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Rams' asking price for Matthew Stafford revealed
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Rams' asking price for Matthew Stafford revealed

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been the subject of multiple trade rumors this offseason.

The 37-year-old quarterback has two years remaining on his current contract but is seeking an extension that would have him closer to the league's highest-paid signal callers.

Fox Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported Wednesday that the Rams are seeking a premium pick in return for Stafford.

"Several teams, per league sources, have called [Los Angeles] about Stafford and the belief is a first-round pick would probably be the asking price should the Rams choose to make a deal," Schultz wrote. "Again, the Rams want him back (he also carries a $49.3 million cap hit in if released) and there's been nothing to this point that would suggest Stafford doesn't want to play for them, but this is undoubtedly one of the biggest storylines heading into free agency next month."

Trading Stafford would cost the Rams a $45.3 million dead cap hit in 2025 and approximately $23 million in 2026. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback is scheduled to earn $23 million, including only $4 million guaranteed in 2025.

It may be a head-scratching development, as the Rams still have multiple years of control on Stafford's contract but remember, Cooper Kupp is seemingly on the trade block after posting on Twitter that the team "will be seeking a trade immediately" earlier in February.

Kupp's relationship with Stafford has been well-documented, and the decision to move Kupp may have irked the star quarterback.

Stafford is still one of the league's top quarterbacks, but Kupp's inevitable departure signals the team is turning the page and looking toward the future.

Aaron Rodgers has been rumored to replace Stafford if the Rams can orchestrate a trade with a team willing to part with a first-round pick.

Transitioning to the often disgruntled, 41-year-old quarterback should not be the move Los Angeles ultimately makes. It does not make much sense in any circumstance.

In terms of football, Rodgers is a shell of his former self and is arguably a bottom-10 quarterback in the NFL. In addition, Rodgers is four years older than Stafford. It would be cheaper to have Rodgers, but it is not worth the discount.

Stafford led the Rams to a division title despite starting the season 1-4 with the offensive line falling apart during that stretch, an over-the-hill Kupp and a young and developing defense.

It is hard to believe a team with Los Angeles' aspirations would want to deal with a player like Rodgers, who has continually created chaos and dysfunction over the last three years with the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets.

If the Rams are serious about exploring the trade market for Stafford, they should have a long-term answer in place. Perhaps the team is eyeing a quarterback in the upcoming draft and envision Rodgers serving as a bridge option.

If that is the route the Rams choose, they should look into drafting former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, who can sit and learn behind Rodgers. The question is, would that be something Rodgers would be on board with?

Nonetheless, even if Stafford is no longer part of the equation, the Rams have a bright future with Sean McVay at the helm.

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