Rams GM addresses uncertain future of Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay recently reiterated he wants Matthew Stafford to remain the team's starting quarterback. McVay also suggested that the Rams weren't giving Stafford an ultimatum on when the veteran would have to make his plans known. 

It sounds like the Rams are willing to wait Stafford out. 

Rams, Matthew Stafford have had "productive conversations"

"I think we’ve had productive conversations with him," Rams general manager Les Snead said about Stafford while speaking with reporters on Wednesday, per Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register. "So we’re going to give him his space to, let’s call it, recover, rejuvenate and then determine, 'Hey, do we want to get back on this horse again and go chase, earn, grab special moments together?'" 

In late January, a report hinted that Stafford hadn't yet decided whether he wanted to keep playing. Shortly after the Rams suffered a 31-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, he raised eyebrows when he declined to confirm anything about his intentions for the 2026 season.

Stafford seemingly has plenty left in the tank and very well may be the reigning regular-season Most Valuable Player when he turns 38 years old on Feb. 7. Additionally, history suggests he won't play for any team other than the Rams at this point in his career. He flirted with joining either the New York Giants or Las Vegas Raiders last winter before he accepted less money than what he could have received had he been traded to stay with the Rams via a short-term agreement.

Stafford reportedly is due to make $40M in the final campaign of his existing deal.

Rams ready to go all-in to help Matthew Stafford win another Super Bowl? 

"...If Matthew decides to come back, I do think there’ll be an element of – whether it’s 51-49, whether it’s 52-48, whether it’s 60-40 – let’s definitely make the most of the time we have with Matthew," Snead added. "Because…the type of season that he’s still showing he can have, there’s only so many of those left. Those are some moments that you want to take advantage of." 

The door is open for Stafford to stay atop the Los Angeles depth chart through at least next January. One would think the Rams may need to offer him a bit of a raise to get him to walk through that opening before the new league year gets underway in March.