Why Rams, Matthew Stafford could be headed toward another awkward offseason

The Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford worked out a short-term agreement during the offseason for Stafford to stay put, and the 37-year-old has since become a legitimate MVP candidate for the ongoing season. 

On Wednesday, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN explained how "Stafford's MVP campaign only deepens the intrigue with his contractual future in Los Angeles" beyond February 2026. 

Does Matthew Stafford have more leverage regarding future than he did this past offseason?

"If either side presses the red button -- asking for a new deal or exploring a trade again -- then Stafford will rival Daniel Jones for the most fascinating QB deal this offseason," Fowler shared. "No passer is playing better than [Stafford] is, lending considerable leverage if he decides to use it. On the flip side, the Rams have been pretty firm that they aren't interested in the $50M per year market that 11 established (but much younger than Stafford) quarterbacks enjoy."

The Rams won seven of their first nine games this season thanks largely to Stafford's efforts. According to Pro Football Reference, he heads into Week 11 ranked sixth in the NFL among qualified players with a 69.2 adjusted QBR, fourth with a 114.8 passer rating, first with 269.7 passing yards per game and first with 25 total passing touchdowns. He thus far has tossed only two interceptions this season, the last of which occurred in Week 3. 

That said, Stafford has been the subject of on-again, off-again retirement rumors since he dealt with a spinal cord contusion during the 2022 season. More recently, he was slowed by a lingering back problem this past summer. 

Rams may not have to do anything regarding status of Matthew Stafford

"Stafford is owed $40M in 2026, which becomes guaranteed on the fifth day of the new league year," Fowler added. "With the Stafford-Rams marriage thriving, perhaps L.A. will try to avoid the drama and simply ride out that last year at the current rate. The Rams' front office has been going year-to-year with Stafford, anyway, knowing retirement wasn't off the table. And the offseason overtures from other teams only reinforced Stafford's desire to stay in Los Angeles; he just wanted to be respected with a stronger deal." 

It remains to be seen how the Rams would respond if Stafford makes it clear he wants to keep playing beyond the 2026 season. For now, he'll simply try to remain hot when the 7-2 Rams host the Seattle Seahawks (7-2) this coming Sunday for a battle that will determine the NFC West's first-place team. 

As of early Wednesday afternoon, ESPN BET had the Rams as 3.5-point favorites for that matchup.