[Dare]

What this seems like is that they want Stafford back signed as a two year deal but essentially a one year deal, i.e. as a bridge QB. With the second year structured not as a void year but an option year in case the rookie bombs, and it would also spread the cap.

I'm not sure he would want to play that role. But it would give him one more shot at a ring. That said as someone else mentioned Kelly is going to have a say in this. His girls are at the best years a dad could have with his daughters. I think promises were made when he signed with the Rams it was for basically 4 years. Like I've been saying the remaining years were window dressing to spread the cap.

People say awww what's one more year? As a father, I know it's in fact asking a lot. My businesses kept me very busy but I always was home on weekends and we did things as a family. Later my son and I would go fishing or hiking together. I wouldn't trade those weekends for any amount of money. Time is the one thing you can never get more of. So I don't think it's a given he will do it. People keep saying he has a lot in his tank left. I'm not convinced after his late season fade this year. People especially here downgrade Jimmy but it's more that he was a Niner than how he's played. Like Stafford, Garoppolo is streaky. He's just a QB of a different flavor.

If Matt returns it will be interesting what his cap numbers will look like. Does he playout his 2025 contract numbers and then walk away in 2026? I think that is what the debate has been about. If they get someone like Leonard or McCord one red shirt year should be enough. If Matt stays I think they rework Kupp's contract and he would retire with Stafford at the end of the 2025 season.

I have no problem with Stafford playing one more year. What I would question is whether he was being counted on beyond a simple bridge year. That said, I hope if Matt stays, Jimmy doesn't end up in Seattle. I would rather he end up in the AFC.

I think we will know his answer next week. That said they will need a better backup than Stetson. Hopefully they will draft a QB this year to develop into the starter.

[ramman2999]

Sounds like Mcvay is kind of pissed and wants to know whats going on with Stafford this isn’t as guranteed as we think.

[Elvis]

If i get any sense from this, other than Stafford is going to be back, it's that McVay has already been thinking about what life without Stafford looks like and maybe he's excited and anxious to get to it...

[Zen_Ronin]

If i get any sense from this, other than Stafford is going to be back, it's that McVay has already been thinking about what life without Stafford looks like and maybe he's excited and anxious to get to it...

That's what it seems to be to me too. Sean just wants to know which way the wind is blowing so he can get down to business asap. Which you've got to respect.

[AvengerRam]

Sounds like Mcvay is kind of pissed and wants to know whats going on with Stafford this isn’t as guranteed as we think.

Nobody said anything is guaranteed, but McVay’s comments were pretty innocuous.

[Dare]

ramman2999 wrote: Sounds like Mcvay is kind of pissed and wants to know whats going on with Stafford this isn’t as guranteed as we think.

I totally agree. I keep thinking about what the media reporter said about her feeling Matt was talking like a guy who probably is gone. It's not only her. I've heard this from other sources back before the season when Stafford tried to leverage an extension with more guaranteed money. If he was in their plans they would be talking about it or would have done it then. But I think they are telling Stafford you can playout 2025 at your option and it was what he wanted before the season began. That's why they shifted $4M of 2025 to fully guaranteed. I don't think Kroenke is happy at this point. Matt knows he barely made it through the season and that was with 2 bye weeks for him. Kroenke must be looking at Stafford's threat before the season and now it's going to cost him $4M more it's looks like a pure shakedown. If I was Stan I wouldn't be happy at all.

You can tell by the plays McVay is calling now that Stafford simply can't do that he's got to be frustrated. Like I've always contended better a year early than a year late. They are at that year late stage. Stan is a hands off type of owner for the most part. But it wouldn't surprise me if he says enough of this BS and pulls the string himself.

It is BS to threaten to hold out demanding more guaranteed money before the season, then talking about retiring at the end of it. C'mon Stan just move on. Matt's head is fine but his body is wearing out. Just look how mediocre Stafford played weeks, 15-17 I knew then with no doubt he was done whether he could admit it or not. The defense carried this team into the playoffs.

This offense more than some is QB driven. Right now the kingpin is weakening. It may seem harsh but do you want them to fall short again? I will say it up front, the media is wrong. Matt is done. Under optimum conditions, i.e. well rested good weather or dome game he can put up enough points to win if the defense plays lights out. That is not the kind of team McVay wants. If you are going to get that level of QB play extend Jimmy at least he will be cheaper and IMO certainly no worse.

[Indrid Cold]

A lot of conjecture but given the potential dead cap the last thing the Rams want to do is show Stafford the door or have him retire. There's $49.33M of dead money sitting out there. And no one is pissed, IMO.

Not a lot of options. Do what they did last year to push money forward from 2026 to add to his $23M base. Guarantee the base...and perhaps something for next year if he's inclined to play 2 more years. His AAV for the next 2 years is $50M and $55M, so tons of money isn't needed to push him up the QB tier there.

And that's if he wants more, he could just play out this year at the current numbers.

[snackdaddy]

Stafford is still playing at a high level. It should be a no brainer for the team. If he wants to come back he's coming back. He might want more money but he won't be asking for top tier money. And he'd be better than a number of quarterbacks making more money. In fact, it would be a bargain for a guy his caliber.

[HarRam]

Stafford is one tough cookie, playing with cracked or bruised ribs, and playing as well as he did. Shows me that when he heals up, he is on an elite level. His comments after the game indicated to me that he feels he still has it in him. So, I don't think he's retiring. I think he plays. But, then again, he must recognize that no one can play forever and father-time catches up to everybody, so he wants to maximize his salary, and he clips his statement when he starts talking about next year, for fear of losing leverage in salary negotiations. But, I don't know who else he could/would play for and get more money than the Rams would be willing to pay him and have as a productive year that would make it worth-the-while.

As far as developing a new starting QB, Justin Fields is who I'd go with. He has the physical tools, but needs a QB whisperer like Sean McVay and company.

[ramman2999]

Great point Dare.