection and a 2026 fourth-round choice that can become a third-round pick if Stafford hits performance incentives for the one-time Super Bowl champion, along with a 2025 sixth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round selection. That said, all indications are that Stafford and the Rams would welcome a reunion if they can reach a financial agreement. 

"The Raiders finding common ground with Stafford on a contract could help the Rams and Stafford to find their own common ground," Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith noted.