The Los Angeles Rams and superstar quarterback Matthew Stafford are closing in on a new contract ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Rams and superstar quarterback Matthew Stafford have made significant progress on a new contract.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday.
Stafford is coming off the best season of his career in 2025, earning his first MVP award. While the 38-year-old’s status for the upcoming season in Los Angeles has never been in doubt, there is some uncertainty beyond 2026.
This upcoming season, Stafford is scheduled to make $48.2 million. In the 2022 offseason, Stafford signed a four-year, $160 million extension. It included a $135 million in guaranteed money.
However, in 2024, the Rams adjusted the deal to increase his cash for that season by $5 million. Last season, the two sides reworked the contract after the Rams allowed him to speak with other teams about a trade.
The Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants were among the teams interested in making a move for Stafford. Ultimately, he remained in Los Angeles,
Still, the Rams would like to keep him beyond that point, but the decision will come down to how Stafford feels and whether he wants to continue playing. That will be the biggest and most lingering question of the season for the Rams.
It's unclear if there will be more years added to Stafford's pending contract or if this is to work out the details of what his financial picture will look like.
Nonetheless, as things stand, the Rams and Stafford are on good terms. So much so that Stafford reported for Day 1 of the Rams' voluntary offseason workouts on Monday.
Stafford's numbers were outstanding in 2025, as he led the league with 4,707 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, completed 388 passes with a completion percentage of 65 percent, and averaged 276.9 yards per game.
The Texas native is set to enter his sixth season in Los Angeles after he spent his first 12 years in the league with the Detroit Lions. Stafford has been solid in his time in Los Angeles.
In 74 games, Stafford has a 46-28 record, has completed 1,664 passes for 19,407 passing yards, 141 touchdowns, 52 interceptions, a 98.5 passer rating, and a 69.2 QBR.
Stafford will remain QB1 for as long as he chooses, but the Rams will eventually need to identify his successor.
Los Angeles could address that in this year’s draft with one of their seven picks, or explore a trade for a quarterback who can develop behind Stafford for a year or two.
The Rams could go a multitude of ways, but in the meantime, Stafford will be the man under center.