Who will be the next quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams once Matthew Stafford decides to call it quits?
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming off the best season of his career. Stafford won his first NFL MVP award and led the Rams to the NFC Championship despite some roster inefficiencies.
The Rams have made it clear this early into the offseason that they are all-in for the 2026 season. Stafford will be under center for the team this fall, but anything beyond that is unclear.
The 38-year-old is set to enter his 18th season, and it’s evident he’s much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Los Angeles will need to start thinking about life after Stafford sooner rather than later, and there are a handful of potential paths they could take.
While drafting a quarterback remains the most logical long-term solution, it doesn’t appear likely that L.A. will make that move in this year’s draft.
Here are three options the Rams could look at next offseason.
Kyler Murray
The former No. 1 overall pick has had a rough go of it the past few seasons. From injuries to inconsistent play, it hasn't been easy for Murray. However, he will likely get a second chance with the Minnesota Vikings this season.
He's under a one-year deal and is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2027. If Murray can bounce back in a big way in 2026, he will be highly sought after in 2027. The Rams could be among those teams, especially if Stafford decides to hang up his cleats.
Head coach Sean McVay could be particularly interested, especially if Kliff Kingsbury remains part of the staff. Kingsbury has expressed a strong belief in Murray's ability and has called him a "generational" talent. He's high on Murray and would likely advocate for him to be in Los Angeles if they require a quarterback next season.
Anthony Richardson
It’s been a rocky three seasons for Richardson. The Indianapolis Colts took a chance on the Florida product after he appeared in just 24 college games for the Florida Gators football, making only 13 starts.
The 23-year-old has had a tough transition to the NFL, but a change of scenery—particularly with the Los Angeles Rams under head coach Sean McVay—could do wonders for his development.
Richardson still has a ton of untapped potential. He brings elite arm strength, rare size, and explosiveness, along with the ability to make off-platform throws. His scrambling and rushing ability also make him an ideal fit for today’s game.
That said, there are legitimate concerns. His early career has been marred by injuries, and durability remains a significant question mark moving forward.
Nonetheless, if there is one coach who could get the most out of Richardson, it is McVay.
Spencer Rattler
Rattler is far from the sexiest name on this list, but he's shown he can play, coming off a solid 2025 season.
He started in eight of the nine games he played. In the span, Rattler tallied 174 completions for 1,586 passing yards and a completion percentage of 67.7 percent, along with eight touchdowns and five interceptions.
The 25-year-old once carried high expectations as a prospect coming out of high school, but he has yet to fully live up to that billing. Still, Rattler possesses intriguing upside and could develop in the right system—especially one like that of McVay.
Rattler has shown flashes, but inconsistent decision-making and footwork have held him back. Under McVay’s guidance, those areas could be refined, potentially helping him take his game to the next level.