Rams' Matthew Stafford enjoying comeback season amid uncertainty

Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford insists the Los Angeles Rams aren't merely going through the motions as uncertainty hovers over his and the club's futures.

"There definitely is a lot of pride for guys that have been here for a while," Stafford told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated after the Rams squandered a 23-0 lead but then defeated the Indianapolis Colts 29-23 in overtime on Sunday. "I’m not into evaluating it before it’s all done. I think the biggest thing for me is I’m enjoying the hell out of having the opportunity to go out there and compete. I feel like we’re getting that from everybody." 

Stafford dealt with a lingering elbow issue in 2022, suffered a spinal cord contusion last fall and reportedly "frustrated" the Rams when he declined this past offseason to restructure the four-year contract extension he signed after the 2021 campaign. The 35-year-old who was the subject of retirement and trade rumors throughout the spring and summer months was linked with the New York Jets in September after they lost Aaron Rodgers to a torn Achilles but seemingly isn't going anywhere anytime soon after he helped the Rams improve to 2-2 on Sunday. 

It's assumed Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay could step away from the team as soon as this coming winter to accept a broadcasting job if a national gig becomes available. Stafford seems to be ignoring any such chatter and instead is embracing his role with a team that clearly isn't "tanking" with next year's draft in mind four weeks into the season. 

"...I’m just enjoying the opportunity to go out to compete, every single play, every game, every practice," Stafford added during his chat with Breer. "This is a fun team to be a part of because guys are enjoying that opportunity. I’m trying to do the same." 

According to ESPN stats, Stafford began Monday ranked 12th in the NFL among qualified players with a 59.7 adjusted QBR even though he tossed three touchdown passes and five interceptions across his first four starts of the season. He finished Sunday ranked second in the league with 1,229 passing yards on the campaign, and OddsChecker listed Stafford as tied for fourth among the betting favorites at +2000 odds to earn Comeback Player of the Year honors as of Monday afternoon. 

The Rams host the 4-0 Philadelphia Eagles this coming Sunday.