Reporter floats Rams QB Matthew Stafford as trade candidate amid Cooper Kupp rumors 

After an underwhelming 2-4 start, are the Los Angeles Rams ready to enter a rebuild?

On Tuesday, The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Mike Silver and Jourdan Rodrigue reported the Rams are considering trading 31-year-old WR Cooper Kupp. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio suggested they also consider sending quarterback Matthew Stafford elsewhere.

"The Rams have been taking a year-to-year approach to Stafford," wrote Florio. "A 2024 revision to his contract, aimed at giving him security beyond the season, didn't provide much. Retirement by Stafford, an offseason release or a trade is possible. Why not trade him now?"

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently tabbed Stafford as a player to watch before the Nov. 5 trade deadline and floated the Las Vegas Raiders as a potential landing spot.   

It's not clear how much longer Stafford can play. The 36-year-old QB has battled injuries over the past few seasons. In 2022, he suffered a season-ending spine injury, and he dealt with a right thumb issue last season. 

If Stafford wants to play in 2025, the Rams may have to restructure his contract again. Stafford has two years remaining on a four-year, $160M deal, which includes an option in 2026.

Spotrac estimates L.A. will have $51.583M in cap room next offseason, and the QB will have the team's largest cap hit ($53.666M).  

Trading Stafford and acquiring draft capital would make sense for the Rams. The two-time Pro Bowler may attract multiple suitors if he becomes available. He ranks second among active players in passing yards (57,439) and second in passing touchdowns (360). 

In free agency, the Rams signed former San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who could be a stopgap. 

Stafford and Co. won Super Bowl LVI in February 2022, but the Rams are no longer a championship contender. As of Tuesday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives them a 13.4 percent chance to make the playoffs, the worst in the NFC West.  

Perhaps it's time for the franchise to start preparing for the future and move on from aging stars like Kupp and Stafford.